Posted: September 6th, 2023

The Role of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses

The Role of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses
In the field of nursing, there are different levels of nursing professionals, including registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Both RNs and LPNs play a crucial role in healthcare settings, but their roles differ in terms of education, scope of practice, and responsibilities. This essay will compare and contrast the roles of RNs and LPNs, exploring the similarities and differences between these two nursing professions.

Education

One of the primary differences between RNs and LPNs is the level of education required. LPNs typically complete a practical nursing program, which takes about one year to complete, while RNs complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, which takes two to four years to complete. RNs also receive more in-depth education in areas such as leadership, research, and community health.

Scope of Practice

Another difference between RNs and LPNs is their scope of practice. LPNs provide basic patient care, such as administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with personal care, under the supervision of an RN or physician. RNs have a broader scope of practice, including patient assessment, developing and implementing care plans, administering medications, and providing patient education. RNs also have greater autonomy in decision-making and can supervise LPNs and other nursing assistants.

Responsibilities

LPNs and RNs also differ in terms of their responsibilities. LPNs focus more on basic patient care tasks, such as taking vital signs and collecting patient information, while RNs have more responsibilities related to patient assessment, treatment, and management. RNs also have greater responsibility for patient education, including teaching patients about their medications, diet, and self-care techniques.

Team Collaboration

Despite their differences in education, scope of practice, and responsibilities, RNs and LPNs both work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals as part of a team. Both RNs and LPNs work under the supervision of physicians and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and social workers. Effective communication and teamwork are essential in providing high-quality patient care and ensuring patient safety.

Conclusion

In conclusion, RNs and LPNs play critical roles in healthcare settings, but their roles differ in terms of education, scope of practice, responsibilities, and team collaboration. LPNs typically complete a one-year practical nursing program, while RNs complete an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. LPNs provide basic patient care under the supervision of RNs or physicians, while RNs have a broader scope of practice and more responsibilities related to patient assessment, treatment, and management. Regardless of their differences, both RNs and LPNs work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to provide high-quality patient care and ensure patient safety.

References:

American Nurses Association. (2019). Understanding the Different Types of Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/types-of-nurses/

National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2020). LPN/VN Education. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/lpn-vn-education.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Registered Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm