Would a hospital hire and RN for an LPN job?

Published

Specializes in BNAT instructor, ICU, Hospice,triage.

There is an opening at a hospital for an LPN position in Hospice Home care. I really want it! Will they hire me even though I'm an RN? I have 20 years of experience, 10 years in ICU. There is an RN opening too, but its full time and I can't do full time, because I love my other job too much. Can I twist their arm to hire me in any way? What can I do?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Room.

Not Likely, I tried to go down that road myself, because they know you will leave soon as you can land an RN job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in (future hope) Genetic Nursing.

I'm not sure if there would be a standard of care issue with taking a LPN position. What I mean is that being a RN you would have to give the Level of care of an RN instead of an LPN. I'm sure that not a problem with you. But perhaps the hospital may have an issue with it. But I'm not sure myself. BTW I tried that with a hospital and my application was rejected.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's a good question. Since hospice is such a specific specialty, it is understandable that you might want a job working there. I suggest you speak to them and explain that you are willing to work for LPN salary and see if they can create a "junior" RN position for you. You'll never know until you ask.

There are some problems with taking an LPN job with an RN license as the job description could present some problems that you are not even aware of...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The better question is why should an employer hire above their needs? Usually there is a defining line for what an LPN can do on that shift that an RN can't. Most of the time it is more direct hands on care.

It's only taking a job away from a qualified LPN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It certainly cant hurt to ask, it just may pay less. I think calling & talking to them about it would be worthwhile. The worst that could happen is they will say no.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've offered myself to a temp agency as an LPN/CNA/PCA and was told no because I don't hold those specific licenses. Then again I live on Long Island....don't get me started. Good luck though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

This is one of the most asked and never conclusively answered questions I see here. Many times I see people insist that no, absolutely not because "you are held to the standard of your (whatever required the most education) license". Yet I've never seen any written laws or regulations that say that, and I would think it would be a state by state issue if there were.

What I do know to be true is that I've worked with several RNs doing the job of an LPN/LVN, and the only difference is that they are paid the LPN/LVN wages. I've read many posts about an RN working as a CNA in the hospital because they were short of CNAs and had enough nurses. There doesn't seem to be much concern from employers over this, so either they are unaware of the risk they place their nurses in by "working below their license" or there are a lot of opinions out there.

In the only case that seemed to have a definitive answer an RN could work as an LPN as long as they still had their active license as an LPN, meaning she would need to pay fees and finish CEUs for two licenses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Telemetry.

there is nothing an LVN can do that an RNcant, its the other way around. However, a hospital would want the cheaper labor and wouldnt want to hire someone who is more qualified for a position than what they are wanting

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

"In the only case that seemed to have a definitive answer an RN could work as an LPN as long as they still had their active license as an LPN, meaning she would need to pay fees and finish CEUs for two licenses."

I believe I've seen posted here that LPN's must surrender their licenses when they receive their RN license.

But then again, that just have been someone's "opinion," as you mention.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
"In the only case that seemed to have a definitive answer an RN could work as an LPN as long as they still had their active license as an LPN, meaning she would need to pay fees and finish CEUs for two licenses."

I believe I've seen posted here that LPN's must surrender their licenses when they receive their RN license.

But then again, that just have been someone's "opinion," as you mention.

Surrendering an LPN license for an RN could also be a state issue.

For what it's worth, the CNO where I work is an EMT (possibly paramedic?) part-time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
"In the only case that seemed to have a definitive answer an RN could work as an LPN as long as they still had their active license as an LPN, meaning she would need to pay fees and finish CEUs for two licenses."

I believe I've seen posted here that LPN's must surrender their licenses when they receive their RN license.

But then again, that just have been someone's "opinion," as you mention.

In NYS you can hold both a LPN and RN license. So each state can differ on that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion