Whats the difference between an RN and a LVN? Im considering going in to nursing but im not sure where to?
Asked by MoFace
start. Any suggestions or ideas?

Best Answer:
In terms of education. the LVN can be obtained in about 12 months from a tech or vocational college. You usually do not earn a degree but rather a certification or diploma. Your scope of practice is more narrow. . . you can perform some limited assessments (vital signs), pass medications, performed some skilled nursing cares like wound care / dressing changes, as well as general patient care tasks that nursing assistants can also do like feeding, bathing, helping with mobility. You do some patient education as well. The RN duties are more in depth and require more education. A minimum of an Assoc. Degree in Nursing is required. You are more knowledgable in anatomy & physiology and disease pathology and pharmacology, have a better understanding of how to critically evaluate the patient data to synthesize it into a diagnosis or form interventions designed to meet pt. care outcomes or goals. An RN does all the same things an LVN does on top of that. But mostly RNs are more about coordinating the care of the patient. They delegate tasks to LVNs and CNAs, they work closely with the physicians, and other medical staff to ensure the contiuum of care. There is a heavy emphasis on discharge planning and education. Lots of charting and documentation. In terms of salary, LVNs make around $16-20 per hour and would top out at not much more than $22 if you're lucky after years of experience. For an RN, starting salary is around $25-$30 in most places, and only goes up from there. You can earn a BSN later on - for direct patient care jobs it doesn't make you much more money, maybe a dollar per hour. The BSN is more if you're looking for advancing professionally into leadership / management / administrative roles. Then you will potentially make more money with this degree. It's also required to hold a BSN if you're going on to graduate school to earn a Masters or Doctorate of Nursing Practice so that you can specialize somehow, perhaps as a Nurse Practitioner, etc. You could start as an LVN and find an LVN to RN bridge program and later do an RN to BSN or RN to MSN bridge program and just take it one step at a time, but that's not necessary to start as an LVN. Good luck!
RN, BSN
Answered by Jill

There is a significant difference between the two types of nurses. One is a Licensed Vocational Nurse, and then the other one is a Registered Nurse. The Licensed Vocational Nurse, is similar to that of an occupational therapist, or something along that lines. They assist those who are wanting to get back to work, and those who are also ones with disabilities or illnesses that need help with assessing their work situation, and that need assistance with some areas like that. The following duties are the ones that LVN are responsible for, but not limited to: 1) Creating plans to help either people who are ill or injured to get back to work, and adapt with their illness or injury back to either their current work, or to a modified work situation. 2) Still help with the vitals, and the wellness of the individual 3) Help people with disabilities such as physical disabilities and also with mental health issues learn skills, and help them to adapt to society. The Registered Nurse deals more with the acute/chronic areas that are in a hospital setting usually. These individuals primarily do most of the following. Some typical jobs that they are responsible for, but are not limited to the following duties: 1) Vital Signs -- blood pressure, oxygen, temperature, pulse, resps, 2) Triaging -- prioritizes patients according to severity 3) Dispensing Medications -- intravenously, by mouth, topical etc. 4) Reports to doctors anything new that they see 5) Helps patients turn over, and to transfer to either a chair or wheelchair 6) Answers requests for various items 7) Helps reassure patients and families about the illness or injury 8) Helps with personal hygiene and with dressing each morning and night. 9) Brings a bedpan, or commode (toilet on a wheelchair) to the bedside if patients are unable to get to the washroom by themselves. 10) Establishes an intravenous, and inserts catheters 11) Provides necessary infection control to prevent outbreaks. 12) Initiates and follows through with "code blues" as necessary 13) Follows the orders that doctor's leave them to follow 14) Inserts feeding tubes, and other things as necessary under the direction of a doctor. 15) Organizes tests and other diagnostic information that doctors may request. 16) Able to multi-task with usually 3-4 patients or more, if working somewhere other than palliative care or ICU. These are only a few of the things that an RN has to do. I hope that this has helped you to be able to decide which one you're most interested in doing.
Answered by mtwaites

LVN cannot do IV meds and is limited in pay & advancement. set your goal high and get your BSN. talk to your college counselor.
Answered by versantly

There really is not that much difference between an LPN/LVN and a RN with a 2 year degree. Both can work in hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. Most LPN/LVN are required to have an IV therapy course. This means they may start IV's, hang IV medications and in some states push IV medications. A LPN/LVN goes to school between 12 to 18 months. Now a four year RN or a RN with a Masters Degree have many more work options. I hope this helps some of your other answers are not correct. Be sure you really want to be a nurse it is a hard job but the pay is good.
Answered by Craig M