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?

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.

Did you REALLY just cite Wikipedia as a reference?

That is so ludicrous, now I'm suspicious

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Specializes in Customer service.

There is a reason why CNAs, LPNs,RNs, and doctor(s) have similarities in some scopes. One example I can think of is the safety of patients/residents. Would you wait for a doctor to let the woman deliver her baby? Would you wait for a nurse to do the IV if he/she got stuck in a car accident? Would you wait for a CNA to clean your resident/patient if he/she is admitted in ER due to a heart attack? The list goes on.

Most of my friends/acquaintances are either RNs, LPNs, or CNAs. The RNs told me that it's difficult not to have a CNA or an LPN because they can't do their work that can jeopardize their job. Yes, they did tell me that they do the work of a CNA or an LPN when nobody to call. They don't say, "Holy crap that is not my scope and let that person wait until the CNA or LPN comes."

How did I find out about this issue? I asked them why I will be trained to change pads, etc. when I will be in an RN program.

It's worth of having skills that sometimes make us crazy. It's not fun to know one skill only. That's what robots do.

That is why nursing is called a team work. We don't focus in one job only. We do have our own specialty based in our education background. The experience has a lot to do with it. That's why many CNAs, LPNs, or RNs expand their knowledge through going back to school.

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With what you're saying, there'd be nothing to stop CNAs with years of experience thinking they can be LPNs. There are licensing, boards, and educational requirements for these very good reasons. If you want to be paid/treated equally, they you're obligated to put in the education equally as well.

I've known plenty of CNAs over the years who thought exactly that -- they know as much and can do the same things that LPNs do, why do LPNs get paid more. I'm sure the OP would have some choice words about that idea ...

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Specializes in Peds PDN, 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.

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I agree with you that we do the same thing as what the RN does...but they do have more "education" but we have more "hands on". I have been a LPN for 22 years...and LAWD! If you are making $22/hr count your blessings! I only make $15.47/hr! How abou that??? But I watch these other LPN's that start here at where I am employed and they are making $17-$20/hr. Explain why I am not making that....I worked my first 19 years in the ICU at another facility, and needless to say, made more $$$ there...got burnt out...couldn't find a job, so I took what I could get at the time. I had no idea I was being screwed and not getting even base pay to what the other LPN's make here. However, LPN's are only allowed in the doctors offices and nursing homes with this health care system in GA. Feed back?

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Specializes in Customer service.

My friend fired and reported a fresh RN for neglecting the patient/resident needs. He/she let the elder slept in her brief for a few days. The RN did not change resident's brief with the reason that it wasn't his/her scope as an RN, but a CNA's job. FYI, the CNA didn't return to that facility. I'm obviously wondering if the RN has something to do with her not coming back.

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Specializes in Customer service.
I've known plenty of CNAs over the years who thought exactly that -- they know as much and can do the same things that LPNs do, why do LPNs get paid more. I'm sure the OP would have some choice words about that idea ...

Definitely, there are many of them are experienced CNAs or LPNs. I wondered why they don't continue their education, but busy pointing out how long their resume is.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.
Did you REALLY just cite Wikipedia as a reference?

That is so ludicrous, now I'm suspicious

I think "sweetpoo" is just yanking tails. With a name like that how could they not be?

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I am an LPN and I disagree with the OP. As LPNs we are not trained or educated to the same level as the RN. We are not required to to take the Rn Nclex. If we were then we would be RNs. I do think we each have our place and have skills we can contribute. I respect the RNs I work with and learn a lot from them daily. They are afforded more responsibility and they should be compensated as such.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Oh goodness OP. Most of us here, probably even those who are APRN, would say that NPs should not be paid as MDs.

As a RN with the equivalent of an associates, I would be an idiot to argue that a NP deserves the same pay as a doctor. Just like it would be ridiculous to argue that I should get the same pay as a BSN nurse. Or LPN should get same as RN.

We get paid based on experience and education. Not happy? Go back to school. I can be upset that people like me are getting phased out. But at the end of the day, I am smart enough to know that whining won't solve any of it. Unless I go back to school, I will end up losing my job at some point. Complaining won't change it.

So just shut the hell up, go get your RN, or find another profession. I think it speaks volumes for the state of education in North America that instead of encouraging people to get more education, we want to lower standards for everyone. Ugh.

:inlove: YES!!!! Well SAID!!!

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Specializes in Public Health.

Well my ADN cost me $8000 for the almost 4 years because I used my time wisely and completed all of my prereqs for a BSN so all I need now is the actual BSN classes. Side note: I need my transcripts from my first year of college and I need $10000 to gain access to them.

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I was a LPN before I became a RN. The education and training with both are different.

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