I belive there are some RN's that don't work as hard as LPN's and then there are many who work just as hard. I'm and LPN and I work with RN's LPN's and CCA's (or PCW's).
I think all of us make contributions to the nursing care the residents recieve and without anyone of the three, things would be a lot harder. Personally I've worked both as an LPN and as a CCA and I find physically the CCA work is much more demanding but being an LPN is just as demanding just not on my back...don't get me wrong I still help out on the floors when I'm not passing out meds, charting, dsg wounds, taking vitals, giving enemas/suppositories, or assessing client.......
I just find my work very busy and most of the RN's are just as busy and although we do a lot of the same things he/she does get paid more for a reason...in my work the RN is responsible to be everywhere and do all levels of work including supervising all the staff and making the important decisions.
I think there are probably LPN's that could do RN's jobs well, as there are RN's who could do Dr.'s jobs well and CCA who have done LPN's jobs (in the past )well but there has to be a divide and education is that divide.
As far as pay goes well LPN's are underpaid but Its not the RN's who decided our rate.
I love my work because I get to know people and share in their lives, sometimes I even get to make it better and as much as I joke about being a "pill pusher" I know not everyone could do what I do and do it well. I also know that when someones calls for a nurse they are just as happy to see me as the RN and most of the elderly I care for don't differentiate between us, they don't see the title just the care they recieve and that makes me smile.