LPN vs RN: Learn The Key Differences Between The Two Positions

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) both play vital roles in patient care, but there are distinct differences between the two positions. In each role, you have a separate scope of practice, with RNs often providing guidance and supervision to LPNs. What you will do as an RN or an LPN do will depend on the licensing and rules of your state, but RNs have more advanced education and training than an LPN and a higher level of responsibility.

Scope of Practice for a Licensed Practical Nurse

As an LPN, you work under the supervision of an RN or physician. You cannot perform advanced nursing procedures or make independent clinical decisions. But that doesn’t mean you’re not a busy and important member of the healthcare team. Some of your responsibilities include:

• Measure blood pressure and other vital signs
• Take and record medical histories
• Perform basic wound care and dressing
• Administer medication per a nursing treatment plan
• Collect blood or urine specimens
• Assist with patient procedures
• Bathe and groom patients who are unable to care for themselves
• Ensure that patients are as comfortable as possible
• Monitor patients for changes in health
• Provide emotional support and advocacy for patients and families
• Educate patients and families on medical care

As an LPN, you don’t make diagnoses, insert IVs or administer medication intravenously, flush PICC lines, or perform dialysis.

Scope of Practice for a Registered Nurse

As an RN, you have more responsibility than an LPN. While you still cannot diagnose patients, prescribe medications, or order treatments, you can assess patients and escalate care. Some of the responsibilities you have as an RN include:

• Perform triage
• Assess patient health
• Administer medication or other treatments
• Establish a basic IV line and draw blood
• Perform direct patient care and procedures
• Coordinate patient care with other members of healthcare team
• Supervise CNAs and LPNs
• Create patient care plans
• Educate patients and provide resources for health risks
• Advocate for patients
• Take on leadership and mentorship roles

As an RN, you cannot certify the time of death of a patient or perform surgeries. But you can assist with procedures. You usually report to a physician, and you have the authority to delegate duties to an LPN as long as the tasks are within the LPN scope of practice.

LPN Specializations

You can choose a healthcare specialization as an LPN. While specialization may involve additional training or certification, it can also enhance your job satisfaction and potential earnings. Some areas to consider are:

• Geriatrics
• Pediatrics
• Home Health Care
• Long-Term Care
• Hospice and Palliative Care
• Rehabilitation Nursing
• Mental Health

RN Specializations

As an RN, you can specialize in any of the areas that an LPN might choose but because you have more advanced training, you can go even further. Among the specializations you might consider are:

• Critical Care Nursing (ICU)
• Emergency Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Surgical/Perioperative Nursing
• Neonatal Nursing (NICU)
• Cardiac Nursing
• Labor and Delivery Nursing

And if you pursue more advanced training and credentials, you might become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator. You might even decide to enter public health nursing to focus on improving community health by conducting health education, administering vaccines, and managing public health programs. Or you could consider unique nursing paths such as flight nursing or forensic nursing. Your career is limited only by your curiosity and willingness to continuously learn.

LPN Education

Because your scope of practice as an LPN is narrower than an RN, you only need a certificate in practical nursing from an accredited program and appropriate licensure to work in the field. With a practical nursing training program, you can complete your coursework in as few as 18 months or 78 weeks. A training program teaches you the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in this profession and provides hands-on experience through a clinical immersion at a medical facility. A licensed practical nursing training program can also prepare you to work in a variety of environments, including in a pediatric ward, outpatient surgical center, or mental health clinic.

RN Education

To be a registered nurse, you need an associate or bachelor’s degree, which can take two to four years to complete. Your RN training will focus more on nursing care and provide an in-depth look at topics like pharmacology and physiology. You also complete a clinical rotation at a local healthcare facility. This experience allows you to practice your skills in a real-world facility under the guidance of licensed professionals. It helps boost your confidence, network with healthcare workers, and gain practical experience for your career and your resume.

Licensing for LPNs and RNs

Whether you choose to become an LPN or an RN, you need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). This exam is a requirement for licensure in all 50 states and for gainful employment. LPNs take the NCLEX-PN while RNs sit for the NCLEX-RN. Both exams test for the appropriate knowledge base needed for each position.

To register for the NCLEX, you need to apply for licensure in your state. The application process is similar for both roles. You fill out an application form, submit to a background check, and pay a fee. The fee can vary by license and from state to state. For example, the New Jersey licensing board requires a $65 fee for PN licenses and $120 for RN licenses¹.

Are you ready to get on the path to a nursing career? Becoming a Practical Nurse is a good place to start. At Lincoln Tech, we offer a Practical Nurse training program that can prepare you for entry-level work in a hospital, private practice, or outpatient care center. Our facilities are equipped with labs that replicate real-world settings, and our instructors have years of experience in the medical field. To learn more, please fill out the form or call our nearest campus.

¹ New Jersey Board https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/renewals/Pages/Nurse.aspx Retrieved November 2, 2024