Post job

Licensed practical nurse vs pediatric nurse

The differences between licensed practical nurses and pediatric 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 pediatric nurse. Additionally, a pediatric nurse has an average salary of $72,945, 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 pediatric nurse are patients, home health, and BLS.

Licensed practical nurse vs pediatric nurse overview

Licensed Practical NursePediatric Nurse
Yearly salary$52,912$72,945
Hourly rate$25.44$35.07
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs614,369614,706
Job satisfaction3.33-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 pediatric nurse do?

A pediatric nurse is a registered nurse who offers medical and health care for children in hospitals and clinics. Pediatric nurses educate caregivers and parents on the effective methods of child health protection. They take care of children's health from birth to adolescence. They are experts in child care while they are working with their respective families to address their problems, fears, concerns, and other options. The necessary skills for this job include child development knowledge and communication skills.

Licensed practical nurse vs pediatric nurse salary

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

Licensed Practical NursePediatric Nurse
Average salary$52,912$72,945
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $45,000 And $117,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between licensed practical nurse and pediatric nurse education

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

Licensed Practical NursePediatric Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Licensed practical nurse vs pediatric nurse demographics

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

Licensed Practical NursePediatric Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 11.3% Female, 88.7%Male, 7.7% Female, 92.3%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 8.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between licensed practical nurse and pediatric 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

Pediatric nurse example responsibilities.

  • Provide continuous telemetry monitoring and managing multiple patients with multiple high-risk medical conditions, utilizing interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Coordinate care for acute and chronic pediatric oncology patients with an emphasis on family centered care and patient education.
  • Certify in ACLS and BLS.
  • Provide excellent patient care to children, showing compassion and nurturing while in office.
  • Function as a staff nurse in a twelve bed ICU caring for patients with various illnesses.
  • Show more

Licensed practical nurse vs pediatric nurse skills

Common licensed practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common pediatric nurse skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Home Health, 14%
  • BLS, 12%
  • Acute Care, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Acls, 3%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs