REGISTERED NURSE AND LICENSE PRACTICAL NURSE

Nurse is a demanding profession, and one of very popular job. According to the
United States Department of Labor 2016, this job will growing 16% increase through 2024.
They worked with respectful condescension for decades, due to the essential work done
by Clara Barton and Dorethea Dix during the Civil War, the professional has gradually gained
in respect and pay, attracting people to it along the way. Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed
Practice Nurse (LPN) are the kind of nursing personnel in hospital. RNs and LPNs have a
duty to provide safe and appropriate nursing care to clients. Both of them have similarities
and differences, and the education and licensing required for each. The differences are found
in definition, job duties, education, licensing certification, and typical career steps.

Registered Nurse defines the practice of a registered nurse as the performance of

professional services requiring specialized knowledge of nursing theory and the biological,
physical, behavioural, psychological and sociological sciences. RNs specialized knowledge
incorporates critical inquiry to conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized
plans of care, monitor the effectiveness care plans and modify individual care based on
emerging priorities of the health situation. A Licensed Practice Nurse is a person who uses
skills and interventions, in which he or she is educated, to meet the physical, social, cultural,
emotional and spiritual need of clients (ANA, 2010).

Registered Nurse (RN) have wide range of job and duties. They work for administer
medication and treatment to patients, coordinate plans for patient care, perform diagnostic
test and analyze results, instruct patients on how to manage illnesses after treatment, and
oversee other workers such as LPNs, nursing aides, and home care aides (ANA, 2010).
Meanwhile, Licensed Practice Nurse (LPN) provide basic medical and nursing care such as
checking blood pressure and inserting catheters, ensure the comfort of patients by helping
them bathe or dress, discuss health care with patients, and report status of patients to
registered nurses and doctors (ANA, 2010).

There are three educational options are available in Registered Nurse: a bachelors of
science in nursing (BSN), an associates degree in nursing (ADN), or a diploma from an
approved nursing program. BSNs usually take four years to complete, whereas ADN and
diploma programs usually require two to three years to complete. All programs include
courses in social, behavior and physical science in addition to clinical experiences in various
workplaces. complete an accredited practical nursing program which usually takes about one
year to complete. These programs are most often taken at technical or community
colleges. Courses usually combine academia in nursing, biology, and pharmacology, in
addition to supervised clinical experiences.

All registered nurses require a nursing license acquired by completing an accredited

nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
Some RN may choose to become certified through professional associations in certain
specialties. On the other way, LPN licensing is after completing the practical nursing course
from a state-approved program, they will receive a certification in practical nursing. Once
that is completed, they must take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN)
in order to obtain a license and be able to work as an LPN.

Most of Registered Nurse begin as staff nurses, but with experience and continuing
education there is opportunity to move into management positions such as chief of
nursing. Other options include becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or
moving into the business side of health care. After gaining experience, many LPNs advance
to supervisory positions. They can have additional education one may even advance into
other medical specialties such as registered nurses.

The essentials of nursing are the same for both LPNs and RNs. They both care for
people who are suffering from illness and injury, providing medical and functional assistance
to help them live as pain-free and as comfortable as possible, and hopefully move forward in
their journey toward health. The medical system requires the talents and skills of both LPNs
and RNs. When LPNs work with RNs, the nursing care delivery models must support
collaborative practice to help ensure safe and appropriate client care

Sources:

Prince Edward Health Council. Exemplary Care: Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical
Nurses Working Together.
http://www.arnpei.ca/images/documents/RNsandLPNsWorkingTogether.pdf

Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. (2016). Licensed Practical
and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition.
American Nurses Association. Principles for Delegation. 2010. www
.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ThePracticeofProfessionalNursing/
workplace/PrinciplesofDelegation.aspx. Accessed March 1, 2017.