What is the difference between LPNs and RNs?

Bruin's Mom · Jun 17, 2011

Wow! So much dislike for other nurses! There has been talk for years about phasing out LPN's. Personally, I don't think it will ever happen. Most LTC's and ALF's are staffed w/ mainly LPN's. While it is true that some LPN programs are only one year long, not all of the are. My LPN training was at a CC and the program was 3 years with the first two semesters being 2 semesters of A & P, 2 semesters of chem, micro, psych, English, etc. The last four semesters were all nursing classes, including theory, and clinicals. I graduated w/ an AD in practical nursing. When I applied to the BSN bridge program my advisor told me that I'd basically completed an ADN program. I was trained as an LPN and do not consider myself an RN. I work w/i the scope of my practice.
That being said, I have occasionally told an RN how to do their job....when they are new to hospice nursing and have questions. Heck, my DON will sometimes ask me how I would handle a particular pt or problem. This isn't because I'm smarter than her, it's simply that I have 12 yrs experience compared to her 3 yrs experience. She doesn't feel threatened by me.
Anywhere I've ever worked, we've had great team work between the RN, LPN, and CNA. I'm sorry you have worked w/ some less than good nurses. May I offer you something a dear friend tells me when I'm upset about something someone has done? "Don't let those people live in your head rent free". :redbeathe Have a great day!

LPN's are one of the reasons why I want out of nursing. They have ruined my total outlook and faith in the nursing profession. No LPN has the right to tell an RN how to do their job. I show no respect toward LPN's no matter how much they experience they have. I have been put with LPN's to be oriented into new positions, are you kidding me? I have a four year degree and was an LPN. It seems like LPN's do not want to better themselves and are content just being LPN's. I am so angry and disgusted that I let little people like LPN's ruin my attitude toward my career. In my last job, my supervisor kept saying "LPN's and RN's here do the same thing." Really? I don't think so now or ever. LPN's I feel have brought down the nursing profession and made a mockery of RN's everywhere. :mad:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

Let's stay on topic, people.

The original question was, "What is the difference between LPNs and RNs?" Let's continue to answer this question without making insulting or derogatory statements about LPNs. Thank you all for your cooperation. :)

allnurses Guide · Jun 17, 2011

just a quick word! to the commuter bruin mom we have quite a diverse number of nursing backgrounds here and those generalized provocative comments serve no purpose at all .

nurselovejoy88. here in ca, lvn's make almost $30-$40 less than rn's do...

huh?

$30-$40 dollars a what less than you do? if you are talking about an hou.rly rate an experienced rn might break even and everyone else would be paying their employer a few dollars an hour to let them work there.

there is no hard and fast rule. yes, i made more than an rn working with me in home health at one agency at another they made $5 to $7 more per hour. too many variables to state with certainty.

i would not become an lvn if i were starting out without some really pressing need to get out of school quickly and only then with a firm plan to bridge to rn. the available areas to work have drastically decreased since i started. the ana has wanted all nurses to have a bsn since 1964, but they have no legal authority to do anything but lobby for their cause. the economy plus huge number of unemployed new grads is making that a reality.

Bruin's Mom · Jun 17, 2011

Let's stay on topic, people.
The original question was, "What is the difference between LPNs and RNs?" Let's continue to answer this question without making insulting or derogatory statements about LPNs. Thank you all for your cooperation. :)

No comment made was derogatory just factual. In addition, it is my first amdendment to free speech whether offensive or not.

Bruin's Mom · Jun 17, 2011

just a quick word! to the commuter bruin mom we have quite a diverse number of nursing backgrounds here and those generalized provocative comments serve no purpose at all .
huh? $30-$40 dollars a what less than you do? if you are talking about an hou.rly rate an experienced rn might break even and everyone else would be paying their employer a few dollars an hour to let them work there.
there is no hard and fast rule. yes, i made more than an rn working with me in home health at one agency at another they made $5 to $7 more per hour. too many variables to state with certainty.
i would not become an lvn if i were starting out without some really pressing need to get out of school quickly and only then with a firm plan to bridge to rn. the available areas to work have drastically decreased since i started. the ana has wanted all nurses to have a bsn since 1964, but they have no legal authority to do anything but lobby for their cause. the economy plus huge number of unemployed new grads is making that a reality.

everyone here is entitled to an opinion which includes myself; therefore, i will express that however i see fit.

AngelicDarkness · Jun 18, 2011

Everyone here is entitled to an opinion which includes myself; therefore I will express that however I see fit.[/quote']
Which is fine, however to put down my skills and place me in a generalized category when you don't even know me is not. We are all entitled to an opinion, but when one out to just insult and offend people..... I just don't find it appropriate.

Fiona59 · Jun 18, 2011

But... it's her Consititutional Right!!!!

joanna73, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

Wow, Bruin's mom. The statement "I show no respect to LVNs no matter how much experience they have."

That's very harsh. I'm sure we can all learn something from each other. Maybe that LVN might be more proficient at a certain skill. We're supposed to be there for the patient, not all the infighting. And...before there's a comment made to the effect that maybe I'm a bitter LVN...no. I'm an RN. However, regardless of a title, we should all be respectful.

Scrubby · Jun 18, 2011

AlBruin's Mom is that if you show the same level of disrespect towards LPN's in real life as you do here on allnurses you'll get as much help from them as you deserve

In Australia we have Enrolled Nurses which are the equivelant of an LPN. There is a difference in level of accountability. EN's work under the supervision of an RN and do not practice independently.

diva rn, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

You know, Bruins mom, I am another Rn with many years of experience in many difference areas of nursing. I am masters prepared....I have been a DON and a manager as well as a staff Rn. I have worked with many well prepared and competent LPN's especially in Hospice over the years.

I would work with any one of them any day of the week.

I would not, however, work with you!!!!!!!

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

Isitpossible said:

im in an RN program, and my professor stated that the difference between RN and LPN is:
LPNS cant assess, hang IV's or do patient teaching...

I have never heard that a LPN is not allowed do patient teaching. That makes no sense to me.

SamiRN · Jun 19, 2011

My statement may be a generalization; however there are enough RN's out there that can and would admit that the majority of LPN's want to be RN's and can't so therefore they do cause issues for some RN's. I have had LPN's try and tell me how to do my job, have made up lies about my work, eavesdroped on conversations I was having with other RN's then tell the supervisor a totally different story. I have heard that the ANA is trying to get rid of LPN's and I certainly hope they do. LPN's have one year of education and think they know so much. I had LPN's try to tell me how do my job, I don't think so.:)[/quote']
OH MY. REALLY? I was an LPN. I was multi state licensed. I worked everything, med surg,telemetry,ER,etc. I knew what the state allowed me to do and I stayed within the guidelines. I have never told anyone how to do their job, although I think some nurses need to start school all over but who I am I to say....
I am now an RN, multi state licensed. I work many areas again. I do not mind for a second helping an LPN out. In fact a couple of the LPNs that i work with run circles around the RNs on that floor. If my life was on the line, Id have them come to my aid before the RNs. I have met some horrible RNs, as well as some horrible LPNs. Its the person and the pride they take in their work as well as the way they treat people. I dont believe that a title makes a person better than another. To finish my LPN I went to school through a regular college, it took me 18 months. I took everything the RNs did except the last 2 semesters. I then went back and got my RN when I decided thats the career I was staying with. ( i have a BA in law also)
The thing i hate most about nursing is the cattiness of nurses. Nurses do eat their young. I hate the gossip. I refuse to take part in any of it. I simply say" I dont want to know her business".As for LPNs making up lies,RNs dont lie? Gossip?
I help everyone i can, even if I am very very busy. I was a CNA before an LPN, I know how hard their job is too.
I commend anyone that goes back to further their education but dont ever do it because you feel you need to prove something to someone else, do it only if it will make you happy.
"To thine own self be true"