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

Nursing Students ADN/BSN

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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 Hospice/Infusion.

You know, I totally understand where you are coming from, I have been an LPN for 6 years. I never understood until I started school for my RN. There is actually more involved with the education clinically speaking. You learn much more about pathophysiology and why things happen. How to catch things on a patient earlier to prevent decline..etc. LPNs and RN do many of the same things when it comes to patient care, but the critical thinking skills are enhanced. Unfortunatly it seems that at least in NJ, LPNs are being phased out by med techs and pcas..

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Is their any other LPNs on here who would be will to advocate with me? I am planning on writing a letter to NFLPN on creating schools with more training to makes us more complete as nurses? If anyone on here is interested please send me a message or respond on here so I can get you more details on the matter. We need stick together as LPNs, we are being restricted and eliminated from using our skills learned during our training. I am really upset, they are slowly trying to move me out of the Intermediate care unit because they want to make it all RN based. Thankfully I am in a union, but I am feeling pressured by nurses on the floor who are constantly annoyed that I have to track them down to witness me do things, and sign off on things I did for them. They are doing away with us, and keeping us in longterm care facilities which is not what we signed up for. Anyone on here willing to help, please, we need more voices to speak up on our behalf. We can't all afford to go back to get our associates with kids, family, and work balance.

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Don't you feel like RN's look down upon us? Some have even said from reading these forums that we are not even considered "real nurses." Makes me sad, first time on this forum and I didn't know thats what they thought of LPNs :(

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Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

the worst part about it is that here in NJ the pay isnt much different from LPN!

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I make less than brand new minted nurse with a associates degree fresh out of college, barely old enough to drink, with 0 experience. But I guess it depends where your from. If you don't mind me asking but how much? It's 30% less here on average.

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Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

SweetPoo..Its the way the initial post came across..it appears that you are devaluing the education of an RN..that might be why so many are a little peeved :cat:

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Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

SweetPoo if you are willing to go through the hassle of writing a letter why not just challenge the RN program and take the year of schooling?

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SweetPoo if you are willing to go through the hassle of writing a letter why not just challenge the RN program and take the year of schooling?

It's so hard with this house and car. I can't afford it. If I were young maybe. But, I will hold on to my unit making money and leaning. You think it's really that worth it? How can I live, work for a year to get this degree.

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Rns should be paid more because they need more school, have a broader scope and more debt to become an RN. RN pay is also already approaching LPN pay. But also RNs are required to obtain ever more education, while their pay drops, and also as their jobs are being replaced by ancillary people with little education. So as to your initial question, it's really already happening.

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I feel the effects truth me, being pressured to retire or quit. And I won't. Seeing how NPs will be running things soon, and every RN want to be a NP, that should open the market back for us to fill those gaps. As nurses eventually becomes docs in a sense, they'll need a nurse who can do that nursing stuff for them. Hope we move up together equally.

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Guess I focused on money, not your question- but what do you think you ought to be able to do that requires a RN diploma/degree or license? When I started as a LPN the thought of LPns doing IVs, even, would have been outrageous- now LPNs do that and more. Big difference though in a degree, versus an IV certifcate, maybe?

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I feel the effects truth me, being pressured to retire or quit. And I won't. Seeing how NPs will be running things soon, and every RN want to be a NP, that should open the market back for us to fill those gaps. As nurses eventually becomes docs in a sense, they'll need a nurse who can do that nursing stuff for them. Hope we move up together equally.

Or down together, equally? Pay and opportuniy is decling for all nurses.

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