Should I Become an LPN or an RN?
With the huge demand for nurses today in the health care industry, whether you become a licensed practical nurse or an registered nurse comes down to a personal and financial choice. The licensed practical nurse program usually only takes about one year at your local community college, vocational college, or trade school, and will have you out and working in the field of your choice quicker, which in turn, means you will be bringing in a steady income in less time too. Licensed practical nurses are responsible for patient care, just as the registered nurse is, but the registered nurse holds more responsibility when it comes to administrative details and supervisory roles. The licensed practical nurse is responsible for gathering patient health information, collecting lab samples, performing routine lab tests, teaching hygiene habits to patients and their families, checking vital signs, feeding and caring for infants, and supervising aids and nursing assistants while on their shift.
Usually once the student has their licensed practical nurse certification, they can if they wish return to school, upgrade to registered nurse's certification, and receive advanced standing when qualifying to become a registered nurse. This saves the student time and money and will also eliminate some of the class work and tests generally required.
The licensed practical nurse usually has a salary ranging from $31,000 a year to $47,000 a year depending on where a position is obtained once the student has graduated. If the student obtains a position in the health care industry the salary runs about the $42,000 mark, but if the student finds a position in the home health care sector or a nursing care facility the salary would range around the $38,000 point. Some hospitals and professional offices that have licensed practical nurses pay between $32,000 and $35,000 annually.
As medicine becomes more advanced, the need for registered nurses with specialties continues to grow, making this a lucrative field to enter into. Today, nurses who specialize are enjoying greater career opportunities and flexibilities. This has opened the field for licensed practical nurses to advance their careers at a steady pace and earn an income that is equivalent or better with much less responsibility. These days the registered nurse is responsible for the needs of patients that involve operating rooms, intensive care, health care clinics, doctor's offices, ambulatory care, and several other specialized practices and clinics. Because registered nurses are so diversified, many new and interesting career doors are open to them, especially during this time, when nursing is at an all time shortage and there is a great demand for qualified registered nurses.
According to the Bureau of Labor the average income of a registered nurse that is practicing in the United States is around $57,000 annually with the middle 50% earning between $47,000 and $69,000 dollars annually. Then there are the nurses that handle more responsibility and have specialized training and experience, who have more advancement opportunities and a great increase in salary.
Today, because of the shortage of registered nurses, many accredited schools offer student aid in financing, and many hospitals now offer signing bonuses for those interested in becoming licensed registered nurses. The rewarding career offers many benefits, especially for those in specialty areas who earn a greater income.
Therefore, as you can see, it depends on what you are looking for and what you want your future to hold. If you are looking long term, then registered nurse is the way to go, but if you were looking short-term, then licensed practical nurse would probably suit your needs until you are ready to move on.
Published: 2009-09-21
