LPN and RPN?

what's the difference between licensed and registered nurse?

A LPN (licensed practical nurse) is a nurse who has completed a shorter course of nursing school (I believe it's only about a year). They have less prequisites- so less basic math, science, anatomy, etc.).

A RN (registered nurse) completes a 2 year nursing program (after completing prerequisites) or a 4 year bachelors program in nursing. There is a lot more "book" training as well as more clinical time. A LPN is somewhat limited in their scope of practice compared to a RN and in the hospitals I have worked in, LPN's had to work under the supervision of a RN.

There's a lot of other differences that could take forever to get into.

Rn's get more pay. Rn's usually are doing more paperwork and letting the NA's and nurses do the hard work. College degree is the difference.

RN's get paid more because they have a bachelors degree or whatever, but ive worked in the meical field as a c.n.a. for 5 years and as far as i can tell the lpn's do everything that the rn's do....... i will know more once i go back to school :)

LPN nuses are not as qualified as RN nurses. So the pay is not as good. Takes more education to be a RN.

Pay and responsibility. LPNs are limited to what they are qualified to do. Most work is in nursing homes while RNs work hospitals (or anywhere). Go for the RN, my wife got her LPN & ended up going back for RN, wasted lots of time & money.

Its LPN or RN not RPN. A LPN can also be called an LVN in some states.

AN LVN requires 1 year of college or technical schooling. There's a licnesure test. Most work in nursing homes-- technically they work under a nurse, or for a nurse. But in hosptials they often have independent patients. LVNs technically see patients who are established. They don't hang blood, or give narcotics, or Chem therapy drugs, or perform advanced procedures. Often the job an LVN gets when they are 20 is the same type of job they have when they retire so there's no room to progress an an LVN.

As an RN you'll make about 25% more at first, but spend 4 years in college, and theres more competition. Most RNs work in hospitals. RNs can advance in job and area and pay extensively through a career. An RN whos new will likely not be doing the same job when they retire and will make significantly more (up to 3 times more with progression and experience).