Nurses play a powerful role in shaping the healthcare sector and supporting patients as they navigate various health challenges. This profession is quite diverse, encompassing professionals with numerous degrees, certifications, and scopes of practice.
Different levels of practice allow nurses to address different patient needs or concerns, but all types of nursing are important. Among the most familiar nursing roles? Licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN).
Both types of nurses interact closely with patients, handling many of the basic but critical tasks that the public associates with nursing. Without both, the healthcare sector would be far less efficient. Patients would also miss the warmth and compassion that help them stay positive while facing complex health issues.
There is no denying the value that all types of nurses bring to the healthcare industry, but it is also essential to recognize what, exactly, sets various levels of nursing apart. If you’re just beginning to plan a promising career in nursing, you will want to be especially mindful of the differences between licensed practical nurse and registered nurse.
From education level to scope of practice, there is much to consider, especially as you determine which degree or diploma to pursue. Keep reading for a thorough overview of the licensed practical nurse vs. registered nurse decision-making process.
What Is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic patient care under the supervision of other healthcare professionals. Critical to maintaining efficiency within the healthcare environment, LPNs streamline everyday workflows by monitoring patients and assisting with daily routines. By handling basic tasks, LPNs free up RNs to focus on performing assessments and developing care plans.
Coordinated care is essential, but LPNs find great satisfaction in bringing comfort and confidence to their patients. They can provide a powerful point of human connection for patients who might otherwise feel nervous or stressed.
Role and Scope of Practice
Compared to RNs, LPNs maintain a relatively limited scope of practice. For some LPNs, this is actually what makes the role appealing, as some prefer delivering basic care over planning it.
- Taking vital signs. From temperature to heart rate and blood pressure, LPNs may measure and record vital signs, providing valuable insight into patients’ current conditions. If these vital signs exceed normal ranges, LPNs can pass this information on to RNs, NPs, or physicians, who may rely on this information to inform diagnoses.
- Administering basic care. LPNs are authorized to handle basic tasks such as changing bandages or inserting catheters. They may also assist patients with routines such as dressing or bathing, especially when caring for patients in hospitals or long-term settings.
- Keeping detailed records. Often acting as a liaison between patients and RNs or physicians, LPNs relay crucial information and keep detailed records to ensure that critical details can be referenced. Charting is both clinically and legally significant, so the importance of detail-oriented record-keeping cannot be overstated.
Differences exist between states, with LPNs sometimes authorized to administer medication or even to handle intravenous (IV) drips. It is important to verify state-specific scopes of practice before entering the field, as this can have a dramatic impact on the day-to-day routines and responsibilities of LPNs.
Education and Training
Much of the appeal of working as an LPN relates to the quick pathway to professional success. Following just a few months of training, aspiring LPNs can get licensed and enter the field.
Typically, aspiring LPNs pursue nursing diplomas, which provide a basic overview of career-critical topics such as medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology. Labs and clinical applications help future LPNs develop practical skills. After entering the workforce, LPNs can continue their education as they work towards meeting stricter RN requirements.
What Is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient-centered care, beginning with comprehensive assessments and extending to diagnosis, care planning, and even patient education. This term also references an official credential granted to nurses who have undergone extensive clinical training and passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Role and Scope of Practice
The RN scope of practice is broader than that of the LPN, with RNs taking on a greater level of decision-making authority, especially regarding assessment and treatment strategies. Key responsibilities include:
- Performing assessments and supporting diagnoses. Nursing assessments allow RNs to understand the big picture of each patient’s health status. This, in turn, can inform diagnoses. LPNs can contribute to these assessments by taking vital signs and gathering other information, but RNs are ultimately responsible for interpreting details gathered through assessments and drawing on these insights to help formulate diagnoses.
- Administering medications. Although RNs are not permitted to prescribe medications, they can administer them as ordered by physicians or nurse practitioners (NPs). When administering medications, RNs must confirm patients’ identities and also verify that the right medications are provided at the proper doses.
- Care planning. Offering a valuable road map to guide the patient experience, care planning determines how nurses will help meet specific patient needs. Following assessments and diagnoses, RNs help patients set goals and develop interventions based on clinical guidelines and nursing best practices. RNs may also coordinate with other healthcare professionals (such as LPNs) to implement care plans.
Education and Licensure
These days, it is not possible to become an RN without an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This degree program expands on the basic concepts covered via diploma programs, with the ADN promising a deeper dive into health promotion, pharmacology, and microbiology.
Although the ADN largely remains sufficient for securing entry-level RN opportunities, there is a huge push throughout the industry towards bachelor’s level credentials. Some nurses may earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prior to becoming RNs. That said, it is common to enter the field as an ADN-trained RN and then continue on with an RN to BSN bridge program.
Key Differences Between LPNs and RNs
Despite their similarities, LPNs and RNs have distinct roles that call for unique skill sets and can lead to decidedly different experiences on the job. Below, we’ve outlined a few key differences that emerge when comparing licensed practical nurse to registered nurse.
Education and Training
While LPNs typically complete diploma programs, it takes a higher level of training to become an RN. Depending on specific career goals or other plans, this might involve seeking an ADN or a BSN. A core part of this effort involves studying for the NCLEX-RN, which nurses must pass prior to gaining the title of RN.
Job Responsibilities
LPNs and RNs may share some tasks, such as taking vital signs or changing bandages. However, RNs are more often responsible for assessing patients and assisting in care-related decision-making.
Both types of nurses enjoy rich and meaningful interactions with patients, but the purpose of these interactions can vary. LPNs aim to bring comfort to those who may feel stressed while navigating healthcare settings. Patient education is a core component of registered nursing, with RNs expected to help patients understand how they can take an active role in improving their own health.
Salary and Job Outlook
The shift from LPN to RN can prompt significant salary increases, including both a higher starting salary and further improvements upon acquiring additional experience, degrees, or certifications. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn median wages of $59,730 per year and have a job outlook of 3 percent.
The BLS reports that registered nurses earn median annual wages of $86,070 and hold a promising outlook of 6 percent. This can vary from one specialty to the next, and RNs with in-demand specializations may approach or even exceed six figures while also enjoying a high level of job stability.
How to Choose Between Becoming an LPN or RN
Nursing careers are deeply rewarding, and no matter which degree you earn or which level of nursing you attain, you can help patients improve their health and well-being. Still, careful planning is important, as this can shape educational pursuits, wages, and day-to-day life as a nurse.
Factors to Consider
When comparing licensed practical nurse to registered nurse, consider your why for entering the nursing profession in the first place. Do you want to provide direct care or take on more of a problem-solving approach? Do you have specific goals for who you care for (or where), or are you simply happy to connect with patients and help them feel cared for and comfortable?
As you determine which role fulfills your vision of nursing, keep these factors in mind:
- Personal interests. Many nurses feel drawn to specific settings or types of care. At the LPN level, however, it may be difficult to accommodate these interests. If you are interested in working with a specific patient population or in a certain facility, for example, training to become an RN may be preferable, as ADN and BSN programs provide more opportunities to specialize.
- Long-term goals. If you are eager to shape the nursing workforce as a nurse leader, you will almost certainly need to obtain your BSN. Leadership roles are generally not available to LPNs, but many high-level RNs have the opportunity to oversee fellow nurses and other healthcare professionals.
- Work-life balance. All nurses work hard, and long hours are a definite possibility for both LPNs and RNs. Similarly, both levels of nursing can provide opportunities to work fewer hours and enjoy life away from the healthcare landscape. Because RNs receive more opportunities to specialize, they may be better equipped to plan careers that align with work-life priorities, with many securing steady 9-to-5 positions in, for example, dermatology clinics. That being said, there are many part-time LPN positions, and some nurses even feel that this role carries less of a mental load.
- Income and financial investment. For many healthcare professionals, the licensed practical nurse vs. registered nurse debate ultimately comes down to earning potential. Simply put, RNs earn more, and as they continue to climb the career ladder, they can see major increases in income over time. However, training to become an RN takes longer and may cost more.
Transitioning From LPN to RN
As you weigh your options, keep in mind that the decision to become an LPN does not prevent you from continuing to advance in your career. Bridge programs allow you to expand your clinical skill set while also taking a deep dive into advanced nursing theories and evidence-based practice. In fact, your experience as an LPN might help you understand concepts covered through ADN or BSN coursework.
The Unique Contributions of LPNs and RNs to Patient Care
The healthcare environment would look dramatically different without the impressive contributions of LPNs and RNs. These passionate, hard-working nurses share a desire to help patients feel as healthy and comfortable as possible.
Both LPNs and RNs deserve our respect and gratitude, and as the American Nurses Association (ANA) points out, “each level of licensure offers various job opportunities and a path to a satisfying career.”
Collaborative Roles in Healthcare
LPNs and RNs work together to deliver coordinated care while handling different, but complementary aspects of the patient experience. Their tasks and routines are carefully planned and aligned to streamline overall healthcare workflows.
In general, RNs perform assessments, assist with diagnoses, and develop care plans, and LPNs help gather information for assessments and carry out key tasks to implement existing care plans.
Impact on Patient Outcomes
By working together, LPNs and RNs can dramatically improve health outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. They address different aspects of the patient experience but must also coordinate their efforts to ensure that patient needs are consistently met and that care plans are properly implemented.
Done right, this coordinated approach ensures that patients are accurately diagnosed and consistently monitored, so emerging health concerns are quickly identified and addressed. Along the way, LPNs and RNs share insights and prevent treatment gaps, enhancing patient safety and comfort throughout the entire care journey.
Level Up Your Nursing Career With Nevada State University
You love nursing and are ready to take the next step in your career. Now, it’s time to choose the right degree program. If you are already an RN, you can benefit from entering a bridge program to refine your nursing skills and knowledge.
You’ll find plenty of support at Nevada State University, which offers multiple pathways for ambitious nurses. For example, the RN to BSN online program encourages RNs to embrace evidence-based practice and explore passion-driven specializations. Get in touch today to learn more about our nursing programs.