What's The Difference?

Credit to: www.sawyerschool.org

There has always been so much confusion about the subject of nursing. The main topic of confusion is being able to distinguish the difference between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse. Although it is true that the jobs they perform may be similar in a way but they have a numerous amount of differences within the two occupations.

A Registered Nurse is at the top of the medical nursing chain. They perform many and the most difficult jobs in the medical field aside from doctors. An RN's job is to make sure that their patients are getting the most accurate help that they can and that their health is in the greatest condition possible at all times. Their most important job is conjuring up a patient care plan for their patients. Each plan is custom made for each patient to accommodate their problems that need to be focused on while under the care of an RN. An RN has to take precaution to a lot of different characteristics before completing this task. He/she has to take into consideration that patient's gender, religious preferences, level of independence, dietary needs, and financial/emotional support. Registered Nurses are also the nurses whose salary is the highest. On average, an RN receives a yearly wage that ranges between $48,000-$90,000 based upon location.

A LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse. It can also be known for Licensed Vocational Nurse which is long for LVN. LPNs can perform almost the same functions as Registered Nurses. The official assessment of a patient must be performed by an RN but an LPN is allowed to assist the RN in any shape, form, or fashion possible. Unlike RNs, LPNs are NOT allowed to give I.V. push medicines or start PIC lines. A Licensed Practical Nurse's job is mainly to help the Registered Nurses oversee caregivers and report back to them anything that changes or goes wrong with a patient. LPNs make less money than RNs of course, and their yearly wage ranges from $20,000-$50,000 based off of their location and level of experience.

Being an LPN does not make a person any less important due to the fact that they cannot perform as many duties or make as much earnings as an RN does. Each job in the medical field is fairly important but they are all distinct in their own ways. No two positions in any type of medical workforce have to demonstrate the same duties because there is plenty for each individual position to do on its own. Most importantly, people will continue to realize the differences between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse.



Pediatric Nursing

My passion to become a nurse came about when I was 12 years old. Ever since I found the love for becoming a Registered Nurse my decision about it has never wavered. Even still today my choice has not changed but I guess I can say that it has advanced. I have been thinking that maybe I want to pursue becoming a Pediatric Nurse. Reason being is because I have always wanted to be a nurse and also I absolutely adore children. So what better job to persevere after than one combined with the two things I love. It is one thing to help people in general, but knowing that I could be saving the life of an innocent child is indescribable.

Since I am strongly considering taking the route to be a Pediatric Nurse, I have done a little research on what it takes to become one. I read in a blog self entitled "How To Become A Pediatric Nurse" that in order to become this kind of nurse I would have to of course attend a nursing school, gain a license and certification and also gain some experience before actually trying to execute the job. This is a kind of job that should not be taken lightly because you have the lives of others in your care. It is a scary thought when thought about but has a beautiful outcome when actually done.

Pediatric nursing consists of dedication to caring for or improving children's health. Having this job requires a lot of duties that need to be fulfilled. Pediatric nurses usually cooperate with pediatricians and other health care providers who are skilled in this field. They accompany doctors, other nurses, prediatricians etc. with physical examinations, record vital statictics, take blood and urine samples, order diagnostic procedures, test them and then analyze them, are responsible for starting medications, and design care plans for children recovering from illness. There are many responsibilities that go along with being a pediatrician but it is all for a great purpose; to help children from infant ages to adolescents.

Another reason I am so interested in being a nurse is because of the potential money I can make. “Pediatric Nursing is one of the most stable sub segments of the general nursing profession” says an anonymous author in a blog about nurses' salaries. Today, working in the medical field is one of the most guaranteed ways to make good enough money to be able to support any type of lifestyle. Whether it is taking care of yourself, family, or just trying to pay a bill, nursing is sure to strongly support it. But in order to make the type of money you desire, you will have to live in that type of environment. For example, the cost of living in California is high so of course employees will have to get paid more to fit and keep up with that cost; as opposed to living in Alabama the cost is not as nearly as high. Regardless of where you live though, being a Pediatric Nurse is always qualified as a great paying job.