What is the diffrence between a RN and LPN?

Question

What does each one do?

Answer 1

LPN's sometimes are not able to practice as broad a scope as RN's, and may have less room for advancement or supervisory positions than RN's.

In some cases, they cannot administer IV meds, and some hospitals require nurses to have a 2 or 4 year Nursing degree and RN designation. LPN is a certificate program.

Most LPN's work in a long-term care (Nursing home) setting.

RN's usually are paid more and get to do more, although there are exceptions.

P.S. I should say that this applies to LPN's in Canada. I have no idea about the US. Some LPN's in Canada take extra training and can do much if not all of the work RN's do. They just have less educational theory. Other LPN's are "pill pushers" in nursing homes, and do not do any complicated procedures. LPN courses take about 15 months to complete, and wages start at about $17-$24/hr. I would suggest a 4 year BN program at a university as it allows the most job opportunities and best pay.

In Canada, we have something called Certified Healthcare Aides (Nurse's Aids) who do jobs like make beds, change bedpans, and dress patients. Nurses do not usually do these jobs except when short staffed, or when they are working one to one with a patient in the ICU

Answer 2

Basically the only difference is that a LPN cannot hang IV drugs, and of course the pay. I am a LVN (same as LPN, but in California) and do the EXACT thing a RN does except hanging the drugs. I can put the IV in and hang any vitamins or regular saline, but not drugs. I give injections, do assessments and any other nursing duty you can think of. I was in the same situation as you with the long waiting period for the RN classes. I chose to become a LVN and am glad I did. The pay is still really great and I was able to get out of school in 16 months because I had already taken the prerequisites. You can easily do a bridge program to become a RN later. I think your plan is great!

Answer 3

An RN has either an Associates Degree from a Junior College (2 years) or a Bachelors Degree from a University (4 years). The LPN has a 12-18 month training through a Vocational/Technical school with no degree.

Answer 4

About $25 an hour in pay is the biggest difference. LPN = 1 year of nursing school; RN (BA) = 4 years of school. LPNs have less training so are not allowed to do as many medical procedures as the RNs.....check out the local community college career counselor, they will be able to tell you everything about the two and then you can decide.

Answer 5

RN is a Registered Nurse LPN is a Lisenced Practical Nurse. RNs have to go to School longer about 2 years and LPNs can be lisenced In under a year I believe. RNs do more of the filling doc's orders and IV's. LPNs do the meds and more floor work.

Answer 6

RN is a Registered Nurse.

LPN is a Licsensed (sp?) Practical Nurse.

RN requires a 4 year degree LPN only requires an associates.

A RN has the ability to perform a wider variety of tasks and can have more job availiability and better pay.

Answer 7

RN has a bachelor of science degree. LPN have certification from an accredited vocational or business school.

Answer 8

yes, pay scale as well as resposibility in health care, the amount of schooling, the types of jobs offered. there are many subtle differences. basically RNs have a higher level of training in the nursing profession

Answer 9

Rn
gives medican and is head for sheft for nurses
4 year degree
more money

lpn
is just there to help, make beds
get food
help patients dress...ect
2 year of school
less pay

Answer 10

pay scale