What is LPN and RN?

What are the differences between LPN's and RN's?

• And do you have to take the HESI A2 exam to become a RN aside from schooling? Or does the LPN take the HESI A2 exam to do the RN thing? Isn't the LPN a higher up than a RN, or is ...show more

• Answer:

  Sorry, but I have to set the record straight, as two of the postings to this question are not exactly correct. But hopefully I can answer your other questions as well. The difference between an LPN and and RN is the amount of schooling that you have to take and what you are able to do as a nurse. Most LPN programs are about 10 months, and allow you to perform limited nursing procedures. Most hospitals do not hire LPNs any more, because they can get certified nursing assistants to do pretty much the same thing. You can obtain an RN with either a 2 year degree or a full 4-year degree, depending on the institution that is offering the program. A local community college offers an associates degree, which gives you the requirements that you will need in order to sit for the licensing exam (NCLEX). A four year degree is offered by major institutions, such as state schools. The difference, as far as obtaining a license to work as RN is, that there is known. It is just a difference in the type of degree that you have. If you want to work in a hospital, you only need to have a 2 year degree. But, if you want any kind of advancement, you'll need to have a 4 year degree or more. So, contrary to what someone has already posted, you can obtain an RN license with a 2 year degree, and do not need to attend a 4 year program before obtaining a nursing license. As far as the other post about RNs being "above" LPNs, I hate the idea that this presents, as RNs and LPNs are both nurses. What an RN can do is different than what an LPN can do because of their license. Think of it this way, you obtain a driver's license to drive a car, but that doesn't give you a right to drive a motorcylce, for that you need a different license. The difference between an RN and an LPN is that LPNs cannot perform certain nursing procedures (such as administering certian medications or adding medications to intravenous lines). Each state determines what LPNs and RNs can and cannot do, so you will have to look at your particular state to determine what LPNs can actually do. As far as the examinations go, this is something that is newer than when I went through nursing school. What little I know about it, is that the examinations that you take at the end of each class are worded much like the questions that you will take when you sit for your nursing license exam (NCLEX). Sorry that I don't know much more than that, but someone at your educational institution should be able to give you some more insight as to what the examinations are like. I also found a lot of information on the web about study guides, so there is other information available out there as well. GOOD LUCK!