What is the difference in practical nursing and just being a registrated nurse?

Question

I am a senior in high school and I am confused about my major. Will someone please help me...

Answer 1

Both are honorable professions that will result in you helping lots of people. RNs usually have a higher level of education and more responsibility than an LPN. RNs are able to perform nursing at a higher level in terms of delegation, skills/procedures, and positions (advanced practice nursing, management, etc). Both professions require education beyond high school, with LPN programs usually being shorter in length. Both also require liscensure by a regulating body (usually the state). I think it is important for you to maybe do some internet searches to read more about the limitations and possibilites of both fields. Another great thing to do is to try and shadow both a registered nurse and a liscenced practical nurse to understand just what their every-day responsibilities are like. Just keep in mind that people who hold either title can have a wide variety in what they do for a living. I am a registered nurse and am in school right now earning my master's degree in nursing to be a nurse anesthetist (I'll provide anesthesia to patients having surgery). There are also registered nurses who deliver babies, visit and provide care to people in their homes, and nurses who help develop public health programs. The field of nursing is vast, and there is a nursing shortage right now, so I am glad to see you are interested in the field. I feel that as a registered nurse, you may have an opportunity to do more things than as an LPN, but as I said before, both are good professions that are very rewarding!

Answer 2

The big difference in LPN and RN is that LPN are taught more basic-hands on nursing and patient care- and RN are taught more theory which makes their program longer (6months-1 years). LPNs *can* do IV's and most procedures RN's do. RN's study more in depth disease processes and such. They both make judgments based on best practice in caring for their patients. And take direction from the same Doctors. And if you are lucky you get to work with the best of both.

In all reality it depends on the nurse herself how she applies her education and practice of her abilities as to how far in the field she goes.

Answer 3

If really consider to choose nursing as your career, go for registrated nurse. As least you are able to perform more advanced care for your patients and the knowledge obtained is incredible!
Good Luck....

Answer 4

well a LPN can't do IV'S but a Rn can .
A LPN can don't do as much medical procedures as a Rn can.
that's really all it is a Rn goes to school alot longer than a LPN.Good Luck in choosing your career Nursing is a Great career to get into.

Answer 5

A great place to learn the differences between the two is the US Dept of Labor. They have a great web site for researching occupations of all sorts. Click on the following link for your research:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm