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

April 13, 2010 - PRLog -- If you are thinking of nursing as a career, that can be a very good choice today.   There is a huge shortage of nurses and that shortage is expected to continue long into the future. It can also be a very rewarding and fulfilling career.  Here is helpful information you should know that will help as you consider nursing as a career.

In America, there are two forms of nursing designations.  The designation most people seem to be familiar with is the Registered Nurse.  It is also referred to by its abbreviation, RN.  The other designation is known as the LVN or Licensed Vocation Nurse. It is also referred to as a Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN.  These two are very similar.

So what's the difference between the two?

In general the RN requires more education than the LPN and they have a higher a level of responsibility within a medical facility.  The RN is generally responsible for the overall nursing plan of a patient's care. The RN would

also be more involved in management and administrative decisions.  The RN would most likely assign tasks to the LPN.  Even though they are responsible for the overall care of the patent the RN is less likely to become involved in the basic treatment activities for the patient like administering medication, giving shots, testing for blood pressure.

Because of their higher level of education the RN would be trained to have a more in depth knowledge of a patient's anatomy, physiology, and an understanding of the effects of disease.

The RN education can take different paths.  Some students study in a designated nursing program at a community college two year program and earn an Associate's degree.  They can also study nursing at a four year college and graduate with a Bachelor's of Science.  Both tracks require the successful passing of the NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse) national licensing examination.  With a degree in nursing, and having passed the NCLEX-RN, a person is qualified to practice as a registered nurse (RN).

The LPN is the nurse that performs the hands-on patient care activities.  They may work in doctors' offices, hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other clinical settings.   Their activities are usually supervised by a doctor or RN.  They will perform all sorts of tasks for a patient including: taking blood pressure, pulse and temperature, giving shots, changing dressings, cleaning wounds, administering medication and more.

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