Why can't I do everything a RN does as a LPN? We should be equal.

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Why do RN's make more when we practically do the SAME THING. I don't understand how RN's having the ability to start IV's and give a few medications IV push make them more valuable than an LPN. Those extra courses you take to become RN's, heck even BSN's don't add anything clinically. When I am on the floor, WE DO THE SAME THING, yet I take home 30% less than my RN/BSN colleagues. Does anyone else agree that us as LPNS should be able to make the same salary? I hope the Affordable Healthcare Act (AHR) addresses this issue with EQUAL PAY for EQUAL work. We are a lot cheaper to higher than RN's so hopefully the (AHC) will realize this and create more of a demand for efficient LPN's that are easier to train, and cheaper to higher, thus bringing RN wages on par with our wages. It just doesn't make sense for the hospital to pay a RN $25-30/hr to start, while I make $22/hr and have more than 18 years experience. Any thoughts?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Maybe if this was posted in the LPN forum you would have found more that think like you, but not necessarily as per the evidence based research that has been posted thus far.

I frequent those boards, and would've ended up posting EBP...and plenty of other posters would done the same thing...it would've ended up possibly going down the same way...

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As an RN I plan the care for the patient. I take responsibility, I do the assessment, and it's me who answers if something is wrong, not the LPN. The RN.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

I snorted water out of my nose when I read that comment from OP. I thought I was the only one who noticed.

I know! Clean up time on my laptop screen time here!

OP, I'm sorry - that just sounds crazy. I haven't responded to any of the posts I have read yet but I just couldn't continue without commenting. I really hope you aren't serious. That's just ridiculous.

Flame me if u feel the need, but I have worked as an LPN and an RN - it just seems like if u have the time and energy to push for the things u have talked about in this thread, u would just take the time and energy to get your RN. Maybe then u can understand some of our posts and comments.

Anne, RNC

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A lot of condescending statements here in regards to LPNs and our training. You guys are starting to sound like physicians when they bash RN's, and now you guys are bashing LPNs. You guys should know that nurses should stick together. But, seems like you go on and get another year of education, and now you're some sort of elite. I get it. Thanks.

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SweetPoo, you say that LPNs and RNs are equal but I've seen plenty of research that indicates that simply isn't true.

Do you have any links to studies that show RNs and LPNs have equivalent patient outcomes? Actual peer reviewed studies and not anecdotes.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
Oh boy... OP if the pay difference bothers you that much go back to school for your RN. It will be a breeze since you have all that experience and what not.[/quote']

Or he or she can work for Wiki - they might value the "expert" contributions.

Anne, RNC

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I also haven't seen anyone be condescending of LPN training. They have an important role to play in the healthcare team, but no one is going to take you seriously if the only sources you provide are Wikipedia and personal anecdotes centered around task oriented care. We're living in the age of evidenced based practice - which means you need to back up your arguments with legitimate sources and peer reviewed research.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.
A lot of condescending statements here in regards to LPNs and our training. You guys are starting to sound like physicians when they bash RN's, and now you guys are bashing LPNs. You guys should know that nurses should stick together. But, seems like you go on and get another year of education, and now you're some sort of elite. I get it. Thanks.

I have followed this thread from the first post; literally, I read it when there were no responses yet. Please list the posts that were demeaning of LVN training. Different yes, shorter, less extensive, yes. Do you debate that? I believe your contention is that your experience has compensated for the year of training you didn't get. The only derogatory information I've seen disseminated has been the peer-reviewed published research (which I would like to point out, you directly requested). I'm sorry if that hurts you. I really am.

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Sounds like someone is just butthurt and jealous. Maaaaaaybe on a medsurg floor LVNs and RNs aremt hugely different, but come to the ICU or the ER and I'm sorry but your little bubble will get burst.

For someone with a lot more education than this mere LPN, your sentences make 0 sense. I hope you don't chart like that. "Patient hurts butt bubble burst."

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
A lot of condescending statements here in regards to LPNs and our training. You guys are starting to sound like physicians when they bash RN's, and now you guys are bashing LPNs. You guys should know that nurses should stick together. But, seems like you go on and get another year of education, and now you're some sort of elite. I get it. Thanks.

Not condensing remarks, EBP-evidenced based practice.

If FACTS brand me an elitist, so be it; I live in TRUTH and FACTS, again, EBP, it has tremendously helped my nursing practice, and will continue to do so.

Still waiting on your own links on how LPNs decrease mortality and morbidity, equally in a skill mix.

Again, I'll wait.

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I have followed this thread from the first post; literally, I read it when there were no responses yet. Please list the posts that were demeaning of LVN training. Different yes, shorter, less extensive, yes. Do you debate that? I believe your contention is that your experience has compensated for the year of training you didn't get. The only derogatory information I've seen disseminated has been the peer-reviewed published research (which I would like to point out, you directly requested). I'm sorry if that hurts you. I really am.

Isn't that what NP's use when we back them against physicians? That their training as nurses with extensive experience adds up to be on par with their training? That makes the case for LPNs as well. Once again, you have proven my original point. I can see right through the condescending remarks, and know how to read between the lines. And, if you search on this entire allnurses.com, I have found plenty on LPN bashing, not just on this thread.

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SweetPoo, I've never heard a nursing organization claim that working as an RN equals the training that physicians receive. There have been decades of research that shows that APRNs have equivalent or better patient outcomes when compared to physicians. This is why there is a push to remove legislative barriers to APRN scope of practice. The scope of practice would still be dictated by education and the BON.

There is no evidence to suggest that LPNs are capable of delivering the same patient outcomes as RNs. In fact several links to studies have been posted that show that patient outcomes are worse when cared for by LPNs.

Do you really not understand the difference?

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