Why are LPNs not allowed to do more?

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I've read several threads on here about what LPNs can and can't do. I've even read some threads where LPNs used to be able to do some stuff but are no longer allowed by law to do those things. I guess I'm not understanding something here. Why would an LPN no longer be allowed to do something they were able to do for years and years? If there is a so-called nursing shortage, why is the scope of an LPN's job becoming more narrow, and why are some hospitals doing away with them altogether? It all seems pretty backward to me. Does it have anything to do with the education an LPN receives? Are LPNs not trained/qualified to do the things they aren't allowed to do, or is it that it's becoming a liability issue? I've also seen a few posters say they consider themselves glorified CNAs and that's why the hospitals are getting rid of them. What is going on? I'm working on prereqs for an LPN program and I just want to understand what I'm getting myself into.

Thanks!

Specializes in Psych/Substance Abuse & School Clinics.

My original contribution to this forum was about LPNs not being used -- and I think the OP was mainly about that too. The pay difference doesn't bother me anywhere near as much as the "nurses and LPN's." Aren't LPNs nurses too? I thought LPNs and RNs were nurses, but RNs had more schooling/a degree. But I thought we were ALL NURSES. And so many people seem to think we're 2 different species from 2 different planets. When did a nurse stop being a nurse and become nurses and those others?? I was so proud to be joining the noble profession of nursing, but now I feel like an outsider -- like I'm just a wanna be nurse.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
There's an easy answer to your question, while LPN's are as capable as RN's, there is still a college degree that stands between the two and that's why RN's earn more.

yes blinkie is right thats why RN 's are paid more. but LPN's are worth their weight in gold

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

:yeahthat: I totally agree!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
There's an easy answer to your question, while LPN's are as capable as RN's, there is still a college degree that stands between the two and that's why RN's earn more.

Don't get me wrong I value the ADN portion of my education very much and while I have no problem cashing my pay check I can still hardly believe that after only 2 additional semesters I'm all the sudden worth $15 more an hour.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
there's an easy answer to your question, while lpn's are as capable as rn's, there is still a college degree that stands between the two and that's why rn's earn more.

many lpn degree programs exist, although they tend to be concentrated in the upper midwest part of the country. the name of the degree is the associate of applied science in practical nursing. click on the link below for more information.

http://www.dsu.nodak.edu/digest.asp?articleid=564

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
many lpn degree programs exist, although they tend to be concentrated in the upper midwest part of the country. the name of the degree is the associate of applied science in practical nursing. click on the link below for more information.

http://www.dsu.nodak.edu/digest.asp?articleid=564

i totally understand the one year lpn program (it's a great opportunity) but a two year degree to obtain an lpn is waste of the students time and money. it seems as though the school cannot get credentials and/or professors to offer an rn program? it makes absolutely no sense. the graduates of this program are not going to earn anymore than any other lpn.

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Don't get me wrong I value the ADN portion of my education very much and while I have no problem cashing my pay check I can still hardly believe that after only 2 additional semesters I'm all the sudden worth $15 more an hour.

Now if that isnt justification for continuing your education to become an RN, I dont know what is. Youve motivated me more than I already was.

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My original contribution to this forum was about LPNs not being used -- and I think the OP was mainly about that too. The pay difference doesn't bother me anywhere near as much as the "nurses and LPN's." Aren't LPNs nurses too? I thought LPNs and RNs were nurses, but RNs had more schooling/a degree. But I thought we were ALL NURSES. And so many people seem to think we're 2 different species from 2 different planets. When did a nurse stop being a nurse and become nurses and those others?? I was so proud to be joining the noble profession of nursing, but now I feel like an outsider -- like I'm just a wanna be nurse.

Isnt that something? After all the hard work and training and NCLEX, i wonder about that too. But hey we know we're nurses too!

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:sniff: I'm a 54 yr old who went back to school after being out for over 30 yrs. I received my PN License on 8/8/08. I always thought that Licensed Practical Nurses were also nurses, but I'm learning the hard way that evidently we're not. The article mentions the nursing shortage, referring to RN's and doesn't include LPN's. Maybe if people would hire us there would not be such a shortage. In my area, hospitals only hire RN's and Dr. offices only hire MA's. So that really only leaves me with LTC's. I have NO problem with working in one. My problem is with the fact that we're left with no options. I began school being proud to know if I worked & studied hard I'd be a nurse one day. Now I just feel like I wasted a year of my life cause noone wants what I've learned -- it isn't enough. :(

PS: I originally posted this on the forum about Fla. having a hugh nursing shortage, but it seems appropriate here also.

Awww dear, you dont need to feel like that. We have ALOT in common. My friend who is an RN and has more than one degree had a VERY difficult time finding a job. It just depends that's all. My friends told me that it took them 2 sometimes 3 months to find a job. Of course some LPNs find a job quicker. This in no way was a waste of a year. I promise! Be encouraged, dont give up (in spirit). Youll find something, hang in there.

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Specializes in Oncology/Research, Hemodialysis.
You bring up good points. Nursing Scope of Practice mandates first, individuals states also have guidelines, followed by the individual institutions policies.

LPNs are not represented well, only my own personal opinion.

Rn's and our legislators make up the majority of the body unto whom make the guidelines.

As LPNs we need to take an active role in our associations who lobby for us. We need to keep our voices heard respectfully on the various committees at our places of employment. We need to keep our legislators informed as to what it means to work as an LPN, some truly do not know. We need as individuals keep up to date on new innovations in health care, be open to new ways of doing things. Be willing to do and be, rather than fall back on the " I am not paid enough to do that" " or the infamous it's not my job" I am not talking about ever going outside of our scope of practice mind you or going against your institutions policies.

Continue to be a valuable employee no matter where you work.

Are you saying than an LPN should be on a commitee making decisions just for LPNs or are you saying that an LPN should be making decisions for all nursing fields?

I certainly hope not, just need the clarification.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.
I totally understand the one year LPN program (it's a great opportunity) but a two year degree to obtain an LPN is waste of the students time and money. It seems as though the school cannot get credentials and/or professors to offer an RN program? It makes absolutely no sense. The graduates of this program are not going to earn anymore than any other LPN.

I believe this might have been initiated so that each and every class and LPN took received college credit. One for which when I went 30 years ago did not. Nothing I took in school ,even though when I graduated we had moved 2 months prior from the old tech school to the new technical college located on the university campus. Do I wish that I had waited just one more year to go to school so that everything I had taken would have been college accredited , of course. But it was was it was.

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I have been an LPN for 18 years I have worked in many areas of Nursing I feel myself equally qualified for a nursing job as RNs but it is more difficult to get hired in the hospital setting as a LPN it seems you have to prove yourself which is unfortunate any nurse regardless of your title can be good or bad I personally have run into many inadequate RNS who work in speciality hospitals (caring for my daughter) whom I have wondered where in the world they went to school as an LPN you can be successful just don't be afraid to apply for more challenging positions because you need the experience I can notice a change in the opinions of RNs toward LPNs just because you have a title does not make you better things really need to change hospitals need to look at skills and experience more and utilize a nursing license not a title! I personally think the change is magnet staus the big hospitals want to show on paper that most of their nurses are BSN even alot of ASN'S are starting to be looked down on.

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