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Registered nurse vs licensed practical nurse

The differences between registered nurses and licensed practical 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 registered nurse and a licensed practical nurse. Additionally, a registered nurse has an average salary of $73,349, which is higher than the $52,912 average annual salary of a licensed practical nurse.

The top three skills for a registered nurse include patients, BLS and CPR. The most important skills for a licensed practical nurse are patients, CPR, and home health.

Registered nurse vs licensed practical nurse overview

Registered NurseLicensed Practical Nurse
Yearly salary$73,349$52,912
Hourly rate$35.26$25.44
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs646,159614,369
Job satisfaction2.753.33
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 33%
Average age4446
Years of experience22

What does a registered nurse do?

The primary responsibilities of a registered nurse involve caring for a variety of patients, from ill and injured to those who are healthy and wanting to stay that way. Nurses have different specialization and work with particular patients, such as newborn babies or those who are suffering from particular medical conditions. They work on different settings which includes hospital, outpatient facility, rehabilitation center, nursing home, dialysis center, home healthcare agency, and other offices. They can administer medications, wound care, and other aids or treatment plan. They also conduct medical tests, interpret the results, and monitor patients' recovery and progress.

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.

Registered nurse vs licensed practical nurse salary

Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered NurseLicensed Practical Nurse
Average salary$73,349$52,912
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $117,000Between $37,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABoston, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyNORCAL AmbulanceThe Citadel
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse and licensed practical nurse education

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

Registered NurseLicensed Practical Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 33%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Registered nurse vs licensed practical nurse demographics

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

Registered NurseLicensed Practical Nurse
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 12.3% Female, 87.7%Male, 11.3% Female, 88.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 9.0% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between registered nurse and licensed practical nurse duties and responsibilities

Registered nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient care for individuals with multiple diagnoses including COPD, diabetes, stroke and cardiac issues.
  • Organize and manage regular clinics involving external physicians, including ophthalmology, ENT, Med/Surg, orthopedics, and podiatry professionals.
  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide care for cardiac patients in arrhythmia critical care unit, providing patient education and monitoring telemetry
  • Re-Cover surgical patients immediately after heart and vascular surgery until transfer out of ICU.
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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/.
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Registered nurse vs licensed practical nurse skills

Common registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 10%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common licensed practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Home Health, 10%
  • Medication Administration, 4%
  • Quality Care, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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