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Licensed practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse

The differences between licensed practical nurses and clinic registered nurses can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a licensed practical nurse and a clinic registered nurse. Additionally, a clinic registered nurse has an average salary of $70,075, which is higher than the $52,912 average annual salary of a licensed practical nurse.

The top three skills for a licensed practical nurse include patients, CPR and home health. The most important skills for a clinic registered nurse are patients, BLS, and acute care.

Licensed practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse overview

Licensed Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$52,912$70,075
Hourly rate$25.44$33.69
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs614,369520,812
Job satisfaction3.33-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4644
Years of experience22

What does a licensed practical nurse do?

Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.

What does a clinic registered nurse do?

A clinic registered nurse is responsible for providing immediate care and treatments to patients while working alongside physicians and specialists. Assigned in a clinic or similar setting, they are mostly responsible for obtaining patient information and medical history, administering appropriate medication, and coordinating with health care experts. Moreover, they must thoroughly discuss necessary information to patients and their guardians and respond to any inquiries under the physician's guidelines. It is essential to make patients feel at ease and implement the policies of the clinic.

Licensed practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse salary

Licensed practical nurses and clinic registered nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Licensed Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Average salary$52,912$70,075
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $43,000 And $113,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyThe CitadelHighland General Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between licensed practical nurse and clinic registered nurse education

There are a few differences between a licensed practical nurse and a clinic registered nurse in terms of educational background:

Licensed Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Licensed practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse demographics

Here are the differences between licensed practical nurses' and clinic registered nurses' demographics:

Licensed Practical NurseClinic Registered Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 11.3% Female, 88.7%Male, 10.2% Female, 89.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between licensed practical nurse and clinic registered nurse duties and responsibilities

Licensed practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage all operational aspects of the organizations open heart program while also serving in the role of APN.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide nursing care for med/surg patients in the transitional phase of recovery.
  • Work up patients for the Dr, administer allergy testing, mix allergens.
  • Perform emergency medical procedures, such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
  • Drug screens, phlebotomy wind care education of safety practices communications with treatment facilities as indicated/.
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Clinic registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Perform both admissions and discharge of patients within the CICU as well as transferring patients to ICU or other units.
  • Perform nursing functions in critical care units including ER, MICU, CCU, SICU in various hospitals and medical centers.
  • Provide patient education that includes information about diagnosis, plan surgical procedures, post-surgical care, and physical rehabilitation procedures.
  • Provide involved detail clinical evaluations of patients within the acute rehabilitation center along with needs for transition of care after discharge.
  • Provide prenatal care education to ob triage patients to aide in fetal well-being.
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Licensed practical nurse vs clinic registered nurse skills

Common licensed practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common clinic registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • BLS, 11%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Quality Care, 3%

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