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Licensed practical nurse staff nurse vs nurse technician

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 vs nurse technician overview

Licensed Practical Nurse Staff NurseNurse Technician
Yearly salary$52,403$33,005
Hourly rate$25.19$15.87
Growth rate6%9%
Number of jobs617,172195,553
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDiploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age4642
Years of experience23

What does a licensed practical nurse staff nurse do?

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.

What does a nurse technician do?

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 nurse staff nurse vs nurse technician salary

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

Licensed Practical Nurse Staff NurseNurse Technician
Average salary$52,403$33,005
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $73,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiOregon
Best paying companyLife Care Centers of AmericaCarondelet High School
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between licensed practical nurse staff nurse and nurse technician education

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 NurseNurse Technician
Most common degreeDiploma, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeEmory University-

Licensed practical nurse staff nurse vs nurse technician demographics

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

Licensed Practical Nurse Staff NurseNurse Technician
Average age4642
Gender ratioMale, 9.8% Female, 90.2%Male, 16.9% Female, 83.1%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage7%7%

Differences between licensed practical nurse staff nurse and nurse technician duties and responsibilities

Licensed practical nurse staff nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Perform a number of medical procedures, including temperature, pulse and blood pressure readings, TB testing and EKG's.
  • Time management, and compassion for patients and their families
  • Assist with treatment of emergency and priority patients, including the use of CPR, if necessary.
  • Demonstrate ability to work as a team player and provide excellent care and compassion to residents.
  • Assist patients with ADL's as needed, teach patients how to control their pain with and without medication.
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Nurse technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage memory unity within facility.
  • Deliver timely and quality patient care on rehabilitation unit under direct supervision of staff nurses.
  • Assist patients with ADL's: bathing, transferring, ambulating, changing bed linens, skin care, etc.
  • Assist and serve patients with activities of daily living (ADL) in a manner conductive to their safety and comfort.
  • Assist new surgical patients with appropriate equipment to meet rehabilitation needs, and offer mental encouragement for a more positive recovery.
  • Pick up patient for surgery.
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Licensed practical nurse staff nurse vs nurse technician skills

Common licensed practical nurse staff nurse skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Resident Care, 6%
  • Triage, 6%
  • Quality Care, 5%
Common nurse technician skills
  • Patients, 26%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Vital Signs, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 5%
  • Home Health, 5%
  • Direct Patient Care, 5%

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