Online LPN to BSN Programs Degree Programs

Moving from being a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse is a natural career progression for someone interested in nursing. After all, licensed practical nurse is an excellent starting point in the profession, typically requiring only a year of formal training. On the other hand, advancement and income prospects are significantly enhanced by becoming a registered nurse, which requires a bachelor's degree.

Working as a licensed practical nurse while pursuing the additional career training necessary to become a registered nurse can be a practical choice. Fortunately, online degrees can make this additional education and training more convenient and cost-effective.

Key Differences: LPN vs. RN

What are some of the key differences between a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse? In a nutshell, it comes down to the advanced, specialized training a registered nurse receives.

Absent this training, licensed practical nurses tend more to be generalists. Like registered nurses, they do work extensively with patients, but their duties are more limited. These duties may consist of performing rudimentary patient care functions, monitoring and reporting patient data, and helping to collect and process samples for medical testing.

For registered nurses though, more advanced training allows them to pursue their choice of specialties. These specialties can determine the nature of the care environment the nurse works in, whether a doctor's office, intensive care unit, emergency room, or hospice. Other specialties may define the specific functions a nurse performs, such as giving injections and fluids, assisting during surgery, or helping with diagnostic examinations.

In addition to being able to perform more advanced functions, registered nurses are often given the edge in consideration for supervisory responsibilities or other advancement opportunities. In short, moving from a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse means taking your limited career in nursing and moving the possibilities forward considerably.

Career Training to Become a Registered Nurses

What additional career training is necessary to make the transition from licensed practical nurse to registered nurse? There are two major components: a formal degree program and state licensing.

The formal degree will most often take the form of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. While a bachelor's of science is typically a four-year degree, any formal training you received on route to becoming a licensed practical nurse may count toward your Bachelor of Science degree as well.

Once you have your degree, you will need to pass an additional standardized nursing test to become a registered nurse. This is a national test, even though licensing is administered at the state level.

Improved Nursing Job Prospects

What is the payoff for all this additional training? Registered nurses tend to earn significantly more than licensed practical nurses. Based on median national incomes as of 2006, registered nurses earned a little better than 50 percent more than licensed practical nurses. Both levels of nursing stand to benefit from rising health care demand over the next several years. All in all, this makes the move from licensed practical nurse to registered nurse well worth the additional career training.

• Nursing
• Health & Medical