Registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) - which healthcare career path is best?

Registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) - which healthcare career path is best? There is a distinct difference between the two nursing roles. It is important to understand the career goals and job responsibilities of each before embarking on an educational journey.

RN Education

To become an RN, the educational path is usually longer than that to become an LPN. There are several different options leading to licensure as a registered nurse:

• Hospital-based diploma program, which are slowly becoming obsolete; there is no college credit earned in such a program
• Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes 2 years to earn
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes 4 years to earn; this degree level leads to more management and college-level teaching opportunities

All registered nurses must successfully pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to confirm their competence in the nursing field.

LPN Education

LPN education is offered through a flexible program. It is sometimes attended on a part-time basis, especially using evening or weekend hours. It usually takes one to two years to complete.

All eligible licensed practical nurses must successfully pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

A vast majority of LPNs graduate from an accredited program and then continue on their educational pathway to become a registered nurse. The program to transition from an LPN to an RN can be done on a part-time basis while an LPN works in their new role.

RN Responsibilities

It is important to always reference the Nurse Practice Act from state-to-state to determine the legal responsibilities of a practicing nurse, whether in an RN or LPN capacity.

RNs develop and evaluate the overall patient care plan. They determine the plan of action based upon their assessment of the patient in conjunction with the attending physician’s orders.

There are basic and intricate duties that RNs can execute, which LPNs cannot legally perform:

• Initial assessment of the patient for the purpose of developing a plan of nursing care
• Formulate a nursing care plan
• Hang blood and blood products
• Push IV medications
• Titrate drugs
• Hang chemotherapy
• Directly supervise professional performance and duties of LPNs and health aides

LPN Responsibilities

Licensed practical nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses and physicians. They deliver much of the direct bedside patient care in health facilities.

LPNs basic responsibilities include:

• Direct patient care is the primary focus of an LPN
• Executing the nursing care plan formulated by an RN
• Data collection like intake and output and monitoring vital signs

RN Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to every job, on many different levels. RNs are no different in that respect:

Pros

• 50 percent of RNs work in physician’s offices
• Entry-level RNs earn twice the salary of an entry-level LPN
• Management positions are most often offered to RNs, especially those with a BSN
• Job opportunities to teach at the college level are available for RNs, especially those with a BSN

Cons

• Tuition is higher than that for an LPN program
• It is important to note that career advancement opportunities are most frequently afforded to RNs holding a BSN, rather than an ADN or diploma. The BSN program takes the RN education beyond basic direct patient care practices, in order to prepare for advanced roles.

LPN Pros and Cons

Pros

• Majority work in a healthcare facility
• Tuition is more affordable than that for an RN program

Cons

• Entry-level salary is about half that of an entry-level RN
• There is not as much room for advancement and career growth as there is in the RN role

Whether choosing to enroll in an RN or an LPN program, degree-driven or not, a career in healthcare is rewarding, earns a significant paycheck and offers job security moving forward. The pros of either choice make the decision an easy one and a good career move.