When you look at the roles of Licensed Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses, you may notice that the core of all nursing is the same. But upon further investigation, the licensing structure constitutes a well-oiled machine in the mechanics of patient healthcare. The following pages will compare and contrast the various roles of the licensed practical nurse and registered nurse, as well as the legal obligations and limitations. Scope of PracticeComparisons between Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) are simply the basics for all nurses. LVNs and RNs protect patient privacy, provide safe environments, and administer medications and treatments. The Texas Administration Code (2007) states that all nurses “will accurately and completely report and document: the client's status, including signs and symptoms; nursing care provided; orders from doctors, dentists or podiatrists; administration of medications and treatments; customer response(s); and contacts with other members of the health care team regarding significant events affecting the client's status” (D). Nurses must maintain a professional nurse-client relationship; it is their responsibility to know and recognize what this entails. Nurses are required by law to provide nursing care without discrimination regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, religion, health problem or socioeconomic status. Some other similarities include measures to prevent the spread of infectious pathogens, collaboration with other members of the healthcare team and the patient, and prevention of harm to the patient. Alternatively, LVNs and RNs have some distinct differences. RNs can work independently, but LVNs cannot. LVNs must report any new findings to the Navy. The RN can determine the foreseeable… middle of paper… whether or not it causes injury is an example of an unsafe practice. This act could also be classified as reckless or repetitive conduct that endangers the patient. Drug diversion is a type of drug dealing, nurses have access to many drugs and it is part of the nurses responsibility to ensure that those drugs go where they are supposed to, accurately documented and carefully supervised. Criminal conduct can occur in the workplace or in your free time. If a nurse is convicted of a crime, such as drunk driving, it could affect their ability to practice nursing. It is not within the legal scope of practice of an RN to medically diagnose any patient, order medical treatment, or conduct medical treatment that has not been ordered by a physician. It is the nurse's duty to the patient to exhibit sound clinical judgment, with the goal of ensuring patient safety..