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Licensed practical nurse vs nurse

The differences between licensed practical nurses and 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 nurse. Additionally, a nurse has an average salary of $57,564, 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 nurse are patients, home health, and CPR.

Licensed practical nurse vs nurse overview

Licensed Practical NurseNurse
Yearly salary$52,912$57,564
Hourly rate$25.44$27.68
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs614,369696,124
Job satisfaction3.334
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
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 nurse do?

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

Licensed practical nurse vs nurse salary

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

Licensed Practical NurseNurse
Average salary$52,912$57,564
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $38,000 And $86,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelConviva
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between licensed practical nurse and nurse education

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

Licensed Practical NurseNurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Licensed practical nurse vs nurse demographics

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

Licensed Practical NurseNurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 11.3% Female, 88.7%Male, 14.0% Female, 86.0%
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, 11.5% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between licensed practical nurse and 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/.
  • Show more

Nurse example responsibilities.

  • Monitor patients' status during surgery (circulate in operating room) and manage patients in PACU.
  • Manage high-acuity cardiac/pulmonary and psychiatric patients
  • Monitor patients for cardiac rhythm changes and implement medication according to ACLS guidelines.
  • Educate patients and families on diseases processes, medications, wind care, and iv infusion.
  • Provide care for patients on medical/surgical, transplant, cardiac, orthopedic, postpartum, neonatal ICU, and psychiatric units
  • Demonstrate competence in CPR and other medical emergency situations.
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Licensed practical nurse vs nurse skills

Common licensed practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Home Health, 7%
  • CPR, 6%
  • BLS, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 4%

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