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Licensed practical nurse vs oncology registered nurse

The differences between licensed practical nurses and oncology 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 an oncology registered nurse. Additionally, an oncology registered nurse has an average salary of $74,716, 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 an oncology registered nurse are patients, acute care, and chemotherapy.

Licensed practical nurse vs oncology registered nurse overview

Licensed Practical NurseOncology Registered Nurse
Yearly salary$52,912$74,716
Hourly rate$25.44$35.92
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs614,369636,524
Job satisfaction3.33-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
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 an oncology registered nurse do?

An oncology registered nurse is in charge of taking care of patients with cancer. Their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with physicians to devise particular care plans for patients, monitoring their daily condition and progress, administering medicine, preparing nutritious meals, and evaluating treatment results, reporting to the physician should there be any issues. Furthermore, as an oncology registered nurse, it is vital to provide physical and emotional support to patients as the treatments tend to be stressful and emotionally tolling.

Licensed practical nurse vs oncology registered nurse salary

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

Licensed Practical NurseOncology Registered Nurse
Average salary$52,912$74,716
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $38,000 And $145,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelDignity Health
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between licensed practical nurse and oncology registered nurse education

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

Licensed Practical NurseOncology Registered Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Licensed practical nurse vs oncology registered nurse demographics

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

Licensed Practical NurseOncology Registered Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 11.3% Female, 88.7%Male, 8.9% Female, 91.1%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between licensed practical nurse and oncology 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/.
  • Show more

Oncology registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage outpatient chemotherapy infusion area in a private Gyn and Gyn-Onc practice.
  • Display expert clinical skills in managing the progressive care of all categories of patients including bedside surgical procedures and chemotherapy administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Administer medications and treatment for patients monitor by telemetry.
  • Monitor stable and chronically ill patients using telemetry and mechanical ventilation methods.
  • Maintain an environment of compassion by providing psychological and emotional support to patients and families.
  • Show more

Licensed practical nurse vs oncology 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 oncology registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 28%
  • Acute Care, 7%
  • Chemotherapy, 6%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Medical Oncology, 3%
  • Compassion, 3%

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