What is the main difference between LPN and RN

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I need to write a paper on a popular debate for a class I'm taking. In the rural hospital I work in there is often the phrase "LPN"s can do almost everything an RN can do, yet they get paid the big bucks" floating around. I am not agreeing with this statement or disagreeing with it...I just hear it a lot and would like some thoughts from other nurses....both LPNs and RNs for my paper. Thanks in advance for your time and assistance. Please let's not get nasty with each other....just straight forward comments would be appreciated.

Are you in a RN program now? Since you've already worked as an LPN, I'd imagine you might have an opinion on this. Would you mind sharing?

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Specializes in Bein ru.

I don't really know what the "main" difference is. I know that the RN's in my hospital are responsible and are designated in charge when the nurse manager is away. I work in a rural hospital in a small town in alberta canada so as far as skills go.....we (LPN's) take part in a lot. We work in ICU, labour and delivery, emergency, and many more sometimes all in the same shift! Most of the RN's in this hospital are diploma nurses rather than degree. As I am now a student in a RN degree program I'm not quite sure of the differences yet when it comes to management. In the hospital I work in there is not a huge difference in the role an lpn plays to the role an rn plays besides the fact that they hand out the daily assignmnets and take charge when it needs to be taken.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
LPN's may never push IV Rx (so watch - someone will say they do in their state), may not do admission assessments.
Never say never, because these regulations vary from state to state. Texas LVNs are legally allowed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners to push IV medications and engage in IV therapy, provided they have completed a course in IV therapy. The only things Texas LVNs are not legally allowed to do, with regard to IV therapy, are hang and spike blood and start and stop TPN (total parenteral nutrition).
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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

Yeah, I was talking to an LVN in Texas, and she said there were certain drugs she had to have the RN sign for and the hospital has a list called "Drugs LVNs are allowed to administer via IV" So many small differences :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.

In my state, Missouri, there are only 2 things that an LPN cannot do. IV pushes and spiking the blood for a blood transfusion.;)

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Specializes in CCU, MICU, SICU, TELE, MED/SURG.

What is the technical difference between an LPN, LVN and BSN? I know about their responsibilities but are BSN nurses considered technicians if their scope of practice is wider?

I too am writing a paper and I'm not too clear as to what the differences are. I work with a lot of LPN's who are super caring, bright and extremely smart. They do get paid the same differencials as a nurse but the salaries are not the same.

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Scope

LPNs-Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) - as they are called in Texas and California - work under the supervision of a licensed professional (usually an RN; sometimes a Physician). They have career-focused skills training in Nursing, and provide basic hands-on care that helps to improve the health of generally stable patients.

RNs-RNs have a greater level of responsibility. They develop plans of care that they and others follow, and are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. RNs provide hands-on care, typically for patients whose conditions are not stable, or patients whose needs are more complex than those who are cared for by an LPN.

Advancement

LPNs-Some experienced LPNs supervise Nursing Assistants and Aides, however the most popular path of advancement for an LPN is to continue their education to become an RN.

RNs-Many RNs eventually earn a BSN and MSN. With this continuing education, RNs can become Nurse Educators or work in advanced practice specialties as Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Practitioners, Midwives, or Nurse Anesthetists. Another potential path is to move into Healthcare Management.

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Specializes in Oncology.

In my state LPNs cannot do assessments or education. Skill wise, they cannot give medications IV push, hang blood products, give chemo, or titrate drips.

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Specializes in Vascular Access.
In my state, Missouri, there are only 2 things that an LPN cannot do. IV pushes and spiking the blood for a blood transfusion.;)

Ahh, Not true!!

In Missouri, a LPN can't administer Chemotherapy, can't admix medications, can't place or d/c any IV catheter over 3 inches in length, can't access or deaccess an implanted port. An LPN can not give IVP medications UNLESS the patient's life is threatened, then he or she may administer the IV push medication. You are correct, however, in respect to the inability to hang blood or blood products.

:coollook:

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R.N. means Registered Nurse. L.P.N. means Licensed Practical Nurse. Each state has different rules about what each group is allowed to do for the patient. In general the practice has been that R.N.'s can perform more invasive techniques - while LPN's generally do not perform invasive techniques. R.N.'s have more responsibility for the patient and can contribute 'nursing diagnosis', while LPN"s generally do not. An R.N. completes more coursework generally between two and four years; while an LPN can complete their schooling in less than 12 months in some areas. The CNA is a certified nurse assistant, and can complete their coursework in just a few weeks. Many hospitals and nursing homes are now turning to LPN and CNA's to perform nursing duties, because they receive less pay than the RN. However, the education that an RN receives is very different. They learn more about the physical body and medications than LPN's or CNA's do. In some areas, there are 'short' courses that include: CNA, EEK, EEG, IV therapy and the employer can completely replace one RN with a CNA with certifications in all areas; but personally I would rather see RN's on the floor with CNA's helping out and the LPN looking in after the patient is more mobile.

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Ahh, Not true!!

In Missouri, a LPN can't administer Chemotherapy, can't admix medications, can't place or d/c any IV catheter over 3 inches in length, can't access or deaccess an implanted port. An LPN can not give IVP medications UNLESS the patient's life is threatened, then he or she may administer the IV push medication. You are correct, however, in respect to the inability to hang blood or blood products.

:coollook:

Heck, in my province, only CERTIFIED RNs can administer chemo and NO RN is allowed to pull a central line of any description (gotta have something for those pesky residents to do). On the hospital floor, it comes down to two skills in my area.

Why do these threads keep coming back to life???

EVERY province and state has different guidelines for both grades of nurses.

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Specializes in med-surg,ortho,oncology,teaching.
Never say never, because these regulations vary from state to state. Texas LVNs are legally allowed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners to push IV medications and engage in IV therapy, provided they have completed a course in IV therapy. The only things Texas LVNs are not legally allowed to do, with regard to IV therapy, are hang and spike blood and start and stop TPN (total parenteral nutrition).

I have worked for over 30 years as an LVN in Texas and have found that what an LVN can do varies by hospitals. All hospitals have to follow BON but in our hospital LVN's are allowed to hang and spike blood and are allowed to start and stop TPN.

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