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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

Published

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?

When you can manage critically ill patients on multiple vasoactives, tubes, lines, drains, then we'll talk.

There is no need to be arrogant, we are both nurses, and a year of education does not separate us, I have 18 years of experience, I can manage any of those issues, what can another year add on how to manage a chest tube that 18 years experience have not taught me already ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
OK, SweetPoo. You have two options-

- Rail against the system and campaign for nationwide change

or...

- Accept that life sometimes has rules that are irrespective of what we find logical, and go back to school to become a RN and get legal and financial recognition for your abilities.

I do not think there is anything that will change your mind in regards to the original topic of this question so good luck in whatever option you choose.

I see how it is, you nurses forget what it's like as a LPN I still have value and we are under utilized in this expensive healthcare system. How come its okay for RN's to back up NP's to become equal with physicians in pay (which I AGREE with) but you guys won't support LPN's who work just as hard as RN's. I see how this works now. It's not fair, and not right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Not all LPNs have 18 years. Not all LPNs have the same experiences in their job that you claim you do to be able to do the same things as RNs. RNs can manage and delegate to an LPN because ther position is higher up the ladder. Much like a retail manager who may nt seem to do anything their subordinates can't do. Also, by your logic, a highschool teacher should be paid the same as a college professor. In fact all teachers should be pad the same because they all teach. Regardless of the scop in which they teach. It just doesn't make sense. An LPN is valuable. Hell, I'm not even graduated from my RN program yet so you know a hell of a lot more than I do, but as far as scope of practice and education level, those thigs matter whether you like it or not. RNs are not just paid for their skill, they are paid for the knowledge behind the skill as well as the responsibility they have. You may not want more education, but unless you are will to do something about the change you seek, ranting here wot solve the problem and it will offend many RNs as you are basically demeaning their education based on YOUR PERSONAL experience. Your best bet is to just get the extra year of Ed and the title of RN and get paid more to do "basically the same thing".

On my phone so sorry for all errors.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not all LPNs have 18 years. Not all LPNs have the same experiences in their job that you claim you do to be able to do the same things as RNs. RNs can manage and delegate to an LPN because ther position is higher up the ladder. Much like a retail manager who may nt seem to do anything their subordinates can't do. Also, by your logic, a highschool teacher should be paid the same as a college professor. In fact all teachers should be pad the same because they all teach. Regardless of the scop in which they teach. It just doesn't make sense. An LPN is valuable. Hell, I'm not even graduated from my RN program yet so you know a hell of a lot more than I do, but as far as scope of practice and education level, those thigs matter whether you like it or not. RNs are not just paid for their skill, they are paid for the knowledge behind the skill as well as the responsibility they have. You may not want more education, but unless you are will to do something about the change you seek, ranting here wot solve the problem and it will offend many RNs as you are basically demeaning their education based on YOUR PERSONAL experience. Your best bet is to just get the extra year of Ed and the title of RN and get paid more to do "basically the same thing".

On my phone so sorry for all errors.

I am sorry, I was not trying to be condescending, but you see what I mean? RN's back up NP's to be equally with Physicians and you can argue the same principles you just stated with education, but you know and I know physicians and NP's do the same and should be paid just about the same regardless of education, when you do the same role, you should be compensated the same. So, why is it every time I bring this up with my co workers, they get all heated up, and when I bring up the case of NP's Vs MD's they tell "well thats not the same." Tell me how this is not the same issue? It's frustrating to me, when I know I can just as good as my co workers, and its demeaning to me when i have to get a nurse to look the orders over and sign off on them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One word.. Knowledge

Nursing is not all about skills you know. Assessment is what sets LPN from RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I am an ADN nurse. Now the medical system is pushing for BSN. If I were a younger woman I would be working on that bachelors because that is going to be the requirement eventually. Is the BSN padded with academic fluff? I suspect so. Academia has a way of doing that. But, I am a mere cog in the wheel of life, and my job is to adapt to the way things are, and try to prosper within a sometimes nonsensical system.

I agree, nursing is mostly on the job learning. My education prepared me by giving me a great foundation of understanding pathophysiology, body systems, rationale, etc and so forth. But I've seen some awesome LPNs who definitely were better nurses than I. Yet, they never had the gumption, the will, the drive to grit their teeth and get their RN. They lacked the foresight to do that. Then, a couple of years ago, my hospital got rid of them all, with very little notice.

I heard that reimbursement from the government is lower for LPN care. So, don't expect much from the government, they do a lot of illogical, money wasting things. Obamacare is a poorly thought out plan that had too many bureaucrats involved in its creation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, CVICU, Cath Lab, MICU, Endoscopy..
I see what you are saying with the ICU but at the same time the physician's orders will clearly state the parameters for titration. I can look up press it's and learn them pretty easily, I work on a Intermediate Care level floor with tele patients. It's not that difficult. Annoying when I have to get the RN to push the IV pressors because legally I can't. Makes no sense. Government should move out of the way and let the market decide what is best and affordable to the patient.[/quote']

Aha! .... this is where you are wrong just visit any level 1 trauma CVICU and hang out there for a little while with the RN handling ECMO or simply open heart patient. Let me just explain this simply when you have a cardiogenic shock, open heart or ecmo. The parameters are very general your job as the RN is to titrate the medications not according to the written parameters but according to the pressures being emitted from continuous monitoring, IABP, temp pacemaker not to mention the lab values and God forbid your patient is in addition a dka on hypothermia protocol. There are no parameters in this zone you must understand which drug to titrate up or down how fast and why you need to up your dopamine vs the dobutamine vs levphophed vs milrnone as opposed to giving a bolus of NS when you have hypotension. Why you must have k+ hanging even if its 3.5 and the BG=400 and on a bicarb drip about to give 10 units of insulin ....got it.....the doctors rely on the nurse in the icu not vice versa. ...I challenge you...may be you will have more respect after that....peace out!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I, for one, do not agree that NPs must be paid the same as MDs.

The difference?

Their education.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

Methinks OP is looking for an argument

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well Mr. Cuddleswithpuddles, you would probably be the first RN to say something like that, when I am in the nurses lounge its nothing but politics on how NP's and MD's should be paid the same, but I never hear that out loud, not once in my 18 years. But, I appreciate you being honest if that is your justification, I can't say anything else, but this topic is more geared in response to RN's who feel otherwise.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Simple, I can easily read books, and if you give insulin to a hypokalemic pt you would drive K back into the cells driving the pt into a serious hypokalemia. Wikipedia is not that difficult, second I told you I work on a step down ICU, so that is nothing new, I learned that 15 years ago on the floor while working with highly experienced ICU nurses and physicians, so please don't try to belittle me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know what OP is or trolling, I am new to this. Can you clarify so I can respond to your question? If your asking about ICU, I worked on a step down unit called intermediate care, its not as complex as ICU but it is challenge. Is that what your asking?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment