Practical or Professional Nursing
Have you decided upon a career in nursing? Congratulations! Now you must choose
which license you want to attain: practical or professional. Each has a
different educational path, and each offers different advancement opportunities.
(Links to resources are found in the For More Information box at the end of the
article.)Practical Nursing - LPN/LVN
A Licensed Practical Nurse (called a Licensed Vocational Nurse in a few states)
can perform selected nursing duties as directed by a licensed professional
nurse, physician, or dentist. These duties would not require specialized skills,
judgment or knowledge. LPNs perform basic bedside care such as taking vital
signs, applying dressings, and taking care of patients' personal hygiene as well
as their emotional needs. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and
aides.
About 60% of LPNs work in nursing homes or hospitals. As the population ages,
the Department of Labor expects an increase in job opportunities in nursing
homes and home healthcare. Job opportunities in hospitals will decrease as more
procedures are performed outside the hospital, in doctors' offices, clinics and
homes. In May 2006, the median salary for an LPN was $36,500.
To become an LPN, you must spend approximately one year in an educational
program offered by a vocational-technical school, community college, or
hospital. The programs include classroom study as well as supervised patient
care in a clinical setting. You then apply for a license with your State Board
of Nursing, and pass the NCLEX-PN exam to earn your license. Each state has
different requirements for licensing, so it is important to investigate the
requirements on your state's Board of Nursing web site, and to contact them if
you have questions.
If you decide upon the LPN license in the short-term, you can work towards an RN
license when the time is right for you by entering a program that bridges the
educational gap between LPNs and RNs. With these “LPN-RN bridge” programs, LPNs
can earn their Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science of
Nursing (BSN). Once an LPN has graduated from the ADN or BSN program, they can
sit for the professional nurse (RN) exam.
Professional Nursing - RN
Compared to the LPN, a Registered Nurse (RN) can get involved in diagnosing and
treating, health teaching, health counseling, and executing medical regimens
prescribed by a physician or dentist. They can work in hospitals, nursing homes,
offices, government agencies, at worksites, etc. opportunities to work outside a
hospital setting, and for professional advancement are much greater.
Job prospects for RNs are excellent. It is the largest healthcare occupation,
and is one of the top 10 occupations for growth according to the Department of
Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. With the demand for nurses high, salaries
will rise accordingly. In May 2006, the median salary was $57,280.
If you plan to become an RN, you have three educational routes from which to
choose:
-
4-year Bachelor of Science of Nursing (BSN) from a college
-
3-year Hospital Diploma Program
-
2-year Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a college
The trend in RN education is shifting away from the hospital diploma programs
towards the programs offered by formal education institutions. At first blush,
beginning students might be tempted to follow the 2-year path, but there are
important long-term issues to consider. The 4-year BSN degree prepares you to
work in any healthcare setting, making you much more employable. The BSN lays
the groundwork for advancement in nursing care (clinical nursing specialties),
and is critical if you wish to participate in case management, administration,
teaching, consulting, or nursing specialties.
After completing your formal education, you must apply for a license with your
State Board of Nursing, and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
If you pursue the ADN or hospital diploma path to your RN, you can go back later
for your BSN since many institutions offer what’s called a “RN-BSN Bridge”
program. Your employer may have a tuition reimbursement program to assist you.
Choosing between an RN and LPN nursing program is an important one. Knowing the
job responsibilities, employment outlook, and educational requirements can help
you determine which of these two respected professions matches your individual
career goals.
For More Information:
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