LPN or RN what’s the difference?

LPN or RN what’s the difference?


Every year, more and more people who would want to become a nurse would take up an LPN program first then would eventually go to the next step by getting into an RN program. Which makes us wonder, what is the difference between an LPN and RN?


Licensed practical nurses which are commonly known as LPN are basically the first level nurses. They can do both simple and complex procedures. But these procedures must be done under the supervision of a physician or a registered nurse. They can administer medications and monitor patient’s reaction to the medication given, perform vital sign measurements, maintain patient’s record, collect blood and urine samples and in some states are allowed to administer IV push medications and perform simple laboratory work such as urinalysis. But LPNs are being strictly monitored by either a RN or a physician.

Where as a registered nurse which are commonly known as RN can perform all the things a LPN can do plus other responsibilities since they have more training and more or less have a lot more experience than the LPN. RNs can have different specialties with additional training and experience. They can work independently without the supervision of a practicing physician and can also work as health consultants.

One of the main differences between an RN from an LPN is the fact that RNs have passed the NCLEX. The NCLEX is accepted in every state as an indicator of minimum competency of a new graduate.
When it comes to LPN or RN, what’s the difference? Experience and training are the main difference between the two nursing programs. Basically, RNs have more training and experience than the LPNs in terms of theory and practical applications.

HESI Exam Study Tips

There are some colleges who use the HESI exit exams to nursing students to see whether or not they could graduate and if they can pass the NCLEX exams. The HESI exams passing results differ with each school but passing the HESI exams is essential if you want to pursue nursing.

To get ready for the HESI Exams, here are some study tips that might be useful.

Exam Study Groups can be very Helpful

• Form a study group. Some people find it easier to study if you are in a group. You can help each other by sharing your strengths and get pointers for your weak subjects.
• Attend a review session. There will be hospitals, universities and other organizations that set up review sessions for nursing students who will be taking the HESI exams. These review sessions also give study tips to help with your own review.
• Use online reviews and study guides. There are different review materials available online. It might be costly but there are cases that the exam questions can be found in the review materials you have used.
• Get remediation books that are available in HESI. Books coming from the source of the exam would give you some idea as to what will be included in the exit exams.
• Make sure to get enough rest. Get some needed rest when you’re already tired from studying. Not getting enough rest will not help you understand the things that you are reviewing. A clear head during the exam itself will also help you understand the questions easier.

This HESI exam study tips are just some few general points to remember. In reviewing for an exam, you would still need to be comfortable in the studying style to make sure that you can fully comprehend the materials you are using in your review.

Excelsior CPNE Exam Notes

The Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination is a skill based assessment exam to see a nursing student’s ability to demonstrate his/her skills and behavior at entry level associate-prepared nurse. The CPNE Exam provides the following:

• A one-on-one evaluation by a master’s or doctoral degree examiner trained to administer the exam
• Simulation of clinical situations
• Controlled and monitored examination experience for a fair and objective examination.

As a requirement to pass the nursing program, Excelsior College School of Nursing has been known to have excellent workshops to prepare for the CPNE. They have been also noted to be the leading school to offer workshops and comprehensive guides to prepare a nursing student for the CPNE Exam.
The Excelsior CPNE Exam has been known to be very hard, with only 50% passing rate. To pass it on the first try would garner you respect

Exam CPNE Struggle

from your fellow students. To most people, it would feel like you have already passed the NCLEX.

But the Excelsior CPNE Exam has been scrutinized by many people; almost all of them have taken the Excelsior CPNE Exam. There were many issues that had sprung out: biased examiners, they would fail you due to very minute detail that you did not do during the exam, being late for the exam were some of the complaints that had come out giving the Excelsior CPNE Exam both good and bad reputation for nursing students.

But still, everyone would agree that the CPNE Exam is very helpful to prepare student nurses for what they might encounter when they finally enter the workforce. Many would still attest that the programs made by Excelsior are very useful in their nursing career and the exam, though hard, has helped them become comfortable in working in the hospital.

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