Tammy Daniels
ENG 121 Composition 1
Instructor Tamara Dorris
October 25, 2010
COMPARE 2
Compare and Contrast Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses When you compare the differences between an RN and an LPN you must first know what the skills and duties are. The roles of an RN and an LPN somewhat vary. There are, however, similarities and differences in education, training, duties and qualifications that are required to work safely and legally. While both are responsible for providing quality patient care, the two are usually very different. Although both must attend Clinical experiences. Here they train to provide care of actual patients in hospitals, nursing homes, medical/surgical, labor and delivery and geriatric patients. In the next few paragraphs, we will take a look at the differences between RN’s and LPN’s and how their jobs vary in skills and education. A Registered Nurse (“RN”) is a graduated, trained nurse that has passed a state registration exam and has been licensed to practice nursing. RN’s spend three to five years after their prerequisites are completed to obtain their degree. The RN exam is based on the theory behind the care as well as the care itself. This allows them to have a broader and deeper understanding of necessary topics. Their specialized topics could include psychology, pharmacology, clinical practice and research utilization. This also increases the cost of an RN’s education. Now let us look at some of the differences in education between the two. A Licensed Practical Nurse (“LPN”) is a licensed trained nurse that has had one year of vocational training. LPN’s spend twelve to eighteen months after their prerequisites are completed to obtain their license. The LPN exam focuses on the care of the patient. Their function is under the guidance and