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The Difference Between LPNs and RNs
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Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN
Kathy Quan, RN, BSN, PHN, has over 30 years of experience in home health and hospice care. Teaching patients, caregivers, and other nurses has always been a passion of hers. She also loves to write and has several websites and blogs for nurses, caregivers, and patients. Kathy has also authored four books about nursing, the health care field and caring for aging parents.
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LPNs vs. RNs: Which role is more important? Who does more? Who works harder?
The argument is nothing new. The LPN is quick to tell you she does so much more than make beds, give back rubs, and take vital signs. And the RN counters that she has more education and medical training and is called upon for more advanced procedures.
The sad truth is that no matter what kind of nurse you are, all nurses work hard and are grossly underpaid for what they do. Much of the time, nurses don’t even receive a “thank you,” much less any real respect or acknowledgment for choosing a career of care.
But there’s no point in denying that there are major differences in the scope of practice between LPNs and RNs. Sometimes the gap is wider than others, depending on the level of education, training, and licensure or certification, as well as a state’s specific guidelines. One is not more important than the other, but both are crucial to nursing, and the quality of patient care.
The Workplace Dynamic Between LPNs and RNs
The LPN works under the supervision of an RN or physician. They are not allowed to assess a patient, but they may collect data such as vital signs, including pain and blood glucose levels, and keep the supervising RN or physician informed. LPNs may also note how the patient looks and acts, or responds to stimuli, and report this information accordingly. However, under licensure, the LPN cannot interpret data, or make decisions for the patient. She has to report these findings to the RN or MD and they will make the decisions and delegate care.
Because of the scope of their practice is limited by their license, it may seem like LPNs do less than RNs. The fact is, the LPN may only perform her job as far as she is legally allowed to. Even though she may learn quickly on the job, becoming familiar with certain medical conditions, and knowledgeable about a patient’s condition from years of practical experience, under licensure, the LPN may not proceed without direction from the supervising nurse or physician. In actual practice, these lines might often be blurred, but legally speaking, these are very real limitations.
In fact, many LPNs go on to become RNs, enrolling in accelerated degree programs and bypassing the initial steps since they already have basic bedside education and hands-on experience.
19sharron
over 1 year ago
18 comments
I am so glad that someone finally noticed the fact that we are all in this together no matter what type of nurse you are. Amen!!
neerukp
over 1 year ago
6980 comments
LPNs, RNs are Professionally trained., The responsibilities of RN & LPN differ based on their training and education
2Leilani
almost 2 years ago
10 comments
Everyone is commenting on the differences between LPNs and RNs, but what does anyone think of Medication Aides in Texas I hear it is a booming job there. Medication Aides recieve training and certification in giving medication but, no license. What is the opinion of other nurses on this.
2Leilani
almost 2 years ago
10 comments
I have been a LPN for over 24 yrs and I have had a love/hate relationship with the nursing profession every since. I started my career in a community hospital and the nurse to patient was much higher than today. Now that hospital want an all RN staff the nurse to patient ratio dropped sufficantly. LPNS are now only able to find work in nursing homes, where the nurse to patient ratio is 1 to 30 or 1 to 45. Depending or the shift worked maybe more than that. Now if RNs come into the nursing homes will they recieve the same amount of patients as LPNs? If LPNs are displaced why are the schools still turning out new and unneeded graduates?
Account Removed
about 2 years ago
LPN RN NO dif. unless you want a managemnet position..
Brightlpn
about 2 years ago
2 comments
I am a LPN. I work w/ a wonderful group of LPNs & RNs. The only difference in our jobs is the RNs ability to hang bld & give IV pushes. We all have the same duties from complete patient care to medication administration. We all work our rear-ends off. Techs would be a huge help, unfortunately my rotation has 1; sometimes. Then you have to take into consideration all the charting & paperwork, which takes us away from our patients. I love being a nurse & taking care of my patients, but it can all be a little daunting sometimes though.
RitzauRN
about 2 years ago
10 comments
I am a BSN trained RN who works with a majority BSN trained nurses and a few associate degree RNs, but we don't have any LPNs at our facility. My observation thus far is that the quality of care (and compassion) is not related to the degree the RN holds, but rather their work ethic and intrinsic values. I think that knowledge is more important than compassion as a starting block but once every one has comparable information and experience under their belt that is when caring really becomes important to the patient and family. In fact I find some BSN and OCN certified RNs that I don't have confidence in as much as the associate level RNs who really know their stuff!
PEARL
about 2 years ago
14 comments
I have lived in several staes it depends where you live. I am much more respected as a nurse in New Mexico and I was used in my full scope of practice. I am from New York and here compared to there I am a glorified nurses aide, You may say then go back to New Mexico, I love New York and this is the state I was born in. For years New York has told us they are going to phase out LPN's but I believe that every Rn has had her favorite LPN who saved her you no what more than once. I don't care who works the hardest I care I am a good nurse and I believe I am, I care about that thank you that is heart felt from the patient I took care of last night. The only thing that bothers me at times is teacher are honored every day when is the last time a nurse or a doctor got the same repect one teaches our children the other saves lives every day......................Pearl
lilganurse
about 2 years ago
2 comments
Scope of practice is dependent upon the state in which you live and is limited for the most part.. The only true difference is the ability to hang blood and push IV drugs. So with this being said the gap between the two is almost non-existent. I have been both and realize that there is something to be said for hands on experience. You can read about something all day long but until you must act or should i say react, then you never really know what you are doing... Frankly I am disappointed in the local colleges and universities for graduating the type of nurses that they are. These grad nurses have absolutely no common sense and feel as though they are entitled. Nursing is 1% Knowledge and 99% compassion. It is a way of life and should be respected as such.. So LPN , RN it doesn't really matter. What matters is the care that you give to your patients...
Account Removed
about 2 years ago
The real key is, without the team work of both LPN's and RN's the patient would not receive the quality of care they are entitled to at the mercy of our health care system. Learning to work together inspite of the differences and legal limitations and respecting each others role is the most important piece of the puzzle. The question is; Who does more, the Physician or the Nurse?