Interested in a career in nursing? If so, two common roles to consider include that of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and a registered nurse (RN). Although both are nursing jobs that involve a lot of direct patient care, there are some notable differences between the two—especially as it relates to job duties and educational requirements.
So, what is the difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, exactly? Read on to learn more about these exciting career paths in nursing.
Understanding the Roles of a Practical Nurse and a Registered Nurse
Both practical nurses and registered nurses play an essential role in the healthcare field, often serving along the front lines and providing patients with the compassionate, quality care they deserve at all stages of treatment. Still, there are some key differences to note between the roles of a PN and an RN.
Role of a Practical Nurse (PN)
Practical nurses always work under the supervision of doctors, physicians, and (in some cases) registered nurses. They provide basic nursing care to patients that may include:
- Recording vital signs
- Collecting samples for diagnostic testing
- Administering some medications
- Making sure patients are comfortable
PNs may work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities.
Role of a Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses provide many of the same services to patients that PNs do but with some additional responsibilities. For example, RNs may be tasked with more complex or involved work, such as treating wounds and even drawing blood. In some cases, RNs may be responsible for overseeing groups of PNs or vocational nurses, taking on more of a leadership or supervisory role.
Compared to a PN, an RN also tends to have more autonomy and input when it comes to creating treatment and care plans. Still, they work under the supervision of physicians, (in some cases) advanced practice nurses, as well as physician assistant.
RNs may work just about anywhere there is a need for nurses, but they are most commonly found in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, and community health centers.
What Is the Difference Between Practical Nurse and Registered Nurse Educational Pathways?
Just as there are differences between the roles and responsibilities of a PN versus an RN, there are some differences in the educational requirements for these jobs as well.
Education Requirements for Practical Nurses
Becoming a practical nurse requires less in the way of educational requirements than becoming a registered nurse. Generally, you only need to complete a state-approved certificate program in order to become a practical nurse. These programs usually take just a year or so to complete. In some cases, an associate degree program may also qualify a graduate for work as a practical nurse.
Education Requirements for Registered Nurses
On the other hand, registered nurses need more educational experience under their belts. While certain states allow graduates of an associate degree program to become registered nurses, more states are moving toward requiring a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These degrees typically take about four years to complete.
Licensure and Certification
Even once you have completed the educational requirements to become a PN or RN, you still need to get licensed and/or certified before you may legally practice in your respective state. The specific licensing and certification requirements for PNs and RNs are similar but not identical. What is the difference between practical nurses’ and registered nurses’ licensure requirements, then?
Licensure for Practical Nurses
Practical nurses need to complete a state-approved educational program, which typically includes coursework in nursing fundamentals, biology, and pharmacology, along with supervised clinical practice. After completing the educational requirements, aspiring practical nurses must take and pass a standardized test known as the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN. This is a five-hour computerized adaptive test that consists of various multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and drag-and-drop prompts. In addition to passing the NCLEX-PN, practical nurses may also need to meet other state-specific requirements, such as background checks or additional certifications.
Licensure for Registered Nurses
Once you have finished your educational training to be a registered nurse, you are required to pass the NCLEX-RN, a comprehensive exam that evaluates your understanding of nursing practice. This exam covers a broad range of topics including care management, patient assessment, and clinical decision-making. Additionally, prospective RNs may need to fulfill state-specific requirements, such as undergoing background checks, obtaining certifications, or completing continuing education courses. Some states also have additional criteria for advanced practice roles, which may involve further examinations or training.
Work Environments and Duties
PNs and RNs often work directly with patients and their families, providing the first line of care. While their work environments and duties are usually quite similar, there are some notable differences.
Typical Work Environment for PNs and RNs
You will typically find PNs and RNs working alongside each other in healthcare settings such as hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities. It is common for RNs specifically to work in community health centers, schools, college campuses, and other more specialized settings.
Key Duties of Practical Nurses
In general, PNs are expected to report directly to RNs and other supervising doctors or physicians. They focus on providing basic medical care to patients in the form of taking vital signs, ensuring patients are comfortable, and administering some medications.
Key Duties of Registered Nurses
The job duties of an RN may be a bit more complex than those of a PN, including more specialized tasks like collecting blood samples, treating wounds, and the like. It is also common for RNs to take on a supervisory role over practical nurses, though this may vary from one facility to the next.
Advancement Opportunities
Both PNs and RNs enjoy some excellent career advancement opportunities that may help them achieve their professional goals while remaining fulfilled in their work.
Career Advancement for Practical Nurses
Many practical nurses end up moving into supervisory positions down the road, where they may be in charge of shifts of LPNs or vocational nurses. Some may proceed to become RNs themselves after completing a bachelor’s degree program and passing the NCLEX-RN examination.
Career Advancement for Registered Nurses
Many registered nurses start off in entry-level positions but have the ability to work their way up to supervisory and leadership roles within nursing departments or entire facilities. Those who want to pursue higher education in nursing may go on to receive their master’s in nursing degree, which may qualify an RN to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and take on even more responsibility in the workplace.
Making Your Choice: PN or RN?
If you are still on the fence between becoming a PN or an RN, keep the following factors in mind to help you make the decision with greater confidence.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Nursing Path
Start by thinking about how much education you want to pursue. If you are looking for the fastest path to a job in nursing, then completing a certificate program or associate degree program in nursing may take as little as one year. From there, you might take the NCLEX-PN and get licensed as a practical nurse.
If you do not mind spending a little longer in school in exchange for a greater sense of autonomy in the workplace, you may want to pursue a bachelor’s degree to become a registered nurse instead. With this path, you would spend closer to four years in school but have the option to bridge your education with a graduate degree program to advance your skill set even further.
Consider, too, the level of responsibility you wish to have in your future nursing job. Prefer to stick with basic patient care duties? Then working as a PN may be ideal for you. If you want to have more autonomy and responsibility, especially when it comes to having a say in patient care and treatment plans, you may be better suited as an RN.
Explore an RN-to-MSN Degree Program
What is the difference between practical nurse and registered nurse careers? Now that you have a better understanding of their varying job duties, educational requirements, and licensure requirements, you may be in a better position to decide which nursing path is right for you.
If you are considering advancing your nursing career, Post University offers a range of degree programs, including an RN-to-MSN degree program. This program is designed for registered nurses who already hold a valid RN license and wish to advance their education to earn a Master of Science in Nursing. The RN-to-MSN program is offered entirely online, so you may complete coursework on your own time and complete your studies in as little as 24 to 42 months. Request more information or get started with your application today.
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