Comparing and Contrasting the Scope of Practice for LPN and RN Roles as per the Minnesota Nurse Practice Act

A review of the Minnesota NPA as established by the standards of practice indicates that RNs and LPNs are legalized to practice almost similar roles. The standards of care under the Minnesota NPA define the roles of LPNs and RNs as both focused on the provision of primary health care services such as educating the patients on health issues, their health care plans, supporting physicians in the delivery of care services, and updating patient information and their development as per the health care plans.

However, the RN’s scope of practice is broader than the LP’s scope of practice, as RNs are authorized to perform roles beyond the LP’s level of competence. RNs in Minnesota can operate health equipment, diagnose diseases, administer medications, and perform other duties in collaboration with physicians, such as changing care plans and diagnosis, and directly contribute to the development of nursing and health care policies. On the other hand, the scope of practice for LPNs is limited, as defined by the Minnesota NPA. LPNs are authorized only to carry out simpler tasks than RNs and play a participatory role in primary care settings, including providing physicians with support during the diagnosis of a patient. LPNs are expected to ensure the safety of the health care setting, manage unlicensed assistive personnel, and play an advocacy role for individual patients. Despite their scope of practice, LPNs are required to perform their roles under the supervision of RNs.

Conclusion

Nurses play an important role within healthcare systems in the U.S and worldwide. Nurses’ roles are defined by the scope of practice within the state they practice their roles. However, they are accountable for the safety and quality of care they provide to their patients. The scope of practice for nurses is determined by their level of education, specialization, and their state’s NPA. RNs in Minnesota have a broader scope of practice than LPNs. As an RN, I will always refer to the provisions of the Minnesota NPA to ensure that I deliver care as per my skills and authority to avoid medical errors and risks to patient safety. I will also use the scope of practice to make decisions on my future career development nursing specialization.

References

Health Research Policy. (2022). What are the Roles of a Registered Nurse?. https://www.healthresearchpolicy.org/roles-registered-nurse/