Final answer:
Nurses can hold dual licensure as an LPN and RN as well as licensure in a non-nursing profession, with compliance to state regulations being mandatory. The BLS provides employment data for nurses, determining equilibrium salaries in the labor market.
Step-by-step explanation:
Can a nurse working as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) hold dual licensure as both a registered nurse (RN) and LPN or as an LPN and another profession? Yes, an individual can hold multiple licenses in different healthcare roles, such as being both an LPN and RN. However, the scope of practice for each role is distinct and must be adhered to when performing professional duties. For example, an RN generally has a broader scope of practice than an LPN. Additionally, an individual can have licensure in a non-nursing profession; however, the ability to practice in both professions simultaneously depends on the specific state regulations and the individual's capacity to maintain the requirements for each licensed role.
In terms of the labor market for nursing, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides data on the number of nurses employed in a specific area and their typical workplaces. For instance, in 2020, nearly 41,000 registered nurses worked in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin metropolitan area, employed in hospitals, doctor's offices, schools, health clinics, and nursing homes. The demand and supply in this labor market determine the equilibrium salary for nurses, influenced by the quantity supplied and quantity demanded at different salary levels.