Nursing

LPN vs. RN: What’s the Difference?

NursingDecember 11, 2023

全美有近400万执业护士(lpn)和注册护士(rn)为患者提供护理.S., according to 2022 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Hospitals, residential care homes, 其他医疗机构依靠护士提供出色的病人护理. Due to the ongoing nursing shortage, the demand for nurses will continue to grow, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

There are many different kinds of positions in the nursing field, 从注册护理助理(CNAs)到高级执业注册护士(aprn). 许多有抱负的护士对成为LPN或RN感兴趣,他们想知道这两种工作有什么不同. In this comparison of the two roles, LPN vs. RN, we explore each role’s responsibilities, job outlook, and educational requirements

What Is an LPN? 

A licensed practical nurse 在注册护士或医生的监督下提供基本医疗服务. LPNs monitor patients’ blood pressure, record their vital signs, and report medical information to other members of the care team. 

lpn在护理和居家护理机构、医院和家庭保健机构工作. lpn的教育英国正版365官方网站通常需要一年左右的时间才能完成. 在一些州,如德克萨斯州,lpn被称为有执照的职业护士(lvn)。. 

LPN Duties and Responsibilities

LPN的职责包括提供基本的病人护理, 比如给病人换绷带或者帮他们包扎. LPNs also monitor patients’ vital signs, document their care, and discuss their care plans with them, their families, and other healthcare professionals. 

Particularly in home healthcare settings, LPNs assist patients with their daily living activities, including feeding and bathing. 他们可能会把病人及其家属的担忧转达给注册护士或医生. lpn还向患者及其家属传达医疗指示.

一些州允许lpn放置静脉注射管并给药. LPNs can draw blood in most states.

LPN Skills

因为他们与病人密切合作,所以执业护士需要很强的沟通和人际交往能力. 这些护士还必须能够有效地向其他医疗保健专业人员传达相关信息. LPN角色需要注重细节的观点和多任务处理的能力, because LPNs often have multiple patients to care for.

Successful LPNs bring compassion and caring to their role. 这项工作还需要体力,因为护士护士经常站着值班.

What Is an RN? 

A registered nurse cares for patients as a critical part of the clinical care team. RNs administer medical treatments, educate patients about their care plans, and assist physicians during medical procedures. 

RNs primarily work in hospitals, while others work in physicians’ offices, ambulatory healthcare departments, and nursing and residential care facilities. 提供获得注册护士执照所需的知识和技能的教育英国正版365官方网站可能只需要两年的时间就能完成. 未来的注册护士还可以获得护理学士学位,这可能需要长达四年的时间. 

RN Duties and Responsibilities

Registered nurses play a central role in patient care. Like LPNs, RNs have hands-on responsibilities in patient care. But RNs have a broader scope of practice. They not only provide patient care, they also conduct health assessments, administer medication, and create patient care plans. 

RNs provide holistic care to patients. This means, alongside their duties managing their patients’ care, 他们也应用循证实践来促进病人的健康. 他们教育病人如何管理他们的医疗状况和保持他们的健康. 

RNs can specialize in any of a number of areas, including cardiovascular care, critical care, pediatrics, or public health.

RN Skills

On clinical care teams, RNs act as coordinators and leaders. 在许多情况下,注册护士管理lpn,并充当患者和医生之间的桥梁. 这些角色需要很强的沟通、组织和领导能力. 

注册护士依靠他们的批判性思维技能来修改病人的护理计划,并对病人健康状况的变化做出反应. 在重症监护环境中,注册护士还必须能够迅速采取行动并应对压力. 和私家护士一样,注册护士必须对自己的角色充满同情心,而且他们必须有体力.

Differences Between an LPN and an RN

虽然lpn和RNs都提供重要的患者护理,但这两种护理角色在关键方面有所不同. When it comes to LPN vs. RN roles, the main differences include:

  • Job responsibilitieslpn提供基本的病人护理,而注册护士的执业范围更广. RNs act with greater autonomy and often monitor LPNs. 
  • Educational requirementsLPN英国正版365官方网站通常需要一年,而注册护士英国正版365官方网站至少需要两年. RNs complete additional coursework and clinical training.
  • Earning potential: Because RNs have greater responsibilities, they typically earn higher salaries than LPNS. LPN可以通过注册LPN到注册护士的课程来增加他们的收入潜力.
  • Career advancement. LPNs can become RNs, 而注册护士可以提高他们的教育水平,成为执业护士或承担其他高级执业注册护士的角色.

Job Outlook: LPN vs. RN

预计在未来的许多年里,RNs和lpn在全国范围内都有很高的需求. 根据劳工统计局的预测,从2022年到2032年,RN的工作岗位将增长6%,而LPN的工作岗位将增长5%. 

More than 193,未来十年,预计每年将有1000个注册护士职位空缺, while over 54,预计在未来十年,每年将有000个lpn职位空缺, according to the BLS. 退休和对医疗保健服务日益增长的需求将推动这一需求. 

Launch Your Nursing Career With a Nursing School Program

 

医疗保健系统依靠熟练的护士提供卓越的病人护理. 富通提供护理学校课程,通过课堂教学和实践技能发展的结合来培养未来的护士. 学生通过在经验丰富的护士指导下完成临床工作,获得职业技能. 

在富通,你可以找到最适合你的时间表和兴趣的护理学校英国正版365官方网站. Choose from a practical nursing program or an Associate Degree in Nursing program. 了解富通如何帮助您实现专业护理目标. 

Recommended Readings
The Path From CNA to PN or RN
Which Nursing Degree Should I Pursue?
6 Essential Clinical Nursing Skills

Sources:
美国护理学院协会,“护理短缺情况说明书”
Cleveland Clinic, “Licensed Practical Nurse”
U.S. 劳工统计局,执业护士和执业护士
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses
WedMD, “What Is a Registered Nurse?”