Curious about a career in nursing? You might have heard about licensed practical nurses and wondered what an LPN can do. A licensed practical nurse cares for patients and works closely with doctors and registered nurses (RNs). This role can be a good first step toward other nursing pathways if you decide you want to advance in your career.
As you explore careers in nursing, it helps to know how an LPN compares to other nurses, including RNs. In this article, we’ll go over what an LPN does, how it’s different from a registered nurse, and how to decide what nursing role is the right one for you.
What Is an LPN?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides basic care to patients under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses. Florida uses the LPN title, but other states, like California, may use the term licensed vocational nurse (LVN) instead. Despite the difference in titles, both LPNs and LVNs have essentially the same responsibilities.
To become an LPN in Florida, you can earn a post-secondary certificate or diploma. These programs usually take around 1 year to complete. Once you finish your education, you must take an exam to earn your nursing license.
What Can a Licensed Practical Nurse Do?
LPNs can work in different healthcare facilities, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, and nursing homes. Some work in home healthcare settings, where they go to patients’ homes to provide care.
While their work environment can vary, LPNs usually have a similar set of tasks, which include:
- Checking patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and temperature
- Monitoring patients and recording observations
- Helping patients with basic tasks, like bathing, eating, and dressing
- Changing bandages
- Updating patient records and reporting changes to physicians
- Offering emotional support to patients and families
An LPN’s duties might look slightly different depending on the state where they’re licensed. For example, some states allow LPNs to administer medications, while others do not.
LPN vs. RN: What’s the Difference?
An LPN is not the same as an RN, though they often work together to provide patient care. To become an RN, you need to earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
With their additional education and clinical training, RNs have more responsibility than LPNs and can handle more advanced nursing tasks.
What Can an RN Do That an LPN Cannot?
In many healthcare facilities, RNs supervise LPNs. Registered nurses can also perform some tasks that licensed practical nurses cannot do. In Florida, for example, only RNs can do these tasks:
- Initiate IV fluids to patients
- Start blood-related products
- Give IV push medications
- Mix IV solutions
The state does allow LPNs to perform IVs if they complete additional training, but even then, they must be supervised by an RN or a doctor.
LPN-to-RN Pathways
Becoming an LPN is the entry-level track to being a nurse, according to the American Nurses Association (ANA). Many nurses start their careers as LPNs before moving into higher roles.
If you start as an LPN and later want to become an RN, you have these options:
LPN to ADN
Your first option is going back to school to earn an associate degree. Once you’ve completed an ADN program, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN to earn your RN license.
As an LPN, your previous education may transfer to an ADN program, depending on the school. At West Coast University, you can transfer up to 12 eligible credits from your LPN education.
With this transfer credit, you can graduate with your ADN in as little as 17 months. If you’ve completed any general education courses, you may be able to earn your associate degree even sooner.
LPN to BSN
Another option you have is completing an LPN to BSN program. It’s similar to the LPN to ADN pathway, except you earn a bachelor’s degree.
A BSN program has a broader curriculum than an ADN program, so it takes longer to complete. However, some employers prefer to hire registered nurses with a BSN degree, according to the ANA. It can also set you up for further education if you want to continue advancing your career.
Should You Become an LPN or an RN?
Trying to decide whether to start your career as an LPN or an RN? It’s understandable to feel confused or even overwhelmed. Here are a few factors to consider as you make this decision:
- Timeline: Completing an LPN program is the fastest pathway to begin working in the nursing field. But if you know you want to become an RN eventually, an ADN program gives you a streamlined education without needing to go back to school later.
- Scope of responsibilities: Compared to LPNs, RNs have a broader scope of practice. An LPN provides basic nursing care, while an RN takes a more active role in assessing and treating patients. Think about what level of responsibility you want to have as a nurse.
- Future career goals: Do you have an interest in advanced nursing roles, like a nurse practitioner or nurse educator? Getting your ADN or BSN first can help you move up in your career more quickly than starting as an LPN.
Keep in mind that your nursing career may not follow a linear path — and that’s OK! WCU-Miami alumna Anne-Marie had other jobs in healthcare before she became an LPN. After her kids grew up, she decided to continue her education and become an RN.
“So much time had elapsed that I just wanted to get it done,” Anne-Marie said. “West Coast offered it, and I said, ‘This is the school I have to go to,’ because there are rarely any schools out there with an LPN to RN-BSN program.”
Move Forward With Your Nursing Education at West Coast University
An LPN supports patients with basic care and assists RNs and doctors with their tasks. It’s a worthwhile career that allows you to make a difference in patients’ lives. However, if you want to take on more responsibility and advance your nursing career, you can also consider becoming an RN by getting an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing.
If you feel ready to take the next steps in your nursing career, West Coast University’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program can give you a path forward. In this program, you’ll complete a streamlined curriculum to prepare for the NCLEX-RN. You can graduate with your ADN in as little as 20 months. If you already have your LPN license, you may be eligible to earn your ADN in as few as 17 months. Ready to move forward in your nursing career? Reach out to request more information or schedule an information session today
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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