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Licensed practical nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse

The differences between licensed practical nurses and registered nurses charge 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 registered nurse charge nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse charge nurse has an average salary of $71,342, 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 registered nurse charge nurse are patients, BLS, and CPR.

Licensed practical nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse overview

Licensed Practical NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Yearly salary$52,912$71,342
Hourly rate$25.44$34.30
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs614,369645,134
Job satisfaction3.33-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 51%
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 registered nurse charge nurse do?

A registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.

Licensed practical nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse salary

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

Licensed Practical NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average salary$52,912$71,342
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $74,000Between $46,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Diego, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyThe CitadelAlameda Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between licensed practical nurse and registered nurse charge nurse education

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

Licensed Practical NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 33%Associate Degree, 51%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory UniversityDuke University

Licensed practical nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse demographics

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

Licensed Practical NurseRegistered Nurse Charge Nurse
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 11.3% Female, 88.7%Male, 12.1% Female, 87.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 8.9% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage7%9%

Differences between licensed practical nurse and registered nurse charge 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

Registered nurse charge nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage intravenous therapy via peripheral and central catheters; antibiotic, TPN/lipid, constant cardiac medication infusion and fluid administration.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Assess and carefully monitor medically diverse patients who require telemetry and safely administer medications.
  • Collaborate with ICU team to provide excellent patient care utilizing critical thinking skills and evidence-base practice.
  • Document patient medical history and symptoms, administer treatment and medications, and follow-up with patients during rehabilitation.
  • Respond to codes, administering CPR and oxygen, monitoring vitals and preparing medications in anticipation of physician orders.
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Licensed practical nurse vs registered nurse charge nurse skills

Common licensed practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
Common registered nurse charge nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 8%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Acls, 4%
  • Direct Patient Care, 4%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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