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Lpn Versus Rn: Different Paths to Nursing

Whether you’re a patient trying to navigate the medical field or a student interested in a career in health care, understanding the types of nursing degrees will provide you with the information to make smart, informed choices. These guidelines offer that information, and demonstrate the key differences between the two general paths to nursing.

Whether you're a patient trying to navigate the medical field or a student interested in a career in health care, understanding the types of nursing degrees will provide you with the information to make smart, informed choices. These guidelines offer that information, and demonstrate the key differences between the two general paths to nursing.

When visiting a physician's office or hospital, patients almost always interact with a nurse. They are briefed and prepped, measured and poked, supported and escorted out the door. What they may not realize, however, is that not every nurse is the same. In fact, significant differences exist between licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, and registered nurses, or RNs. These include level of education and knowledge, responsibilities, and professional advancement. With a better understanding of the individual roles of health care personnel, patients can gain greater perspective on their experience in the medical world.

Course of Study

LPNs and RNs both base their course of study on nursing arts and sciences, typically with a background in other areas of science or the humanities. LPN programs generally take one year, whereas future RNs spend between two and four years completing their degrees. This allows RNs to gain a broader and deeper understanding of necessary topics and a more specialized body of knowledge, including physiology, pharmacology, clinical practice, delivery systems, research utilization, resource management and team functioning. This extra time also increases the cost of an RN education. For example, one college offers an LPN program at an average cost of $3,650 over one to one and a half years, while its RN program averages around $7,980 over two to three years. Additionally, RNs are expected to continuously supplement their nursing education. While both LPNs and RNs must maintain mental and physical competence to continue working, RNs are increasingly encouraged to pursue bachelor's degrees and actively acquire new learning and skills.

Professional Expectations

The responsibilities of an LPN and an RN vary as well. In general, LPNs function in a “dependent” role that requires supervision or assistance from an RN or physician. RNs, on the other hand, may take action independently if they see fit. RNs also address a wider spectrum of issues than LPNs. The primary focus for an LPN is the client; she provides direct patient care, including determining status, devising a plan and evaluating outcomes. An RN performs these duties as well, often in more complex or unpredictable cases than those handled by an LPN due to her greater breadth and depth of knowledge. Her scope also encompasses families, culture, communities and populations, and psychological aspects such as coping mechanisms. In addition, RNs are responsible for creating and revising nursing care plans and medical information records. While LPNs often undertake these tasks as well and are equally legally accountable for documentation, RNs' greater mastery of the relevant information may effect more detailed results.

Career Paths

The career paths of LPNs and RNs often lead in different directions. Currently, the majority of LPNs work in nursing homes or act as a charge nurse in a long term care environment. RNs perform in these capacities as well, but more commonly work in hospitals or medical offices. RNs also have a greater potential for advancement, as they may achieve higher level nursing positions such as director of a nursing home or nurse manager, albeit sometimes with additional education. Finally, pay rates differ between LPNs and RNs. The hourly wage for an LPN averages around $12-$14 per hour, while RNs typically make between $18-$20 per hour.

Although licensed practical nurses and registered nurses may seem similar at the doctor's office, they have taken two separate routes to providing patient care. Differences in education, responsibilities and career choices result in distinct positions serving specific circumstances. Regardless, both LPNs and RNs strive to help others and perform a greatly beneficial service to society.

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Comments (20)
#1 by Tricia, Apr 6, 2007
I am currently an LPN upgrading to become an RN and I do not fully agree with some of the information that you are posting regarding:
1) Wages are incorrect (for RN's and Lpn's)
2) LPN's do not require to be supervised by and RN as they are legally responsible and accountable for their own practice. In fact, it is not uncommon for you to see and LPN in a management position in charge of a floor especially in a long term care facility.

I could go on and on, but I do recommend that you do some more research before you post such false information.

Tricia
#2 by Mary Wood RN, Apr 17, 2007
All nurses, including LPN's and RN's practice nursing under the laws of their respective states and these laws are called Nurse Practice Acts. In most states (and probably all states), LPN's practice under the supervision of a Physician or RN. Yes, each nurse is held legally responsible and accountable for their own actions, but their practice is limited by the legal mandates within the state where they practice as a nurse.

This is called "Scope of Practice" and it limits the autonomy of the nurse to provide care within the limits of what they know. The purpose of these laws is to protect, promote, and preserve the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating and controling the practice of practical nursing.

In the state I reside in, a LPN who occupies a management position in charge of a floor of patients, does this under the supervision of an RN or a physician. LPN's are not independent practitioners and can risk having their license revoked by the Board of Examiners in their respective state if they operate outside of their legal "Scope of Practice".

I encourage the LPN, Tricia, who objected to the correct information provided on this web site, to research her Nurse Practice Act in order to keep herself from violating public law. This Nurse Practice Act is readily available on the Board of Nursing Web Site and when nurses accept their LPN licence, they agreed to operate within the legal restrictions of the state that issues the license. Mary Wood, RN
#3 by Kool Kid , Oct 14, 2007
Nurses Rock Baby !!
#4 by happy, Nov 30, 2007
OH GEE HERE WE GO. LPN/RN PEEING CONTEST.
#5 by happy, Nov 30, 2007
yes Mary RN, we all know about The Nurse Practice Act, you certainly do not need to school us the role of RN's and LPN's. We all know that RN's have alot more education behind them. Thank goodness for RN's.
#6 by Dennis, Feb 26, 2008
Yeah Mary and the article's author need to review how it is now, not 10-20 years ago.

CNAs make roughly $11-13/hour
LPNs make roughly $16-20/hour
RNs make roughly $23-30/hour

#7 by polly, Mar 26, 2008
wow,
I sure am glad that I am in a different part of the country. As an LPN I make 24 dollars an hour.
#8 by Sophia, Apr 14, 2008
Polly what country your FRom so I can move there too?lol
#9 by newlpngrad, Jun 16, 2008
Hi Polly, move north, I am a new grad LPN, making nearly $32/hr plus northern allowance-how cool! I can appreciate both the LPN and RN as I am pursuing my Bachelor of Nursing at the moment-our roles are similar but it seems as it's seen to much as "LPN'S vs RN's"....silly arguments

#10 by Polly, Jun 17, 2008
I am near Chicago, however will not be moving north. The cost of living in my town is soooo low, with Chicago wages and hick town cost of living it will be a long time before I move!
#11 by dj, Aug 6, 2008
i wanna know where up north do u stay, makin that kind of money a LPN
#12 by karen, Aug 7, 2008
from karen in chicago. I am a LPN, thinking of bridging over to RN. Does anyone know. How much school I will need? Do you have to take the whole 2yr program or is it less?
#13 by wow, Aug 20, 2008
um ok
#14 by eh, Aug 27, 2008
whoa, $32/hr plus northern allowance?? Do you live in Alaska or something? There's no way LPNs make that much in the 48 states.
#15 by susy, Aug 30, 2008
Re Karen's question, I think the upgrade from LPN -RN is about 2-3 more yrs to get the RN degree
#16 by Sharon, Sep 3, 2008
I am in my mid 40s and out of the blue have a desire to persue the nursing field. I think I will act on this, seems to be a great deal of opportunity out there. I have found a reasonable CNA program and think its a good start. Will I be able to apply that certification toward an LPN program if i decide to continue in this direction?
#17 by trecia, Sep 11, 2008
me and a friend are trying to get our LPN and are resurching. my email is (loutreciaobrien@yahoo.com) if you could send me any info. it would be awsome. we live in missori so if theres a better place to live that would be awsome as well :)
#18 by Alexis, Sep 28, 2008
I live in Northern NJ! Starting graduate pay for a new Rn is around $30 an hour. The program I am in only gives LPN's credit for Nursing I (one semester) after they take a test showing they know the content. They also have to get all the college pre-reqs finished before they can be accepted into our program . That can take a while if done part time because of the heavy science courses. They also have to hope that someone quit or failed out of Nursing I so there will be room for them to start in Nursing II.I would not waste my time getting an LPN unless you LOVE geriatrics!!!!! Hospitals will not even hire LPN's around here anymore.
#19 by L...LPN, Oct 2, 2008
I live in Central Missouri and as a private duty nurse I make $28.00/hr. I take care of one patient in her home and she a nurse with her 24/7. There are both LPN\'s and RN,s employed by her family. I have been with her for 7 years. I have been in school to get my RN and will graduate in 1 1/2 years with my BSN. I have been an LPN for 15 years and I am IV certified. I love my job and having the ability to work for who I want when I want without working for an agency. I agree with some other postings regarding the \"pissing contest\", why does there have to be such conflict between LPN\'s and RN\'s????, aren\'t we all there to provide the best care possible for our patients? Over the years let me assure you, I have worked with just as many incompetent LPN\'s as RN\'s! To attain the degree and pass the boards does not mean that an RN is any \"Better\" than an LPN. Each nurse must maintain the knowledge they have acquired and continually keep up on the frequently changing medical field. If you do not keep yourself accountable for which ever degree you have attained, then it does not matter what your title is....you will fail yourself and eventually your patients. So keep in mind that we are all out there working for the same thing; excellent patient care, and we must work together without egos!
#20 by VpG III, Oct 6, 2008
To: L...LPN

Your Oct 2nd posting was very well stated! As a simpleton reading through the comments I agree with you. I have always wanted to work as a nurse in the Emergency Department and at 39 years old, I am hoping the doors of opportunity will open and make that possible. The last thing anyone wants to do is feel the tension between co-workers. Needless to say, nursing has a lot of demands in itself, there doesn't need to be added stress on those rendering care to others. May you all continue doing a fabulous job, and remember there are many people looking up to you and appreciating your best efforts.
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