What are the REAL limitations between an RN AND a LPN?

[stronginchrist]

Hi my wonderful and inspiring nurses. I always have heard about what LPN can and cannot do and only heard of the real difference is the fact that LPNs get paid less than an RN . however , my professor told me that LPN and RNs work together and LPNs would supervise patients and CNAs/PSWs and would almost do the same thing like what an RN would do . so exactly why do the majority so badly want to be an RN instead of staying as a LPN?

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

That depends on the scope of practice in each state and each facility's policies.

In California, for example, LVNs cannot give IV medication. Because of this limitation, they are less desirable in acute care settings. In some states, the technical roles of LPNs and RNs are very close. The education is a bit different, though. You get paid more for knowing more ...not necessarily for doing different tasks.

I'd assume that the majority of LPNs who go back to school do it for the increase in pay or greater pool of job opportunity.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Hospitals go back and forth on hiring LPNs, then laying them all off. In some geographic areas, LPNs are limited to LTC because hospitals just aren't employing them. Of course, like everything else in healthcare, it's cyclical and subject to change. So one advantage to having an RN is, besides more money, is more choices and opportunities.

[sissiesmama, ASN, RN]

Hi - my hubby and I are both RNs in Louisiana. We are both AD nurses. I went to LPN school first - it helped me to work as an LPN during RN school.

In La, LPNs can't work as charge nurse in an acute care setting (I think that's accurate). LPNs can't hang blood/blood products, TPN and Lipids. Can't give IVP meds - but I remember as an LPN years ago we could give non narc iVP drugs thru a "mini infuser". We could draw up the med, hook up the syringe with the drug and turn it on as LPNs.

Hospitals around here for the most part don't hire LPNs in ER, L and D, Endo - they have actually really slowed down in hiring LPNs in the area hospitals. Most of the jobs for LPNs here are in MD offices, and nsg homes.

Hope that helps a little.

Anne, RNC

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'd assume that the majority of LPNs who go back to school do it for the increase in pay or greater pool of job opportunity.

^This.

In my state, LPNs are able to be IV therapy certified, to the point if even accessing Central Lines.

The scope of practice expanded in LPNs hanging blood products.

The line of scope still entails that LPNs cannot do initial assessments and initial patient teaching; LPNs contribute to the POC.

I have been able to make polices and educate staff and do QA work as a LPN, on top of the bedside work that is a part of every nurses' role.

I became an RN for the ability to become certified in the specialities that I worked in, or choose to work in; plus having a full scope and the pay that goes along with it are a plus as well.

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

In the state I currently work in, LPN's cannot access central lines, cannot give any blood products, or any IV push meds, regardless whether it is a narcotic or not, they can't "push" anything; they also cannot do an initial physical assessment, or initiate a care plan, or do an initial skin assessment. For these reasons, most larger hospitals do not employ them, as they would still have to have an RN to do pushes, blood, etc., for the LPN. (Why wouldn't they just hire an "all RN staff?") Hopefully your "professor" can advise you further regarding the LPN scope of practice for your state.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Depends on your state, depends on the facility. Just because a scope of practice may allow it, doesn't mean a facility will. If you go to your state's BON website, it will give you an LPN practice act, scope of practice information.

Then to just do some research on who hires LPN's in your area. Big difference in acute care and LTC on duties and scopes.

Most acute care hospitals will only hire RN's (and a greater number who will only hire BSN's--and most recently Master's prepared RN's is a "preferred" standard).

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

"... and only heard of the real difference is the fact that LPNs get paid less than an RN ." ~nursekesh

yeah.....clearly that is not a 'REAL difference', LOL....after all, does it even make sense that the two are identical yet one "just gets paid less"?

The list of differences in scope of practice is long and varied, and affected by State nursing boards and individual facility's practices, as has been noted here in the posts before mine.

What it really comes down to is WHERE you want to work, and what kind of work you want to DO. Then you can make a more informed decision as to what path is best for you. The limitations for LPNs are significant, depending (again) on what region of the country one intends to work (and what kind of facility).

One can be excellent at one's job, but must stay within the scope of practice for the license he or she has.

[stronginchrist]

I stated that it is a "real difference" because of what I based my own research and understanding on. I already understood reading from other comments the difference with LPN and RN may have different scopes of practice . but what I was saying is that LPNs especially in my region would most likely do almost the same amount of work as RNs however they will get paid less, hence why I have stated " heard of the real difference is the fact that LPNs get paid less than an RN"

[stronginchrist]

I have also asked why is it that individual's want to upgrade to RN and not stay as an LPN? The question was to observe if the majority is willing to upgrade only because of the salary or if it is for other benefits .

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

I stated that it is a "real difference" because of what I based my own research and understanding on. I already understood reading from other comments the difference with LPN and RN may have different scopes of practice . but what I was saying is that LPNs especially in my region would most likely do almost the same amount of work as RNs however they will get paid less, hence why I have stated " heard of the real difference is the fact that LPNs get paid less than an RN"

And I answered you, based on your apparent misunderstanding. Not sure what 'research' you could have done, though, and not found out so much of what's been posted for you....prior to posting.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck.

[RNperdiem, RN]

In my area, the job opportunities are very limited for LPNs. Long term care, the occasional doctor's office, home health.

The RNs have a wider array of jobs to pick from. I would call that the biggest real-world difference. My hospital does not hire LPNs for inpatient areas, and in the 15 years I have been at my hospital, I have never met an LPN.