However, these procedures may vary from state to state. It is important for LPNs to know their scope of practice in the state where they practice. LPNs have the opportunity to work in several settings including, but not limited to: nursing homes, hospitals, home health, and schools. RNs provide most of the nursing care in healthcare facilities. Their job description will include all the LPN duties above, plus:. RNs can also specialize in different types of medicine or in the patient populations they work with, from nephrology care of patients with kidney disease to neonatal nursing care of new mothers and babies , for example.
Discover the most common careers for nurses , many of which first require becoming a registered nurse. LPNs will likely earn lower salaries than RNs. This is because RNs have more advanced training and can carry out more complex types of patient care. Average salaries across both professions depend largely on your education, experience and where you practice and typically do not reflect entry-level positions.
Training to become an LPN or RN requires post-secondary education and licensure by your state board of nursing. LPN diploma programs cover basic nursing and health sciences concepts, including:. RN programs typically cover:. BSN and what degree path is better for you and your career goals. RNs and LPNs all need to gain licensure from their state boards of nursing. The steps to licensure involve:. Going back to school and becoming an LPN typically takes about one year.
Becoming an RN will vary. You would then complete nursing coursework and clinical experience. If you already work as a healthcare technician or LPN, you may be able to transfer coursework completed during your earlier training program to an RN or BSN bridge program.
Bridge programs can help you become an RN faster. This is because of the required hands-on clinical skills training and clinical experience components. You may be able to complete some classes online while pursuing an LPN diploma or nursing degree , but you can expect to spend time on campus several days a week. We hope you have a clearer understanding of what it takes to become an LPN vs.
Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
How Much Does an Accountant Make? Each state has varying clinical hour requirements, which may affect how long it takes to graduate. Clinical hour requirements vary. The clinical experience offers crucial hands-on opportunities for LPN candidates to prepare them to provide basic nursing care in hospitals. LPN students take clinical rotations in specialized healthcare areas, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, and medical surgery.
The most commonly traversed path to become an RN involves earning an associate degree in nursing ADN , the minimum educational requirement needed for the job and for state licensure.
Available in an online or in-person format, this customizable program lets students explore specialties, such as palliative care, case management, or community nursing.
The degree also allows students to transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree in nursing. Read on to learn what it takes to graduate with an associate degree in nursing. While an ADN remains the minimum degree needed to work as an RN, this may change as expectations in nursing evolve. ADN programs typically take 2 years to complete.
Students can go to school part-time -- which may postpone graduation -- or take accelerated pathways to graduate faster. ADN programs require about 70 credits, although requirements vary with each school.
Besides classes in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, students must complete labs and clinical hours -- which we explain in more detail below. Every U. While the National Council of State Boards of Nursing NCSBN provides an overview of general clinical requirements, nursing regulations constantly evolve alongside changing healthcare laws and coverage guidelines.
Clinical requirements vary widely from program to program and are dependent on a number of factors. For this reason, students should confirm their clinical requirements with an academic advisor to plan an effective course sequence. RN-to-BSN programs offer a quicker way for working professionals to earn a higher degree. The clinical skills and practical knowledge RNs have from working in nursing helps them excel in a BSN program, where they take classes in collaborative healthcare, evidence-based practice, and health assessments.
The curriculum also includes topics in social sciences and the humanities that enrich a student's worldview. Visit this page and continue reading to learn more about what to expect from a BSN degree.
With practical skills and experience in nursing already under their belt, RNs can earn a BSN in as little as one year. BSN programs allow RNs to focus on a specific area of nursing with concentrations and specialties , such as neurology and pediatric care.
Earning a concentration requires additional credits, which can sometimes extend a program's length. Specific graduation timelines vary, since programs allow students to set their own pace. Full- and part-time options let students find a schedule that works with them. Highly motivated students can pursue accelerated programs and graduate quicker, thanks to shortened semesters and a more rigorous course load. Online programs offer a benefit to working RNs who can take the required classes remotely, although clinical requirements and labs require in-person commitments.
On average, a BSN program requires about credits. RNs can often earn prior learning credits from their work experience or transfer college credits. Clinical rotations give students hands-on learning in different settings, such as nursing in the adult population, psychiatric mental health, maternity, and newborn health nursing. The number of clinical hours required of BSN students depends on where they live.
Each state determines how many clinical hours BSN candidates must complete. About 43 states do not have a minimum number of clinical hours required of BSN students. Students in Virginia must take at least clinical hours, while Delaware requires a minimum of hours.
Specific hours may vary as a result of new coronavirus distancing guidelines. The NCLEX is a computer-adaptive test that determines each subsequent question depending on how the applicant performs. The PN and RN questions reflect the different levels of responsibility these jobs carry.
The PN exam focuses on supportive nursing care duties, and the RN test concentrates on implementing treatment plans. Learn more about licensing requirements by visiting this guide. This may involve healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians offices, but may also include schools, college campuses, prisons, corporate campuses, community health centers, and more. In addition to the differences in role and responsibility outlined above, there are also differences in salary and educational requirements that you should be aware of.
One of the biggest differences between LPNs and RNs is in the educational training required to work in each role. To become a registered nurse, you will need to earn a degree from an accredited nursing program. In some states, RNs simply need their associate's degree, however more and more states are pushing RNs to earn their bachelor's degree in nursing BSN in order to obtain their license.
In order to become a LPN, you will need to complete a state-approved certificate program, which typically lasts between 12 to 18 months. Between and , the demand for registered nurses is expected to grow at a rate of seven percent, which is faster than average.
Between and , the demand for licensed practical nurses is expected to grow at a rate of nine percent, which is much faster than the average. While both positions are expected to see strong demand growth over the next decade, a clear difference between the two roles is salary. This increased salary is reflective of both the increased education that registered nurses must complete, as well as the type of advanced work that they must perform daily.
In beginning your nursing career, there are many factors that individuals should consider. To understand which role is truly the right one for you, ask yourself:. Your answers to these questions should inform your decisions. If you find that you want a higher salary, more autonomy at work, more opportunities for career advancement, and a wider range of responsibilities, then becoming an RN is likely the right path for you.
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