Among lay people, there is confusion when comparing licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or RN with a BSN, and most lay people don’t really know enough to care. What they care about mostly is professional, competent, and courtesy medical care from both nurses and doctors. Beyond that, the various nursing types are of little interest those who are in need of health care.

But among nurses, there are very distinct difference between the level of care, irresponsibility, career opportunities, and salary when it comes to comparing LPN to RNs.

Variations exist among nurses

Looking closely, one can actually tell that there are specific differences existing between licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. Starting with the basics, there is a big distinction in the educational requirements between LPN vs. RN. In addition, the set of duties and responsibilities you perform as LPNs are different in certain aspects when compared to those that are done by the RNs. You may find it interesting but there are diverse career opportunities for you, licensed practical nurses, and the registered nurses as well. Lastly, the amount of money that may be earned in these two professions does not seem to reach the same range.

Short courses for licensed practical nurses

Both courses, which are taken up by licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, include the study of the nursing arts and sciences. In addition, the curriculum for nurses comprises of subjects that center in the other fields of science as well as humanities.

Basically, if you desire to become a licensed practical nurse in the future, then there is a need for you to attend a training program that usually runs for a year. This condensed curriculum allows you and other aspiring licensed practical nurses to have your way into the field of nursing in the quickest possible method. On the other hand, there is a need for the future registered nurses to finish a two-year Associate’s Degree or four-year Bachelor’s Degree course in nursing so that a he or she may qualify and become an RN.

It is obvious that the needed training for a registered nurse is both comprehensive and prolonged compared to that of a licensed practical nurse. Hence, it is safe to say that registered nurses truly have wider and greater understanding regarding several topics in nursing than LPNs. In addition, registered nurses have more knowledge on the following subject matters: pharmacology, physiology, clinical practice, and research utilization.

LPN vs. RN Considerations

Costly education

As what has been stated, it takes longer for the hopeful registered nurses to finish the whole course compared to you, who only needs about a year to complete a program. Thus, lengthy curriculum also means that the amount of money spent on finishing the whole BSN program is greater.

There are colleges that offer only about 3, 650 US dollars for a one year or one and a half year program for licensed practical nurses. On the other hand, course for registered nurses that usually runs for two to three years is more costly with a price of 7,980 US dollars.

Omnipresent hierarchy

In any kinds of setting, it is always the registered nurse who supervises the licensed practical nurse. Hence, you may witness that RNs truly take up a higher position in the hierarchy within the health care team.

Registered nurses are capable of making decisions that are essential to the treatment of a patient while licensed practical nurses are not permitted in any way to do so. RNs are also allowed to perform procedures without the need for supervision. On the other hand, physicians and RNs are compelled to watch you as you do certain tasks. These characteristics of a nurse definitely differentiate LPN vs. RN.

Different nursing procedures for LPN vs. RN

Part of the responsibilities of registered nurses is to perform nursing procedures independently. Some of the duties that may be done by RNs are the following: administration of medications, development and implementation of nursing care plans, making decisions autonomously, and assisting physicians.

As licensed practical nurses, you may also be given an array of tasks that are specifically for your profession. However, these duties focus mainly on providing direct care for the patients. These responsibilities include the following: feeding and helping patients perform activities of daily living like bathing and dressing. You are also allowed to collect samples of body fluids that are intended for laboratory tests. Listing down the following duties and responsibilities of RNs and LPNs can help one to conclude that RNs definitely have greater and more complicated tasks than LPNs.

Greater opportunities for nurses

When comparing the amount of money earned between LPN vs. RNs, it is commonly noticed that RNs get paid more than LPNs. Most of the registered nurses can earn 57,280 US dollars yearly, while licensed practical nurses get only about 40,110 US dollars.

Additionally, registered nurses generally to have greater prospects when it comes to their development in the career that they have chosen compared to an LPN, who finished a less intensive nursing program.

RNs are given the chance to get a managerial position in a hospital or other health care facilities. There are registered nurses who get jobs in universities or colleges and these occupations concentrate chiefly on leading other individuals towards a successful nursing career. Weather you are an LPN or an RN, it really isn’t about LPN vs. RN, a battle between nurses, the great career advantage of nursing is that there is always opportunity to advance your career with additional education.

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Typical NCLEX-PN Exam to Become an LPN

To become an LPN, nurses are required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Exam or NCLEX. This is a common type of examination that is used by the board of nursing of each state in order to verify if one is qualified to practice his or her profession as a nurse. There are two types of NCLEX and these are NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. In your case, to become an LPN, you must take the NCLEX-PN and succeed in this examination so that you can become a full-fledged licensed practical nurse.

Getting Ready for the NCLEX-PN Exam

The first thing that you should do so that you can take the NCLEX is to apply for a license from the board of nursing of your chosen state. And then, the board of nursing will do an evaluation and determine you are qualified based on the criteria established specifically for NCLEX.

Registration for NCLEX-PN

You will receive the NCLEX Examination Candidate Bulletin in your mail after applying for the license. Upon obtaining the said mail, you may already register with the testing service of the National Council State Boards of Nursing either by mail or by phone.

Once your eligibility has been confirmed by the board of nursing, you will receive the most awaited Authorization to Take the Test or ATT. This will also include the list of testing centers as well as the direction on how you can make an appointment and schedule your desired date of examination.

Crucial Preparation

You must be well-prepared if you desire to pass the NCLEX and become a licensed practical nurse. You must possess enough strength and determination in order to become successful in this examination.

Aside from willpower, you must also have sufficient knowledge when taking this type of examination. Based on the previous examinations given to the aspiring nurses, NCLEX-PN revolves around the following topics: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychological integrity, and physiological integrity.

Focus on Exam Subtopics

Under the topic of safe and effective care environment are two subtopics: management of care as well as safety and infection control. The exam also deals with growth and development of a person as he or she ages and the prevention and early detection of a specific type of disease.

Nurses care for patients and this is the reason why as you become an LPN, should have the proper knowledge on an individual’s coping mechanisms as well as psychosocial adaptation. Lastly, you must also take note of the subtopics of the physiological integrity and these are the following: basic care and comfort, pharmacology, and physiological adaptation.

Question Format for the Exam

Questions in this type of examination are usually in the form of worded multiple choice. It has been witnessed recently, however, that questions without multiple choices pop out within the exam. These forms of questions are called the “New Format Questions”.

How Long is the NCLEX-PN Exam?

Like any other examinations, National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses also has a time limit. According to those who are in-charge of giving this examination, examinees are given five hours to finish the exam. And, the five-hour-exam consists of the time dedicated only for the introductory computer tutorial as well as two break times that run for 10 minutes each.

Passing the NCLEX-PN

Candidates who take the NCLEX-PN exam, may answer a minimum of 85 questions based on the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT). This minimum number will then be used to evaluate your competence in the exam that you have taken. And, reaching the level above the standard indicates that you have passed the exam. However, if you did not succeed to reach the standard level automatically denotes that you have failed. But then, if your score following the 85 questions is near the average score then you may continue taking the examination for a final assessment. For the NCLEX-PN examination, you may answer up to 205 questions.

Which Specialties have the Highest Registered Nurse Salary?

When non-nurses think about RNs, they often think first of staff nurses in hospitals.  This is typically an entry level position and tends to be more general.  However, RNs have the opportunity to specialize in literally hundreds of different areas within and across four different areas: population type, work environment, disease, or body system.  Some of these specialties tend to pay far better than others, usually because they require greater skill, knowledge and/or a higher level of stress management.

Several of the highest paying nurse specialties are considered advanced practice specialties and require a minimum of a Master’s Degree and specialized training.  These include Nurse Practitioner ($75,000 a year), Clinical Nurse Specialists ($76,000 a year), Certified Nurse Midwives ($84,000 a year),    Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner ($95,000 a year) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist ($135,000 a year).

However, there are several specialties that have a higher Registered Nurse salary and do not require a Master’s Degree.  Neonatal Nurses, who care for sick and/or premature babies, make on average around $74,000 a year. Orthopedic Nurses, who care for and educate patients with musculoskeletal issues, and Pediatric Endocrinology Nurses, who care for young children with endocrinal diseases, make around $81,000 a year.  Other specialties that require additional training and may also offer a higher Registered Nurse Salary are transplant nurses, infection control nurses, surgical first assistants, and infusion therapy nurses.

Registered Nurse Salary by Location

Location is a very important factor in determining a Register Nurse Salary.  Some states have much higher salaries than others.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California has the highest averaged Registered Nurse salary at $85,080.  Compare that with the lowest average salary, found in Iowa, of $51,930.  That is a difference of over $30,000 a year.  Keep in mind though, that with higher salaries, there are often increased costs of living, such as rent, food, and utilities.  Other states that rank high for Registered Nurse salaries include Massachusetts at $81,780, Hawaii at $80,020, and Maryland at $76,330.

The differences between urban and rural RN salaries can also be quite significant.  A 2005 study done on the differences between rural and urban RNs found an average salary difference of $9,000 between urban and rural RNs doing comparable work, with urban RNs earning an average of $49,627.  Even more significant, the study found that urban nurses with associate’s degrees actually earned more on average than rural nurses with bachelor’s degrees.

Workplace Setting and the Registered Nurse Salary

In addition to location within the country, place of work also has an impact on the Registered Nurse salary.  RNs have the option to work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, surgery centers, nursing homes, schools, military bases, insurance companies, or home health care.  According to Payscale.com, the lowest paying workplace setting is schools, with an RN salary range of approximately $32,000 to $53,000.  The highest paid workplace setting is ambulatory care/surgery center with a salary range of approximately $48,000 to $70,000.  It is closely followed by the Military, with a range of $49,000 to $68,000.  In some cases, the duties may be very similar across workplace settings, but because of the type of setting, the salary can be quite different.

Whether you are a current RN, or someone considering entering the nursing field, understanding the various factors that impact your salary is an important part of helping you decide where you want to go in your career.  While the highest paid specialties, locations or workplace settings may or may not be for you, it is important to understand how and why the salaries differ.  Even if your preferred specialty is not of the more lucrative ones listed, knowing how location and workplace setting play into your Registered Nurse salary can help you make the most of your career.

Additional Resources for Registered Nurse Salary

• BLS data for Registered Nurse Salary
• Registered Nurse Salary in Rural vs. Urban Areas
• Highest Registered Nurse Salary Specialties

Why Enter an LPN to BSN Degree Program?

Some LPNs may wonder why they should bother returning to school for an LPN to BSN degree when they already have the pleasure of working as nurses.  While returning to school can require a significant time and monetary commitment, most LPNs who complete an LPN to BSN program, particularly an online program, find that the benefits far outweigh the challenges.  An LPN to BSN program is one of several accelerated nursing programs that shortens the length of time required to complete a BSN (Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing).  These programs recognize that LPNs come to the table with knowledge, skills and experience that can allow them to test out of, or altogether skip, several courses.  Add to that the flexible and independent nature of an online LPN to BSN program, and the prospect of increased salary and more job opportunities make returning to school well worth the effort.

In the first year after graduation, a newly licensed RN who has received a BSN will can expect to earn around $10,000 more a year than the entry-level LPN.  In addition, the RN salary averages around $20,000 more a year after 20 years of experience than does the LPN salary.  The rate of salary increase is also as much as three times higher for RNs with a BSN than for LPNs.

LPNs who become RNs also find that the limitations that existed within their LPN nursing jobs are few and far between for RNs, particularly those with a BSN.  There are more specialties to choose from, different facilities in which to work, and more opportunities for advancement.

When an LPN to RN Program Makes the Most Sense

Even with an online LPN to BSN program, the average length of time to complete such a program is 2.5 years.  For some LPNs, even the desire to move forward in their careers isn’t enough for that kind of time commitment.  For those LPNs, there are other options for becoming an RN, particularly through LPN to RN programs.  In these programs, LPNs become RNs through either diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs. One advantage of LPN to RN programs over LPN to BSN programs is that there are far more LPN to RN online programs than online LPN to BSN.

Choosing the right LPN to RN program requires considering several factors.  The RN salary, and salary potential, varies between the diploma, ADN, and BSN routes to becoming an RN.  More advanced supervisory positions are more often open to those RNs who have received a BSN, so some RNs prepared via diploma or ADN actually go on to get an RN to BSN degree at a later date.

While the type of education plays a factor in the Registered Nurse salary, there are other variables that make a difference as well.  The various RN specialties have their own peak salaries, and some bring in higher average annual salaries than others.

Making the Most of LPN Jobs

For some LPNs, returning to school is simply not an option; however, there are still ways to make the most of an LPN career and find advancement opportunities and potential for increases in LPN salary.  Licensed Practical Nursing jobs, though a somewhat more limited field than that of RNs, include certain types of facilities and specialties that yield higher LPN salaries.  Finding these choice jobs requires careful consideration of each LPN job description to find those jobs that provide the best fit and the best opportunities for advancement.  With an LPN to BSN degree, there are also opportunities to extend beyond the realms of nursing homes and hospitals with travel LPN jobs.

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You might also be interested in reading these popular articles:

• Top Jobs For LPNs
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• Search for LPN Job – The largest job directory for LPNs on the Internet

Top Jobs for LPNs

LPN Hospital Jobs: From ERs to  geriatric care to surgery prep, surgery nurses do it all. LPNs working in hospitals are accountable for drawing blood, reading crucial signs, monitoring patients’ reactions to medicine, teaching families how to take care of injured or sick friends, feeding babies, and preparing IVs in addition to feeding, cleaning, and dressing patients who aren’t able to do so for themselves. Infirmary settings are a vital but demanding workplace setting those in the nursing profession.

LPN Nursing Care Facilities: Nursing homes and palliative care facilities supply a barely slower-paced, but no less critical source of jobs for LPNs. Approved practical nurses perform lots of the same daily jobs as infirmary nurses, but patients stay longer and might not be anticipated to make full recoveries. Nurses who work in nursing houses and surgeries must have remarkable patience and the emotional stoicism to face death and dying first hand on an everyday basis.

LPN Home Care Nursing: Personal care nurses perform some of the same jobs as hospice and nursing care LPNs, but they do so in their clientele ‘ houses. Home care LPNs can be employed for short visits ( to draw blood, check blood pressure, or monitor other imperative figures ) or for long term care ( food, cleanliness, medicine, and physiotherapy ) for aged, sick, hurt, or disabled patients. Home care nursing is a quickly growing area, with a rise in the amount of aging patients and the augmenting capacity to perform health tests and care outside of surgeries. Home care nurses must be comfortable working independently with minimum supervision.

LPN Office Nursing : Office nurses work in medical hospitals, doctors’ offices, and non-hospital surgery centers. These nurses help to prepare patients for exams or surgery, aid doctors in the OR, handle injections or medicines, and dress injuries and cuts. These jobs for LPNs may include some executive office work. Jobs for LPNs who work in this kind of setting often require more normal work hours with a lower stress level than nurses in hospitals or nursing homes.

Military LPN Jobs: The army is always short of talented nurses. LPNs who want to pursue an army nursing job could be needed to get extra schooling, or possibly even a RN or BSN in nursing. Army nurses are constantly in demand in both peace and wartime, and the army will customarily reimburse LPNs who receive extra schooling for active duty to move from an LPN to RN or LPN to BSN.

LPN Travel LPN Jobs: Many engaging opportunities exist for LPNs who want to work in other states or in foreign nations. Nurses are in heavy demand in several parts of the Earth, and many agencies will spend top dollar to send nurses on short term remote assignments ( usually starting from two to six months ). Travel nurses can find nursing jobs across the U.S. And nearly anyplace globally, jobs for LPNs are in demand including hospital assignments in other states, emergency medicare in 3rd world states, and health centers on top quality resorts and cruise ships.

Top Searches: Jobs for LPNs

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Standard Accelerated Nursing Programs Shorten Length of BSN for Career-Changers

Accelerated nursing programs are specifically geared toward students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in something else.  These students have already proven their ability to manage time, study effectively and retain knowledge; in addition, they have already taken most foundational courses in a bachelor’s degree program.  While there may be some science pre-requisites to complete, almost all courses in an accelerated nursing program are focused specifically on the skills needed to be an RN.

In a standard BSN, students spend at least the first year, and sometimes the first two years, taking only foundational bachelor’s degree courses; nursing courses do not typically begin until the sophomore or junior year, and even then, they are often mixed in with other college courses.  The student in an accelerated nursing program takes only the nursing courses, significantly shortening the time it takes to complete the degree.  Most programs take between 11 and 18 months.  A key component of any BSN degree is the clinical.  Students in accelerated programs receive the same number of clinical hours as do their standard BSN counterparts.

LPN to BSN or RN to BSN Help Practicing Nurses Earn BSN

Another type of accelerated nursing program is an LPN to BSN or RN to BSN degree.  These programs are geared toward students who already have a nursing background, and thus some level of nursing education.  The programs build on the practical experience students have gained from working in the field.  The LPN to BSN program is slightly longer than the RN to BSN program, as there is often more material to cover.  Both programs allow students to complete their foundational Bachelor’s degree courses, and the nursing courses are geared specifically toward the skills and experience students already have.  These programs can usually be completed in 4 to 5 semesters, versus 8 semesters for a standard BSN degree.

There are both benefits and challenges to enrolling in accelerated nursing programs. For those earning their second bachelor’s degree, the degree program usually runs continuously, with no breaks.  This level of required focus can be exhausting.  However, because the program moves so quickly, students will find themselves ready to enter the workforce in 18 months or less.  For students in the LPN to BSN or RN to BSN programs, some material may seem redundant, depending on the student’s education and experience.

Online Accelerated Nursing Programs Help Students Juggle School, Family and Work Life

For all types of accelerated nursing programs, one of the biggest challenges is fitting education into an already established work and family life.  Juggling schedules to allow for commute time, classes, and studying can make the prospect seem overwhelming.  Online education has come a long way in the past decade, and many students are finding this be the solution.  Credible colleges and universities across the country, in including some Ivy League schools, are offering these accelerated online courses, ensuring students that they get the highest quality education, even online. Because the course material is presented in a variety of formats, and most of those formats can be accessed at any time for the duration of the course, students can create their own schedule of class and study time.  Plus, they do not have to allow extra time and money to cover commuting and parking.  Nursing students in online programs do not miss out on the multiple learning opportunities that are available to students in brick and mortar institutions; class forums, online office hours, discussion boards, and even video conferencing and chat programs allow students to learn in a variety of ways from a variety of source.  Students also complete their clinicals locally, and are still required to complete the same number of clinical hours as their campus-based counterparts.

Accelerated Nursing Programs Summation

The nursing profession is expected to grow 22% by the year 2018, opening up over 500,000 new positions.  Whether you are a mid-life career changer or an LPN or RN looking to advance your education, this is the time to take advantage of an accelerated nursing program and set yourself up take one of those new positions.

RN Education Basics

There are essentially three ways to become an RN: through an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) through a Diploma Program, or through a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN).  Each program varies from the others by difficulty of admittance, length of time required to complete it, and level of difficulty of the program; however, at the end of each program, graduates are eligible to sit for the Nursing Exam and earn their certification as an RN.

Despite the fact that graduates of all three programs are equally eligible to become RNs, and thus should theoretically have the same knowledge base, employers tend to pay a higher salary to those who have completed the more difficult program.

ADN and Diploma Programs Result in a Solid RN Salary

The Association Degree in Nursing takes approximately two years at a brick-and-mortar institution, and is often offered by community colleges, though some four year universities offer it as well.  Admittance into ADN programs is usually less competitive, though there are still certain prerequisite and GPA requirements that must be met.

In addition to nursing courses, students also complete some related science and math courses, as well as some general education courses, such as English and History.  Nursing courses tend to be more focused on the practical, and less focused on the theories of nursing.  The RN salary for someone with an ADN ranges from about $55,000 to about $61,000, depending on the number of years of experience.

The Diploma program was the primary way in which nurses earned their RN certification prior to the 1970s; now, however, there are only about 100 Diploma Programs offered in the US.  The majority of the program takes place in a hospital, and is almost entirely hands-on learning, versus classroom time.  It takes between two and three years to complete and includes very few non-nursing related classes.  The RN salary range for someone with an RN Diploma is between $49,000 and $59,000.

BSN Leads to Highest Potential RN Salary

The most rigorous route to an RN certification is via a BSN degree.  These degrees are only offered at four year universities, though many can be completed on line.  There are usually more requirements for admittance into a BSN program than into an RN program, and they can be more competitive, especially at traditional brick-and-mortar institutions.

For the student entering the BSN program with no prior nursing or college experience, it takes approximately four years to complete.  Courses cover not only the practical, but also the theoretical side of nursing, and also include all general education courses required for receiving a Bachelor’s Degree.

For students who already have some nursing experience, many universities offer RN to BSN Degrees, or LPN to BSN degrees, and many of these are online programs.  There are also accelerated BSN degrees for people who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.  These shortened programs usually take around 2 years to complete, depending on the specific program.

Employers look very favorably upon RNs with a BSN, as research has shown a direct link between the number of BSN prepared nurses in a facility and lower patient mortality rates.  BSN prepared nurses are also thought to have a better sense of the big picture because of the greater emphasis on theory in BSN courses.  In addition, nurses who have completed a BSN show a stronger level of commitment and focus because of the greater length of the program.  The average RN salary for someone with a BSN is between approximately $56,000 and $72,000, depending on years of experience.

Why the BSN Makes the Difference

While the RN salary for those with only a few years of experience does not vary significantly between the three different education levels, there is clearly a salary ceiling in place for RNs with either an ADN or a Diploma, as compared with RNs with a BSN degree.  BSN-prepared nurses with 20 or more years of experience can potentially earn up to $11,000 more a year when compared with AND-prepared nurses, and up to $13,000 when compared with Diploma-prepared nurses.

Many nurses who begin with either a Diploma or an ADN later go on to earn their BSN, in part because of the higher salary potential.  For those willing to make the commitment to a more rigorous program, earning a BSN offers the potential for a significantly higher RN salary.

Resources for Education and RN Salary

• Wikipedia listing for Registered Nurse
• AACN Fact sheet on Relationship Between Education and Patient Outcomes
• Payscale.com Stats for RN Salary

LPN Nursing Jobs Require Fewer  Critical Thinking and Technical Skills

Perhaps the most significant difference between LPN  jobs and RN nursing jobs is scope of practice.  LPNs focus primarily on bedside care, and basic assessment and care procedures, such as taking vital signs, administering injections and enemas, and assisting with personal hygiene and patient mobility.  They are usually under the direct supervision of an RN.  In most states, LPNs are not allowed to start IVs, administer medication, or hang blood bags.  These are all specific skills taught during RN training.  RNs who began their careers as LPNs also state critical thinking skills as a significant difference in education and training between the two nursing levels.  While LPNs are very task-oriented, RNs are trained to see the “big picture” and use multiple tools and factors to determine a patient’s care plan.  To that end, RNs conduct initial assessments and develop the care plan, while LPNs often carry it out.

In many cases, RNs, even those who have just earned their certification, have immediate supervision over LPNs.  This is one of the reasons why the RN salary is higher than the LPN salary for what seems to be the same job.  RNs carry a higher level of responsibility for the patient’s care and outcomes.

RN Nursing Jobs Offer Opportunities to Specialize by Workplace, Population, Disease

As a general rule, there are few opportunities for LPNs to specialize.  Most LPN nursing jobs utilize similar technical skills regardless of population or workplace setting.  Because the RN has a larger scope of practice, there is much more differentiation among patient population, workplace setting, type of disease or ailment, or body system cared for.  RNs who specialize by population may do so by age, such as newborns (neonatolgy) or the elderly (geriatrics), or by specific sectors of society, such as in prisons, schools, summer camps, or military bases.  While LPNs may also be care for these populations, their specific duties will be far less affected by the population than will the duties of the RN.

The majority of LPN jobs take place in hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, or in home healthcare companies.  While RNs also work in these settings, they can further specialize within hospitals as surgical nurses, emergency room nurses, or critical care nurses.  Other workplace settings that are available to RNs include hospice, in which the nurse cares for patients in the final stages of their lives; infusion, where nurses administer medications, fluids, and blood through IVs; or psychiatric/mental health, where nurses help care for patients with mental and emotional disorders.

Finally, RNs can specialize by type of illness or by body system treated.  These include diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDs nurses, or cardiology, gastroenterology, or dermatology nurses.

Each nursing specialty requires a different set of technical and patient care skills, as well as different levels of coping ability and stress management.  Some RNs receive specific training to help them specialize, while others develop the skills needed for a specialty over time, while working in that area.

Limited Opportunity for Advancement with LPN Nursing Jobs

Another significant difference between LPN nursing jobs and RN nursing jobs is the opportunities for advancement.  While LPNs have some opportunities for supervising others, such as becoming a charge nurse who oversees other LPNs and nurses aids, most supervisory and administrative roles are reserved for RNs, and many of those are reserved for RNs who have graduated with a BSN.  RNs typically begin as staff nurses in hospitals, and then, depending on performance, may progress to become assistant unit manager, head nurse, assistant director, director, vice president, or even chief of nursing.  Some of these more senior level positions may require a Masters in Nursing.

RNs also have the opportunity to obtain advanced practice certification through a specialized Masters in Nursing Degree.  Certified Nurse Midwives provide prenatal care, assist women with childbirth, and take care of general women’s health needs.  Nurse Practitioners work in various settings and provide primary and specialized care, covering a wide range of healthcare needs.  Certified Nurse Anesthetists administer anesthesia and other similar care needs for patients before, during and after surgery.  Finally, Clinical Nurse Specialists provide specialized care to patients in an area of nurse specialization.  Each of these advanced practice specialties affords the nurse a higher level of autonomy, allowing him or her to diagnose, write prescriptions, and in many cases, take care of most, if not all, of a patient’s needs.

LPN nursing jobs provide a great base of knowledge for any nurse; however, for a the LPN who wants more responsibility, the ability to specialize, and the opportunity to advance, obtaining a BSN through an LPN to BSN degree program is the best way to build on that base.

Additional Resources For LPN Nursing Jobs

• Department of Labor Handbook on Registered Nurse Jobs
• Department of Labor Handbook on LPN Nursing Jobs