Post job

Registered nurse vs practical nurse

The differences between registered nurses and 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 practical nurse. Additionally, a practical nurse has an average salary of $75,363, which is higher than the $73,349 average annual salary of a registered nurse.

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

Registered nurse vs practical nurse overview

Registered NursePractical Nurse
Yearly salary$73,349$75,363
Hourly rate$35.26$36.23
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs646,159511,602
Job satisfaction2.75-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
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 practical nurse do?

A practical nurse is responsible for providing the highest quality care services for the patients and assisting them with their needs and concerns. Practical nurses work within a health institution or private household to support the patients in their daily activities, monitor their conditions, administer medication, and inform the doctors of their health updates. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to develop nursing care plans and activities to suit the patients' lifestyle and keep their active wellbeing.

Registered nurse vs practical nurse salary

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

Registered NursePractical Nurse
Average salary$73,349$75,363
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $117,000Between $47,000 And $120,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CALancaster, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNORCAL AmbulanceUniversity Hospitals
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between registered nurse and practical nurse education

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

Registered NursePractical Nurse
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common majorNursingNursing
Most common collegeDuke UniversityEmory University

Registered nurse vs practical nurse demographics

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

Registered NursePractical Nurse
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 12.3% Female, 87.7%Male, 14.3% Female, 85.7%
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, 12.1% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.3% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage9%7%

Differences between registered nurse and 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.
  • Show more

Practical nurse example responsibilities.

  • Manage surgical recovery patients including vascular, ENT, GI urological and neurological cases, coronary bypass surgery patients.
  • Treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion while maintaining there safety.
  • Maintain safety and quality standards of care while facilitating early discharge of mother and baby.
  • Maintain HIPPA and OSHA guidelines.
  • Receive and implementing Dr orders.
  • Train in lactation and NRP certify.
  • Show more

Registered nurse vs practical nurse skills

Common registered nurse skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • BLS, 10%
  • CPR, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Acls, 5%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common practical nurse skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • APN, 7%
  • Home Health, 6%
  • Acute Care, 5%
  • Physical Examinations, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs