LPN vs RN: What's the Difference?

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understand the difference between an LPN and RN

A nurse is a nurse is a nurse. But at the same time, there are different levels of nursing that need to be recognized for their unique roles. I’m here to tell you the difference between a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN).

Both are superheroes either way if you ask me, but I’d like to explain the different “superpowers” if you will, that each one is equipped with.

LPN vs RN Education

For starters, each goes through a different experience when it comes to schooling. From different lengths of time spent in school, to the curriculum covered while there.

LPN Education

LPN’s typically only endure about one year of schooling that results in the student acquiring a certificate. Sometimes they will receive an associate of science degree as well, but that depends on how many extra classes they chose to take on.

Their time in school requires a certain number of class room hours as well as clinical hours.

The LPN curriculum generally covers the following topics:

Intro to Nursing
Legal and Ethical Nursing
Nursing Theory
A&P (anatomy and physiology)
Medical Terminology
Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
Infection Control/Prevention
Patient Safety
Med Administration
Basic Patient Care (Often this is covered during a required CNA course)
Medical Surgical Nursing
Mental Health Nursing

Tuition for LPN school can range from around $7,000 to $40,000. This is mostly due to the fact that programs can be found at vocational school as well as major colleges or universities.

Just like with RNs, LPNs also have to take a licensure exam and pass their boards before they are legally allowed to practice nursing. LPNs must pass the NCLEX-PN in order to claim that title of “nurse”.

RN Education

RN’s typically go to school for a minimum of two years and will come out of it with their ADN (associates degree in nursing). Three or four years if they go through to their BSN (Bachelors in Science of Nursing) as well. Which, many chose to do.

Generally, the ADN Nursing curriculum includes:

Fundamentals in Nursing
Nursing Ethics
Nursing Theory
Biomedical Stats
A&P
Microbiology/Chemistry
Nutrition
Nursing Assessment
Psych
Pharmacology
Gerontology
Mental Health
Obstetrics
Emergency Care
Community Health/Population-based Healthcare Practices
And Clinical rotations within certain specialties

As you may expect, the cost can vary depending on the college you choose and whether you go for the ADN or BSN degree. This wide range can be anywhere from $10,000-$15,000 at a community college for an ADN. To $35,000-$110,000 for a BSN from a larger college.

Then comes the dreaded NCLEX-RN. The thing they build you up for (and stress you out over) throughout your entire nursing degree

On the Job

As far as their actual work on the job goes, in recent years, LPN’s have been phased out of the majority of hospitals. Often, the majority f LPN job opportunities are in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes.

LPN’s can still be found in hospitals here and there. Some are beginning to phase them back in. Although LPN’s may not have as many opportunities for specializations or advancements in a hospital setting, they are still just as helpful and appreciated as an RN in the hospital.

Regardless of what setting they work in, the scope of practice has some strict guidelines when differentiating an RN and LPN.

Each state in the United States has their own Board of Nursing, and specific rules and guidelines that go along with it. I live in North Carolina, so I’ve included this link to the NCBON RN and LPN Scope of Practice guideline as an example.

LPN Scope of Practice

The role of the LPN is supportive more than anything else. They are equip with enough clinical knowledge to work along side an RN and assist them with important patient care tasks. Tasks that go beyond bathing and taking vital sings.

Checking vital signs and blood sugar levels
Administering oral medications
Performing supporting assessments, following RN assessment
Assisting with ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, toileting, etc.

RN Scope of Practice

Over all, the RN certainly have a more broad scope of practice which does come with an increased level of responsibility. RN’s also work more independently that LPNs when it comes to patient care.

Performing head-to-toe assessments and follow up assessments
Working with physicians in order to coordinate a care plan
Administering oral and IV medications, including narcotics
Educating patients and their families
Coordinating care with multidisciplinary teams

RNs can also help patients with ADLs and other day to day tasks, and should always do so when they are able to. The scope of practice for the RN is just much broader, leaving them with a number of vital responsibilities that take precedence in a clinical setting.

Income

RN’s make a higher income than an LPN does, due to the fact that they’ve gone through more schooling and training. Therefore they are able to perform more tasks (especially the higher stress ones) at work.

Unfortunately, the more time spent in college means higher salary. Not only that, but the more responsibilities you have has an impact on pay. Even still, no amount of money can repay the jobs that both RN’s and LPN’s go to work to perform each day.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020 the median pay for an RN was $36.22/hour and $75,330 annually.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics also stated that in 2020 the average hourly income of an LPN was $23.47/hour. Amounting to $48,829 annually.

This is the last statistic that the Bureau has posted related to the average income of an RN and LPN. Maybe because of the pandemic and the now fluctuating pay of nurses around the world? Not sure to be honest.

Regardless of the differences on paper, what the world needs now are good nurses. RN, LPN, LVN, BSN, what ever credentials you want to throw out there. A nurse isn’t defined by those couple of letters listed at the end of their name.

Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse, either way, they go to work each and every day with the same intentions. To make a difference.