Nurse
It can be challenging to know where to start if you’re trying to decide between becoming an LPN and a Nurse Practitioner (NP). After all, both jobs are in the same field but have very different responsibilities and career paths. In this article, let’s explore how these two are different and what they entail.
What is an LPN?
An LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse, and according to Zippia, the US currently has more than 1,850,604 licensed practical nurses. They have the skills and training to perform many of the tasks that RNs do, but they need to be more educated and experienced. LPNs work under the supervision of an RN, who can delegate tasks to them based on their skill level and the needs of their patients.
In some states, you’ll need a nursing bachelor’s degree before becoming an LPN. In other places where only a high school education is required for licensure as an LPN, and even those where college is mandatory, you can get your certificate without taking any classes.
What is a Nurse Practitioner?
According to AANP National Nurse Practitioner Database, more than 355,000 nurse practitioners are licensed in the US. NPs are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide primary care to patients. They can diagnose and treat common medical conditions, perform physical exams, order lab tests, interpret results, and prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
NPs are certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The certification process includes passing an exam that covers principles of nursing practice; evidence-based interventions; health promotion/disease prevention strategies; pharmacology principles related to prevention & treatment of disease states or injuries; communication skills necessary for effective patient care delivery across multiple settings such as acute care facilities & long term care facilities.
LPN vs. NP – What’s the Difference?
If you are wondering about LPN vs. nurse practitioner, what’s the difference? LPNs are licensed practical nurses. They have training in a wide range of medical and healthcare procedures and can provide complete nursing care to patients under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with advanced education and clinical experience in treating patients with common illnesses, injuries, and other health conditions. NPs can diagnose illnesses; prescribe medications; order diagnostic tests; provide preventative care; counsel patients on lifestyle changes that may improve their health; manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes mellitus or asthma; provide palliative care for terminally ill patients nearing death, and much more.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re looking to become a nurse practitioner, there are several things to remember. First, you must enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their health goals. If this interests you, becoming an NP could be your right career path.
If your goal is to work in private practice rather than hospitals or other clinical settings, then the education required is not worth it. That being said, if working directly with patients sounds like something that interests and motivates you, and having more responsibility than LPNs appeals, then becoming an NP is also worth considering. As for salary, while an NP might make $113,000 annually, an LPN makes up to $63,790 as per BLS.
Both Positions Offer Great Career Opportunities, but the Roles Are Quite Different
As you can see, the two roles have some critical differences. LPNs typically work directly with patients in hospitals or physicians’ offices, while NPs tend to work in clinics and other healthcare settings. LPNs are likely to perform tasks such as administering medications and changing bandages. NPs may assist with these tasks but also spend much time overseeing a team of nurses.
LPNs also have more limited training than NPs, they’re only allowed by law to write prescriptions or make diagnoses with direct supervision from doctors or physician assistants (PAs). In contrast, NPs are trained to make diagnoses based on clinical experience and observation alone. They can also prescribe medications independently if they’ve received additional training through certification programs like Nursing Practice Act (NPA) Certification in California.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that both LPNs and nurse practitioners are vital healthcare team members. They bring something unique to the table, meaning they should be treated as equals in all aspects of their career.
It’s important to note that although there are some differences between these two roles, they share many similarities, including the fact that both require extensive education and training before entering practice. If you have questions about how these professionals differ or what path might be right for you, talk with an admissions counselor today.
