Nursing Jobs - Here's What You Need to Know About the Difference Between RN and LPN

If you are thinking of nursing as a career, that can beThe RN education can take different paths. Some
a very good choice today. There is a huge shortagestudents study in a designated nursing program at a
of nurses and that shortage is expected to continuecommunity college two year program and earn an
long into the future. It can also be a very rewardingAssociate's degree. They can also study nursing at a
and fulfilling career. Here is helpful information youfour year college and graduate with a Bachelor's of
should know that will help as you consider nursing asScience. Both tracks require the successful passing of
a career.the NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse) national licensing
In America, there are two forms of nursingexamination. With a degree in nursing, and having
designations. The designation most people seem topassed the NCLEX-RN, a person is qualified to
be familiar with is the Registered Nurse. It is alsopractice as a registered nurse (RN).
referred to by its abbreviation, RN. The otherThe LPN is the nurse that performs the hands-on
designation is known as the LVN or Licensedpatient care activities. They may work in doctors'
Vocation Nurse. It is also referred to as a Licensedoffices, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care
Practical Nurse or LPN. These two are very similar.facilities, and other clinical settings. Their activities are
So what's the difference between the two?usually supervised by a doctor or RN. They will
In general the RN requires more education than theperform all sorts of tasks for a patient including:
LPN and they have a higher a level of responsibilitytaking blood pressure, pulse and temperature, giving
within a medical facility. The RN is generallyshots, changing dressings, cleaning wounds,
responsible for the overall nursing plan of a patient'sadministering medication and more.
care. The RN wouldalso be more involved inThe education for the LPN is much less than the RN.
management and administrative decisions. The RNWhere RN training can take 2 years of more, the
would most likely assign tasks to the LPN. Eventraining to become a LPN is usually a program of
though they are responsible for the overall care ofabout 1 year in length. Course work for the LPN can
the patent the RN is less likely to become involved inbe taken at a community college or technical college.
the basic treatment activities for the patient likeSimilar to the RN, in order to be certified to practice,
administering medication, giving shots, testing forthe LPN must also pass the NCLEX Test. However,
blood pressure.this test is a version oriented for the Practicing Nurse.
Because of their higher level of education the RNIt is called the NCLEX-PN test.
would be trained to have a more in depth knowledgeWhatever choice you decide to take, nursing can be
of a patient's anatomy, physiology, and ana very rewarding and in demand career.
understanding of the effects of disease.