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The differences between licensed practical nurses staff nurses and nurse technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a licensed practical nurse staff nurse, becoming a nurse technician takes usually requires 1-3 months. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse staff nurse has an average salary of $52,403, which is higher than the $33,005 average annual salary of a nurse technician.
The top three skills for a licensed practical nurse staff nurse include patients, vital signs and CPR. The most important skills for a nurse technician are patients, CPR, and vital signs.
| Licensed Practical Nurse Staff Nurse | Nurse Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $52,403 | $33,005 |
| Hourly rate | $25.19 | $15.87 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 617,172 | 195,553 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 3 |
A licensed practical nurse is responsible for assisting patients with quality care under the supervision of a direct physician and registered nurse. Licensed practical nurses provide help on collecting samples and performing medical procedures such as taking patients' temperatures and vital signs. Staff nurses monitor a patient's condition, assist on medications and feeding, and report to the patient's physician. Licensed practical nurses also respond to patients' inquiries, as well as updating the patient's family on any changes to the patient's condition.
Nurse technicians, also known as nursing aides, assistants, or attendants, usually work in clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Primarily, they help a registered nurse by providing essential mobility, care, and support to patients. Everyday routine duties include maintaining patients' hygiene and moving them using wheelchairs or stretchers around the facility for their meals, treatment, events, and other activities. They do tasks that help improve a patient's comfort level and become their caregivers in the long run. This job requires a high school diploma along with the completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) program.
Licensed practical nurses staff nurses and nurse technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Practical Nurse Staff Nurse | Nurse Technician | |
| Average salary | $52,403 | $33,005 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $73,000 | Between $26,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Life Care Centers of America | Carondelet High School |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a licensed practical nurse staff nurse and a nurse technician in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Practical Nurse Staff Nurse | Nurse Technician | |
| Most common degree | Diploma, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 39% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Nursing |
| Most common college | Emory University | - |
Here are the differences between licensed practical nurses staff nurses' and nurse technicians' demographics:
| Licensed Practical Nurse Staff Nurse | Nurse Technician | |
| Average age | 46 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.8% Female, 90.2% | Male, 16.9% Female, 83.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 7.2% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 8.0% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |