Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses

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Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses:

Nurses are healthcare professionals that many individuals are familiar with since they work in schools, physicians’ offices, and hospitals.  However, there are various types of nurses working in the health care industry such as the registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.  The licensed practical nurses are professionals who offer most of the hands-on patient care services that are common to many people.  On the contrary, the registered nurses have advanced training that enables them to have greater responsibilities in relation to administration, management, and patient care.  Moreover, the registered nurses have more and greater opportunities for professional growth in this industry across a huge range of specialties.

As significant elements of the health care system, especially with regards to the provision of patient care services, there are similarities and differences between registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.   These similarities and differences between these two types of nurses are mainly associated with their responsibilities, education and certification, vocational training, career paths, and salary.

Similarities between Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses:

        One of the most notable similarities between registered nurses and licensed practical nurses is that professionals in both fields and positions are required to comply with the Nurse Practice Acts (Valor, n.d.).  This is despite of the fact that the requirements of Nurse Practice Acts that govern the activities of all nurses tend to vary across states.  Secondly, the registered nurses and the licensed practical nurses have a significant responsibility and duty to provide secure and suitable nursing care to patients.  During this process, these professionals should act in a way that is consistent with the standards of practice, relevant legislation, and code of ethics (“Exemplary Care”, n.d.).

Differences between Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses:

        While there are certain similarities between the registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, there are numerous significant differences between these professionals.  The first major difference between these two professionals is the length of schooling or education and certification.  An individual interested in becoming a registered nurse can do a bachelors degree that requires four years.  Moreover, registered nurses can also go to Community College where they are prepared for their specific responsibilities in the health care field for a minimum of two years.  On the contrary, students interested in becoming licensed practical nurses can complete the program in a year or go through a fourteen-month program (“Differences between the LPN and RN”, n.d.).  Therefore, it takes a shorter period of time for an individual to enter the healthcare workplace through becoming a licensed practical nurse.

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