What Are The Main Duties Of An LPN? | What Are The Main Duties Of An RN? |
The scope of practice for an LPN is broadly defined. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPNs provide for the basic comfort of their patients, administer basic patient care (such as changing bandages and inserting catheters) and report on their patients’ health status to higher-ups in the chain of command at their place of employment.
Every state allows LPNs to draw blood although some states may require them to complete a phlebotomy course first. In every state, LPNs can administer intravenous medications although some states require the completion of a board-approved IV course first while other states only allow IV medication administration under the direction of a supervising RN. Many states restrict the ability of LPNs to administer hemodialysis or push IV drugs.
| The main difference between LPN vs. RN job duties has to do with nursing assessments: RNs can do them, and LPNs can’t. The scope of practice for RNs is broadly defined, but most RNs juggle some combination of clinical and administrative duties.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, responsibilities most likely to be assigned to RNs include assessing a patient’s health-related status, recording medical histories, administering medications and health-related treatments, educating patients, and using and monitoring medical equipment. While a large part of an RN’s work consists of providing clinical care to ill, injured, convalescing or disabled patients, RNs are also involved in patient education, and offer emotional and psychological support to patients as needed.
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Where Does An LPN Work? | Where Does An RN Work? |
LPNs have a versatile skill set, which allows them to work in a range of practice settings, including:
• Nursing homes and nursing care facilities: Residential care facilities employ 38 percent of all LPNs. In long-term care facilities, LPNs are supervised by RNs.
• Hospitals: Fourteen percent of LPNs work in medical centers, most frequently on maternity wards, in emergency rooms, and in surgical units. LPNs typically function as part of a multidisciplinary team where they supervise nursing aides and are supervised in turn by RNs.
• Physicians’ offices: Thirteen percent of LPNs work in physician practices where they’re typically managed by a physician. Physician practices may be one of the best places for LPNs to expand their skill sets because they have the opportunity to perform more sophisticated medical procedures as their employers come to know and trust them.
• Home healthcare agencies: Home healthcare agencies employ 12 percent of all LPNs. Most home healthcare agencies prefer six months or more experience working in a long-term care facility before they will consider hiring you.
• Outpatient care centers: LPNs are frequently employed by specialty care centers such as wound care, dialysis, and addiction clinics. | RNs comprise the largest professional segment of the healthcare-related workforce and are employed in a variety of occupational settings, including:
• Hospitals: Sixty-one percent of all RNs work in medical centers.
• Outpatient care centers: Ambulatory healthcare services such as emergency rooms, urgent care clinics, community health centers and ambulatory surgery centers employ 18 percent of all registered nurses.
• Nursing homes and nursing care facilities: Registered nurses who work in residential care facilities account for 6 percent of the RN workforce.
• Government: Five percent of all RNs work for governmental entities like Medicare, Medicaid, health departments at the state and federal level, and Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospitals.
• Educational system: Elementary schools, middle schools and high schools employ 3 percent of all RNs. |
What Is The Work Environment Like For An LPN? | What Is The Work Environment Like For An RN? |
In hospital settings, an LPN’s primary responsibilities are mostly medical and include tasks like passing medications, administering injections, performing treatments such as catheterization and tracheostomy care, cleaning and dressing wounds, and collecting laboratory samples. In hospitals, however, LPN duties are more limited as are professional advancement opportunities.
LPNs in nursing homes tend to do fewer clinical interventions, mostly offering assistance with routine activities of everyday life such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating. But they do have more opportunities for career advancement. In 2011, the National League for Nursing reported that newly licensed LPNs in long-term care were almost six times as likely to have administrative responsibilities as their counterparts in hospitals were. LPNs in long-term care facilities have more chances to move up the ranks. They often supervise the nursing assistants who perform basic duties such as bathing and changing bed pans.
Physician practices present LPNs with the best opportunity to expand their clinical skill sets because once physicians get to know and trust an LPN, it’s not uncommon for those physicians to assign LPNs responsibilities that are technically beyond an LPN’s scope of practice. In such instances, the physician may be legally liable for the tasks an LPN performs. LPNs in physicians’ offices may also perform administrative duties such as taking calls and preparing insurance claims in addition to their clinical work.
The type of home care LPNs provide and the number of hours they spend in a patient’s home depends upon what that patient needs. | In hospitals, RNs work as members of a healthcare team. The exact nature of the clinical tasks they perform depends upon the type of facility the RN is employed by as well as the specialty unit. Common RN specialties include ICU nursing, medical/surgical (med/surg) nursing, pediatric nursing, and oncology nursing.
Registered nurses who work in outpatient care clinics help treat large volumes of patients in short periods of time. They typically provide treatments under the supervision of a physician, a PA, or an NP. In addition to assisting with treatments, RNs in this practice setting administer IV medications and monitor patients before and after medical treatments. They may also help with diagnostic tests and provide patient education.
In nursing care facilities, RNs are chiefly employed to supervise LPNs and nursing assistants, and administer certain medications. School nurses chiefly deal with minor injuries and acute ailments, but they also support students with chronic illnesses and disabilities—for example, a school nurse may be charged with giving insulin injections to a diabetic student. LPNs can also work as school nurses in some states so long as they’re under the supervision of a registered nurse.
Home healthcare registered nurses are tasked with providing any follow-up care indicated in a patient’s discharge orders that’s beyond the scope of practice of the LPNs and nursing assistants who also work for the home healthcare agency. Home healthcare RNs may also be responsible for supervising LPNs and nursing assistants. |
What Is The Typical Work Schedule For An LPN? | What Is The Typical Work Schedule For An RN? |
There isn’t a lot of difference between LPN vs. RN work schedules. Working hours for both types of nurses depend upon the needs of the facilities where they’re employed. LPNs who work in hospitals and nursing facilities are more likely to work eight-hour shifts than 12-hour shifts because the nature of their work means they’re more likely to be on their feet. The workday at hospitals or nursing facilities that employ large numbers of LPNs tend to be divided into a day shift (7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), a swing shift (3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.) and a night shift (11:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.), and LPNs work all three shifts.
LPNs who work in physician offices or outpatient care clinics work 8-hour shifts as well. Their shifts are staggered during the hours those practices are open, which is usually 9 to 5, on weekdays, some evenings, and possibly on Saturdays. LPNs who do home care through home healthcare agencies work any hours their patients need them. | RNs who work in hospitals are more likely to work 12-hour shifts than LPNs are. Typically, they will work three 12-hour shifts a week. In outpatient care centers, however, RNs will usually work eight-hour shifts unless they’re working in an emergency room that’s affiliated with a medical center where 12-hour shifts for RNs are the norm.
Most nursing care facilities still adhere to the standard of three eight-hour shifts (though a few are shifting to 12-hour shifts). That means if the facility is short-staffed and RNs are asked to do overtime, they will be paid at time and a half per the stipulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
School nurses work school hours, which can vary considerably from school district to school district even within the same state but are usually 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.
RNs who work at home healthcare agencies generally have great leeway over their work schedules. If they work in a supervisory capacity, they typically keep regular office hours; if they see patients, the time they spend driving between patient homes is compensated as well as the time they spend with patients. |
What Are The Most Common Traits Of Successful LPNs? | What Are The Most Common Traits Of Successful RNs? |
It takes a special kind of person to be a successful LPN. If you have the following personality traits, you may have what it takes.
1. Patience: LPNs frequently work more closely with patients than RNs do because LPNs often help patients with intimate activities like bathing and dressing. When people are injured or ill, they often get cranky—and so do their family members. But good LPNs never rise to that bait. A good LPN never says or does anything that may escalate a patient’s stress.
2. Cheerfulness: LPNs must be able to connect with their patients without being bogged down by emotions like anger, anxiety, fear, or depression. This requires emotional stability and a cheerful disposition.
3. Team player: LPNs function as part of a healthcare team that also includes nursing assistants, other LPNs, RNs, and physicians. In the end, though, it’s physicians that are the final arbitrators of decisions involving patients. LPNs must accept that without talking behind the physician’s back or lashing out in other ways. That’s an important part of being a professional.
4. Nonjudgmental: Because of the intimate nature of the work LPNs do with patients, patients will often speak in an unguarded manner around LPNs and may express opinions LPNs don’t agree with. LPNs must never allow their moral judgments to interfere with the care they give.
5. Good communication skills: LPNs interact on a daily basis with a wide range of patients as well as with family members, RNs, physicians, and ancillary healthcare workers. They need to be able to communicate effectively and hear what is being said to them, especially when it comes to patient orders. Communication courses are a routine part of LPN education. | Many of the character traits found in the ideal RN are also traits found in the ideal LPN. Registered nurses with the following personality qualities will have an easier time navigating the fast-paced and ever-changing world of healthcare.
1. Attention to detail: Paying attention to details is critically important for RNs because the consequences can be dire if they give an incorrect dose of medication, incorrectly program an IV pump, or commit another type of careless error. Successful nurses make sure the orders they’re given are followed to the letter.
2. Excellent executive functioning: RNs are frequently charged with juggling 10 different issues at the same time. They must understand how to prioritize these issues and how to apply logic when deciding upon the right solution. This calls for highly developed organizational abilities.
3. Patience: RNs must avoid losing their cool, no matter how stressful the situation they’re dealing with may be. Patience reduces stressful emotions like anger and frustration and can help registered nurses avoid burnout.
4. Empathy: There’s more to patients than their medical status. Empathy is one of the most important qualities that RNs can possess because it’s essential in helping registered nurses maintain dialogues with their patients. Empathy promotes higher rates of patient compliance with medical orders and is correlated with improved patient outcomes.
5. Good communication skills: Every aspect of an RN’s job from taking orders to charting depends upon strong verbal and written communication skills. Good communication skills ensure the continuity of patient care throughout all parts of the healthcare system, and this, in turn, improves patient outcomes. |
What Are The Most Important Skills Required To Work As An LPN? | What Are The Most Important Skills Required To Work As An RN? |
Skills are the specific competencies you’ll need to fulfill the operational tasks your job calls for. At minimum, successful LPNs must be able to demonstrate the following five skills:
1. Motor coordination: An LPN’s work is very physical. An LPN’s motor coordination needs to be up to performing the basic nursing functions the job entails such as lifting and positioning patients, transporting patients, assisting with ambulation, administering injections, and inserting catheters.
2. Clinical expertise: LPNs need to be able to anticipate issues their patients may be facing, using indicators like skin color, respiratory rate, pulse, and blood pressure.
3. Computer skills: The days of written nursing notes are gone forever. These days, all patient records—including nursing notes—are compiled electronically. In every state, an LPN’s scope of practice allows him or her to make entries in a patient’s electronic health record (EHR) although some hospitals and other employers may put some restrictions on the recording process. In any event, LPNs must be comfortable enough using computers to be able to write digital nursing notes.
4. Time management: LPNs with solid time management skills take better care of their patients and are better at avoiding burnout. Strong time management skills will help you prioritize and delegate more effectively, anticipate your patients’ needs and juggle your own life/work balance more competently.
5. Knowledge of medical terminology: Medical terminology is incorporated into the questions on the NCLEX-PN exam, so you will have difficulties passing this exam without a strong working knowledge of medical terminology. More importantly, though, an understanding of medical terminology helps LPNs communicate more productively with physicians, RNs, and other healthcare professionals. | RNs acquire the skills they need to shine in the workplace through a combination of education and occupational experience. Here are five vital competencies that every registered nurse should be able to demonstrate:
1. Assessment: An important difference between LPN vs. RN scope of practice is that LPNs are not allowed to do clinical assessments (although they may contribute to an RN’s clinical assessment.) A nursing assessment is quite distinct from a medical diagnosis: Diagnoses deal with medical conditions; nursing assessments deal with a patient’s response to a medical condition. Accurate patient assessments are one of the most important tasks that registered nurses are called upon to perform.
2. Clinical know-how: RNs must have all the clinical skills that LPNs have and then some. Nursing programs teach registered nurses the fundamentals of working with IVs, phlebotomy, dressing changes, telemetry and peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) care, but most registered nurses gain their actual expertise on the job.
3. Case management: RNs work with many patients on a daily basis. They must develop skills that allow them to juggle multiple patient care plans and sets of physician orders at the same time. Additionally, they must monitor their patients to help ensure all patient needs are met. This is an informal example of case management.
4. Writing a care plan: The nursing care plan is a formal document that describes the types of nursing interventions a patient needs. Nursing care plans help ensure the consistency of patient care when more than one care provider is involved—as is almost always the case in most healthcare practice settings. Nursing care plans also provide a basis for communication among members of the healthcare team.
5. Life-saving protocols: Both LPNs and RNs need to know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but RNs are also required to have basic and advanced training in life-saving protocols such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) so that they can participate effectively in Code Blue situations. |
What Is The Scope Of Practice For An LPN? | What Is The Scope Of Practice For An RN? |
The scope of practice for a licensed practical nurse varies from state to state, but in most states, the key difference between LPN vs. RN scope of practice is that registered nurses are authorized to do nursing assessments while LPNs are not. Since a nursing assessment initiates the data collection process that’s the first step in writing a nursing care plan, this limitation on an LPN’s scope of practice essentially mean that LPNs cannot write nursing care plans—though they can contribute to care plans if an RN or a physician signs off on their contribution. | In most states, the scope of practice for registered nurses is legally defined in the same nurse practice act and administered by the same board of nursing that oversees the scope of practice for licensed practical nurses. (These boards of nursing also oversee licensing requirements.) RNs have a broader scope of practice than LPNs, which reflects their more extensive education. But an employer may restrict an RN’s scope of practice or require specialty certifications before an RN can practice to the full extent of his or her training. |
Does The Scope Of Practice For An LPN Differ From State To State? | Does The Scope Of Practice For An RN Differ From State To State? |
An LPN’s scope of practice varies depending upon the state in which he or she is practicing. Nurse practice acts in most states contain at least a cursory description of an LPN’s scope of practice, but there are no specific laws defining LPN scope of practice in Hawaii, Indiana, Oregon and Vermont, from which it can be inferred that LPNs in those states can perform the functions they were trained to do and that the facility that employs them allows them to do. | Similarly, the services that registered nurses are deemed competent to undertake vary from state to state, but that variation is greatest and has the most significant impact on actual practice when it comes to advanced practice RNs. RNs who live in any of the 34 Nurse Licensure Compact states share the same scope of practice, or their licenses would not be reciprocal. |
What Types Of Educational Options Are There To Become An LPN? | What Types Of Educational Options Are There To Become An RN? |
To become an LPN, you must complete a diploma in practical nursing through an accredited educational program. (Unaccredited programs do exist, but your state board of nursing may choose not to let you take the NCLEX-PN if you graduate from one.) Accredited LPN programs are offered at community colleges, trade schools, and technical schools. Acceptance requires a high school diploma or a GED.
Most LPN diploma programs take a year to complete, but a few can be as short as seven months or as long as 24 months. The curricula include classroom coursework, skills labs, and clinical rotations. Online programs are available, but clinical rotations always require your physical presence. | All three of the educational avenues open to individuals who want to become registered nurses require a high school diploma or a GED.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): ADN programs can be pursued at local community colleges or through online programs associated with colleges and universities. Required coursework varies by school but usually involves the completion of approximately 70 credits that include a liberal arts core curriculum, classes that focus on nursing skills, and clinical rotations.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) believes the BSN prepares RNs for professional careers more thoroughly than the ADN or the nursing diploma. BSN programs can be pursued at colleges and universities through traditional campus classes or through online options. BSN coursework typically requires the completion of 120 credits. In addition to the coursework offered in ADN programs, BSN students also take courses on nursing theory, nurse leadership, public health, pharmacology, and ethics.
• Nursing diploma or certificate: Diploma nursing students take classes and receive clinical training at nursing schools that are affiliated with hospitals or other medical facilities. Their coursework focuses on the practical aspects of nursing care but still prepares them to take the NCLEX-RN. Through the 1960s, most RNs in the U.S. graduated from hospital diploma programs, but fewer than 100 such programs remain today. |
What Is The Minimum Education Required To Become An LPN? | What Is The Minimum Education Required To Become An RN? |
The minimum requirement to become an LPN is a GED or high school diploma plus graduation from a one-year LPN diploma program. LPN diploma programs combine classroom study and supervised clinical practice that typically entails several hundred hours of practice under the oversight of a licensed RN. | The minimum requirement to become an RN is a GED or high school diploma plus graduation from an ADN program. ADN programs typically require one to two years to complete. The ADN curriculum encompasses both coursework and clinical rotations in medical facilities that use licensed RNs as preceptors. |
What Are The Licensure Requirements To Become An LPN? | What Are The Licensure Requirements To Become An RN? |
LPN licensing requirements vary from state to state, but they typically involve graduating from an accredited diploma program and passing the NCLEX-PN. (Note that a few states will license LPNs who have received their nursing training through the military rather than by completing an accredited course of study.) The fee for taking the NCLEX-PN is $200, and the exam utilizes computerized adaptive testing.
You will need your state board of nursing’s permission to sit for the NCLEX-PN, which means you’ll have to turn in your licensing application before the exam takes place. A few states issue temporary licenses that allow LPNs who are waiting to take the exam to work; if they fail to pass the exam, their temporary license is revoked. Most states also do criminal background checks on LPN candidates before issuing licenses. | Different states have different licensing requirements for registered nurses. These unique requirements are detailed in each state’s Nurse Practice Act. License application fees, the length of the application process and the circumstances under which temporary permits are awarded vary from location to location.
In all 50 states, however, you must prove that you’ve graduated from a nursing education program that meets your state board of nursing’s standards before that board of nursing will permit you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The NCLEX-RN feel is $200, and like the NCLEX-PN, it utilizes computerized adaptive testing. Most states also require you to pass a criminal background check before they will issue you a registered nurse license. |
How Much Does It Cost To Become An LPN? | How Much Does It Cost To Become An RN? |
Becoming an LPN can cost you anywhere between $6,000 and $32,000. Tuition is likely to be your largest expense. The tuition for an LPN diploma program ranges from $4,000 to $30,000, depending upon the program you choose. Books, stethoscopes, uniforms and other nursing supplies can easily cost an additional $1,000; the NCLEX-PN, a solid prep course and licensing fees are likely to cost you an additional $1,000. | Becoming an RN can cost you anywhere between $8,000 and $140,000. Once again, the highest expense will be tuition. A significant difference between LPN vs. RN is that RN nursing programs—even the economical ADN degree—are far more expensive than LPN educational programs. You can expect to spend $6,000 if you pursue an ADN through a public community college and up to $30,000 if you pursue an ADN through a vocational school.
Attaining a four-year BSN degree costs considerably more. According to U.S. News & World Report, tuition for four years at a public university will set you back as much as $40,000, while tuition at a private college or university will set you back as much as $135,000. Incidentals such as books, uniforms, nursing supplies, the NCLEX (and a prep class) and your state’s licensing fees are likely to cost another $5,000. |
How Long Does It Take To Become An LPN? | How Long Does It Take To Become An RN? |
Becoming a licensed practical nurse is likely to take you between 18 months and two years. It will take you a year of formal education to earn your LPN certificate diploma. Following that, you’ll spend approximately six months studying for and passing your LPN-PN. Then the board of nursing in the state where you’re applying for licensure may take as long as six months to approve your license application. | Depending upon the length of the nursing program you enroll in, it can take anywhere between two years and five years to become a registered nurse. You can complete an ADN program in as little as 18 months but a BSN program typically takes four years to complete. You’ll need give yourself another six months to study for and pass the NCLEX-RN. (You may not need that long, but the NCLEX-RN is a difficult test, so it’s best to err on the long side here.) And your state board of nursing may take as long as six months to approve your nursing license application. |
How Long Does It Take To Become An LPN? | How Long Does It Take To Become An RN? |
Becoming a licensed practical nurse is likely to take you between 18 months and two years. It will take you a year of formal education to earn your LPN certificate diploma. Following that, you’ll spend approximately six months studying for and passing your LPN-PN. Then the board of nursing in the state where you’re applying for licensure may take as long as six months to approve your license application. | Depending upon the length of the nursing program you enroll in, it can take anywhere between two years and five years to become a registered nurse. You can complete an ADN program in as little as 18 months but a BSN program typically takes four years to complete. You’ll need give yourself another six months to study for and pass the NCLEX-RN. (You may not need that long, but the NCLEX-RN is a difficult test, so it’s best to err on the long side here.) And your state board of nursing may take as long as six months to approve your nursing license application. |
What Are The Continuing Education Requirements For An LPN? | What Are The Continuing Education Requirements For An RN? |
LPNs must renew their nursing licenses every two years. In 12 states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin—LPN license renewal has no continuing education requirement. The continuing education requirement in the other 38 states varies between 15 and 30 continuing education units (CEUs). | Boards of nursing in all states except Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont and Wisconsin require registered nurses to complete a certain number of CEUs whenever they want to renew their nursing licenses. The actual number of CEUs varies from state to state. Additionally, some states stipulate a particular type of CEU: In Delaware, for example, RNs must complete at least three contact hours in the area of substance abuse, while Nevada imposes a one-time bio-terrorism course requirement on both RNs and LPNs. |
What Types Of Specialization Options Are There For An LPN? | What Types Of Specialization Options Are There For An RN? |
Another difference between LPN vs. RN is that LPNs have fewer specialization options open to them. LPN specialty certifications require licensed practical nurses to complete additional coursework, do fieldwork and pass a qualifying examination. Twenty-two specialty certifications exist for licensed practical nurses, but this is only approximately one-sixth of the number of specialty certification options open to registered nurses. The most popular specialty certifications open to LPNs include:
• IV therapy: Most states require this certification before LPNs will be allowed to start intravenous lines or administer IV therapies.
• Wound care: LPNs with three years of clinical experience are eligible to take the national wound care certification examination.
• Hospice and palliative care: This certification gives LPNs additional tools to help people and families who are facing the end of life.
• Long-term care: The majority of LPNs work in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, so this is an extremely useful certification for licensed practical nurses.
• Nephrology: Even when they are IV-certified, LPNs are not allowed to participate in hemodialysis procedures without a nephrology certification. | As noted above, a significant RN vs. LPN distinction is that RNs have 138 certification specializations available to them, while LPNs have just 22. Certifications indicate that a registered nurse has an advanced level of competency in a specific healthcare area. Some of the most popular certifications for registered nurses include:
• Critical care registered nurse (CCRN): The CCRN certification indicates to prospective employers that a registered nurse has the specialized skill set that will allow him or her to practice safely in an intensive care units.
• Oncology certified nurse (OCN): The OCN certification validates an RN’s commitment to superior standards of care when dealing with patients who have cancer.
• Certified emergency nurse (CEN): Nearly 40,000 RNs possess the CEN certification. The CEN validates mastery of a complex body of knowledge and clinical competence across the emergency nursing spectrum.
• Certified plastic surgery nurse (CPSN): This is one of the top certifications available for registered nurses who want to specialize in aesthetic or cosmetic services.
• Legal nurse consultant certified (LNCC): Legal nurse consultants analyze issues related to healthcare delivery that arise during the practice of law. |
What Types Of Career Advancement Opportunities Are There For An LPN? | What Types Of Career Advancement Opportunities Are There For An RN? |
The most popular avenue for career advancement among licensed practical nurses is the pursuit of an RN license. Though demand for LPN services continues to be strong in long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home health agencies, many hospitals and medical centers are moving away from hiring LPNs, so becoming an RN offers LPNs many more employment opportunities.
Attaining an RN license involves completing a registered nursing education program and successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam. Customized programs exist that specialize in helping LPNs attain their RN licenses. Most licensed practical nurses who go this route pursue BSN programs. | Similarly, registered nurses looking for ways to advance their careers often choose to go back to school to earn their Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees. Both degrees allow RNs to become advanced practice RNs (APRN) with an expanded scope of practice. RNs can choose to specialize in clinical care to become nurse practitioners, or they can focus on leadership studies that train them to take on executive healthcare roles.
RNs don’t need to be APRNs in order to climb the executive ladder, though. Many RNs with BSNs are hired as nursing directors, assistant nursing directors and chief nursing officers at medical centers and long-term nursing care facilities. |
What Types Of Professional Organizations Are There For LPNs? | What Types Of Professional Organizations Are There For RNs? |
NALPN is a professional organization for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses with chapters in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The organization was founded in 1949. NALPN offers members access to CEUs and specialty certifications, professional guidance, and networking opportunities. It also offers scholarship opportunities for LPN students. Fees are $100 annually for active members and $65 annually for retired members.
NAPNES offers four types of memberships for LPNs and LVNs, LPN/LVN educators, LPN/LVN students and agencies that work with LPNs and LVNs. It’s essentially an advocacy group that represents LPNs at national conferences, regulatory meetings and high-level hearings where nursing policy is made. Additionally, the organization does original research into issues that affect LPNs and offers discounts on continuing education classes, certification renewals, and professional conferences. Individual memberships are $75 a year while educator memberships are $50 a year. | ASRN publishes four prestigious nursing journals: The Journal of Nursing, The Journal of Advanced Practical Nursing, Nursing Today, and The Chronicle of Nursing. The association has eight levels of membership: full membership, associate membership, student membership, retired membership, disabled membership, international membership, affiliate membership, and organizational membership. All individual membership fees are $50 a year; affiliate memberships are $75 annually while organizational memberships are $300 annually. ASRN sponsors a National Honor Society for nurses and also offers grants, fellowships and scholarships for undergraduate and graduate nursing students.
With more than 163,000 active members, ANA is the premier professional organization for registered nurses in the U.S. ANA advocates on health care issues that affect registered nurses and the general public, and publishes two professional journals: American Nurse Today and The American Nurse. Membership benefits include discounts on continuing education classes, certifications and various types of insurance; networking opportunities; and career development opportunities that vary by state. Individual memberships cost $180 annually.
As its name suggests, NSNA represents the professional interests of more than 60,000 nursing students. It sponsors an annual convention every spring that features keynote speakers, a poster exhibit hall, networking opportunities, and a mini-NCLEX-RN review session. NSNA also sponsors a midyear conference that focuses on career development workshops as well as a summer leadership conference. Dues are $30 a year. |
How Many LPNs Are Currently Employed In The U.S? | How Many RNs Are Currently Employed In The U.S? |
Some 641,240 licensed practical nurses are currently employed in the U.S. Nursing homes and other residential care facilities are the largest employers with more than 243,000 LPNs on their payrolls. Hospitals are the second-largest employers with nearly 90,000 LPN employees.
641,240 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
| A noteworthy difference between LPN versus RN is the distinction between the number of LPN employees and RN employees: 3,047,530 registered nurses are currently employed in the U.S., making RNs the largest group of healthcare professionals in the nation.
3,047,530 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
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How Many Annual Job Openings Are There For LPNs? | How Many Annual Job Openings Are There For RNs? |
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60,700 jobs for licensed practical nurses open up every year. Only 6,380 of those jobs, however, are newly created positions. Some 54,320 of those job openings represent employment vacancies created when LPNs retired, moved away, or quit for some other reason.
New Jobs | Replacement Jobs | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | 6,380 | 54,320 | 60,700 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
| The nursing shortage in the U.S. was greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 194,500 new employment opportunities for RNs open up every year. Of these, 166,820 vacancies represent replacement positions, and 27,680 vacancies represent newly created jobs.
New Jobs | Replacement Jobs | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | 27,680 | 166,820 | 194,500 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
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What Is The 10-Year Job Outlook For An LPN? | What Is The 10-Year Job Outlook For An RN? |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that demand for LPN services will grow by slightly more than 9 percent over the next decade. The growth in LPN employment opportunities is still slower than the estimated growth of the over-65 population, which is projected to be 31 percent. This is significant because the highest demand for LPN services will be in extended nursing care facilities designed to care for the aging population.
Employment in 2020 | Projected Employment in 2030 | Employment Growth (2020-2030) | Number | % | 688,100 | 751,900 | +63,800 | +9.27% | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | Employment opportunities for RNs will grow by 9 percent over the next decade. The demand for RN services will be driven by the high number of retiring RNs and an aging population that will be utilizing higher levels of medical care.
Employment in 2020 | Projected Employment in 2030 | Employment Growth (2020-2030) | Number | % | 3,080,100 | 3,356,800 | +276,800 | +8.99% | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
What Is The Starting Salary Of An LPN? | What Is The Starting Salary Of An RN? |
The starting salary of an LPN is $17.86 an hour, $714 a week, $3,100 a month, or $37,150 a year. The difference between LPN vs. RN starting salaries is one of the factors most evident when you’re trying to decide which career path is the right one for you. Entry-level LPNs make 38 percent less than entry-level RNs.
Hourly | $17.86 | Weekly | $714 | Monthly | $3,100 | Annual | $37,150 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | The starting salary of an RN is $28.58 an hour, $1,143 a week, $4,950 a month, or $59,450 a year. The average entry-level RN salary is 28 percent less than the average RN salary. Hiring and training a new RN can cost anywhere between $22,000 and $64,000, and this salary differential is the employer’s way of trying to recoup some of these onboarding expenses.
Hourly | $28.58 | Weekly | $1,143 | Monthly | $4,950 | Annual | $59,450 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
What Is The Average Salary Of An LPN? | What Is The Average Salary Of An RN? |
The average salary of a licensed practical nurse is $24.93 an hour, $997 a week, $4,320 a month, or $51,850 a year. LPNs typically reach this milestone around their 10th year of employment. The average LPN salary is 8 percent less than $56,310, which—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—is the average salary for all occupations throughout the U.S.
Hourly | $24.93 | Weekly | $997 | Monthly | $4,320 | Annual | $51,850 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | The average salary of an RN is $39.78 an hour, $1,591 a week, $6,900 a month, and $82,750 a year. The average RN salary is 60 percent higher than the average LPN salary because registered nurses have much broader scopes of practice than LPNs, which means they’re far more versatile than RNs in terms of substituting for other types of employees.
Hourly | $39.78 | Weekly | $1,591 | Monthly | $6,900 | Annual | $82,750 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
How Much Will The LPN Salary Grow With Experience? | How Much Will The RN Salary Grow With Experience? |
LPNs with one to four years of experience earn $46,420 annually, which is 25 percent more than what entry-level LPNs earn. LPNs with five to nine years of experience earn $48,410 annually, which is 29 percent more than what entry-level LPNs earn. LPNs with 20 or more years of experience can expect to earn $63,790 annually; while this is 72 percent higher than the average entry-level LPN salary, it is still 23 percent less than the average RN salary.
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual | Entry-Level | $17.86 | $714 | $3,100 | $37,150 | 1-4 Years of Experience | $22.31 | $893 | $3,870 | $46,410 | 5-9 Years of Experience | $23.11 | $924 | $4,010 | $48,070 | 10-19 Years of Experience | $28.74 | $1,149 | $4,980 | $59,770 | 20 Years or More Experience | $30.67 | $1,227 | $5,320 | $63,790 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | Registered nurses with one to four years of experience can expect to take home $59,450 a year on average. With five to nine years of experience, an RN’s salary increases to $61,790 a year on average. Registered nurses with two decades or more of experience make more than twice as much as entry-level RNs; this can be viewed as an incentive employers are offering to delay retirement. The average age of retirement among RNs is 58 years old, but experienced RNs have a lot to contribute, and there are good reasons why employers would prefer to keep them in the workforce.
Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual | Entry-Level | $28.58 | $1,143 | $4,950 | $59,450 | 1-4 Years of Experience | $29.71 | $1,188 | $5,150 | $61,790 | 5-9 Years of Experience | $37.31 | $1,492 | $6,470 | $77,600 | 10-19 Years of Experience | $46.91 | $1,877 | $8,130 | $97,580 | 20 Years or More Experience | $57.81 | $2,313 | $10,020 | $120,250 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
How Many LPNs Are Currently Employed In Your State | How Many RNs Are Currently Employed In Your State? |
Texas, California and Ohio are the three states that have the highest numbers of nursing homes. It’s not surprising, then, that they are among the states with the highest rates of LPN employment since LPNs are primarily employed in long-term care facilities. Alaska is the state where the smallest number of LPNs are employed, and it’s also the state that has the fewest long-term care facilities.
State | Employment | Alabama | 10,400 | Alaska | 480 | Arizona | 6,270 | Arkansas | 10,480 | California | 72,180 | Colorado | 4,690 | Connecticut | 8,350 | Delaware | 2,170 | Florida | 37,740 | Georgia | 21,380 | Hawaii | 980 | Idaho | 2,160 | Illinois | 16,820 | Indiana | 13,630 | Iowa | 5,790 | Kansas | 6,470 | Kentucky | 9,320 | Louisiana | 18,120 | Maine | 1,120 | Maryland | 8,730 | Massachusetts | 15,500 | Michigan | 10,680 | Minnesota | 14,020 | Mississippi | 8,730 | Missouri | 13,620 | Montana | 1,710 | Nebraska | 5,150 | Nevada | 3,610 | New Hampshire | 2,080 | New Jersey | 17,200 | New Mexico | 1,800 | New York | 40,470 | North Carolina | 15,540 | North Dakota | 2,680 | Ohio | 36,480 | Oklahoma | 12,150 | Oregon | 3,520 | Pennsylvania | 36,810 | Rhode Island | 1,100 | South Carolina | 9,270 | South Dakota | 2,040 | Tennessee | 22,780 | Texas | 64,680 | Utah | 1,140 | Vermont | 910 | Virginia | 18,910 | Washington | 7,110 | West Virginia | 6,190 | Wisconsin | 6,480 | Wyoming | 600 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | Although California contains the highest number of professionally active RNs in the U.S., the Golden State actually ranks 50th in the nation in the number of RNs per 100,000 population. Florida historically has been a popular retirement destination, which is why the Sunshine State has such a high number of professionally active RNs. Wyoming is the state where the smallest number of RNs are employed; more than 25 hospitals in the Cowboy State have reported a critical RN staffing shortage.
State | Employment | Alabama | 49,780 | Alaska | 6,060 | Arizona | 57,260 | Arkansas | 26,320 | California | 324,400 | Colorado | 51,680 | Connecticut | 34,320 | Delaware | 11,760 | Florida | 187,920 | Georgia | 78,290 | Hawaii | 11,110 | Idaho | 14,400 | Illinois | 129,260 | Indiana | 66,800 | Iowa | 32,650 | Kansas | 28,980 | Kentucky | 43,540 | Louisiana | 42,870 | Maine | 14,380 | Maryland | 51,550 | Massachusetts | 88,270 | Michigan | 102,480 | Minnesota | 69,000 | Mississippi | 29,140 | Missouri | 69,240 | Montana | 9,640 | Nebraska | 20,660 | Nevada | 24,590 | New Hampshire | 12,890 | New Jersey | 77,980 | New Mexico | 17,030 | New York | 188,300 | North Carolina | 104,810 | North Dakota | 11,810 | Ohio | 129,270 | Oklahoma | 31,510 | Oregon | 37,780 | Pennsylvania | 149,270 | Rhode Island | 10,860 | South Carolina | 46,160 | South Dakota | 14,140 | Tennessee | 62,250 | Texas | 217,630 | Utah | 23,760 | Vermont | 7,210 | Virginia | 66,980 | Washington | 62,470 | West Virginia | 19,800 | Wisconsin | 62,860 | Wyoming | 4,890 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
How Many Annual Job Openings Are There For LPNs In Your State | How Many Annual Job Openings Are There For RNs In Your State? |
California, Texas, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania are the five states that have the highest number of annual job openings for licensed practical nurses. As noted above, these employment vacancies are likely correlated with the high number of long-term care facilities in these states.
State | Annual Job Openings | Alabama | 1,060 | Alaska | 50 | Arizona | 390 | Arkansas | 1,130 | California | 7,440 | Colorado | 600 | Connecticut | 890 | Delaware | 220 | Florida | 4,570 | Georgia | 2,250 | Hawaii | 120 | Idaho | 50 | Illinois | 1,550 | Indiana | 1,400 | Iowa | 680 | Kansas | 610 | Kentucky | 870 | Louisiana | 170 | Maine | 90 | Maryland | 1,280 | Massachusetts | 1,450 | Michigan | 1,150 | Minnesota | 1,580 | Mississippi | 90 | Missouri | 1,360 | Montana | 210 | Nebraska | 540 | Nevada | 80 | New Hampshire | 180 | New Jersey | 1,550 | New Mexico | 200 | New York | 5,250 | North Carolina | 1,550 | North Dakota | 230 | Ohio | 3,510 | Oklahoma | 1,070 | Oregon | 360 | Pennsylvania | 3,690 | Rhode Island | 80 | South Carolina | 990 | South Dakota | 160 | Tennessee | 2,460 | Texas | 6,770 | Utah | 220 | Vermont | 100 | Virginia | 2,000 | Washington | 790 | West Virginia | 520 | Wisconsin | 580 | Wyoming | 50 | (Source: Careeronestop.org) | | California, New York, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania are the five states with the highest number of RN vacancies. They are also states where the nursing shortage is felt most keenly. Two factors are contributing to the RN shortage: the large number of RNs who are hitting retirement age and the greying of the U.S. population (since elderly patients are the highest utilizers of healthcare services.)
State | Annual Job Openings | Alabama | 3,500 | Alaska | 360 | Arizona | 2,110 | Arkansas | 1,850 | California | 23,850 | Colorado | 4,810 | Connecticut | 2,450 | Delaware | 950 | Florida | 14,000 | Georgia | 6,340 | Hawaii | 800 | Idaho | 280 | Illinois | 9,260 | Indiana | 4,750 | Iowa | 2,490 | Kansas | 1,970 | Kentucky | 3,280 | Louisiana | N/A | Maine | 920 | Maryland | 5,150 | Massachusetts | 5,720 | Michigan | 6,620 | Minnesota | 4,900 | Mississippi | 200 | Missouri | 5,530 | Montana | 700 | Nebraska | 1,790 | Nevada | 540 | New Hampshire | 960 | New Jersey | 5,780 | New Mexico | 1,240 | New York | 16,910 | North Carolina | 7,020 | North Dakota | 730 | Ohio | 8,360 | Oklahoma | 2,310 | Oregon | 3,010 | Pennsylvania | 10,510 | Rhode Island | 760 | South Carolina | 2,930 | South Dakota | 910 | Tennessee | 4,290 | Texas | 16,130 | Utah | 2,090 | Vermont | 430 | Virginia | 4,500 | Washington | 5,820 | West Virginia | 1,550 | Wisconsin | 3,600 | Wyoming | 380 | (Source: Careeronestop.org) | |
What Is The 10-Year Job Outlook LPNs In Your State? | What Is The 10-Year Job Outlook RNs In Your State? |
The 10-year job outlook for LPNs is most positive in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New York, and Nevada. In Arizona, for example, the demand for LPNs is projected to grow at more than three times the rate of demand for LPNs throughout the U.S. as a whole. This likely has to do with the popularity of the Grand Canyon State as a retirement destination and the high number of long-term nursing facilities in the state.
State | Job Outlook | Alabama | +5.28% | Alaska | +9.62% | Arizona | +28.96% | Arkansas | +10.72% | California | +15.14% | Colorado | +20.95% | Connecticut | +7.68% | Delaware | +12.77% | Florida | +11.94% | Georgia | +11.89% | Hawaii | +12.90% | Idaho | +20.39% | Illinois | -0.97% | Indiana | +9.61% | Iowa | +14.55% | Kansas | +0.25% | Kentucky | +7.16% | Louisiana | +8.46% | Maine | -0.83% | Maryland | +16.24% | Massachusetts | +2.30% | Michigan | -0.79% | Minnesota | +12.82% | Mississippi | +8.43% | Missouri | +6.64% | Montana | +9.21% | Nebraska | +11.90% | Nevada | +16.88% | New Hampshire | +9.50% | New Jersey | +7.25% | New Mexico | +8.30% | New York | +19.58% | North Carolina | +5.44% | North Dakota | +8.37% | Ohio | +6.61% | Oklahoma | +5.71% | Oregon | +11.89% | Pennsylvania | +12.30% | Rhode Island | 0.00% | South Carolina | +10.17% | South Dakota | +4.69% | Tennessee | +14.22% | Texas | +10.69% | Utah | +16.74% | Vermont | +3.10% | Virginia | +11.77% | Washington | +8.42% | West Virginia | +6.61% | Wisconsin | +0.66% | Wyoming | +6.67% | (Source: Careeronestop.org) | | The job outlook for registered nurses is particularly strong in Colorado, Utah, New York, Georgia, and Maryland. Projected RN growth is high in states like New York with growing numbers of senior citizens. But it’s also high in states like Utah that have burgeoning populations of young adults because as those young adults enter the workforce and begin to raise families, they will consume more and more of the primary care and preventative services that RNs help provide.
State | Job Outlook | Alabama | +10.21% | Alaska | +6.83% | Arizona | +35.01% | Arkansas | +13.51% | California | +16.70% | Colorado | +29.49% | Connecticut | +7.33% | Delaware | +20.02% | Florida | +16.08% | Georgia | +22.49% | Hawaii | +12.22% | Idaho | +19.87% | Illinois | +12.44% | Indiana | +12.43% | Iowa | +15.11% | Kansas | +8.06% | Kentucky | +13.11% | Louisiana | N/A | Maine | +6.53% | Maryland | +21.66% | Massachusetts | +8.20% | Michigan | +9.82% | Minnesota | +12.40% | Mississippi | +6.12% | Missouri | +16.24% | Montana | +10.40% | Nebraska | +11.12% | Nevada | +22.29% | New Hampshire | +12.65% | New Jersey | +11.26% | New Mexico | +11.35% | New York | +24.63% | North Carolina | +10.77% | North Dakota | +16.53% | Ohio | +9.61% | Oklahoma | +9.10% | Oregon | +15.21% | Pennsylvania | +12.50% | Rhode Island | +4.00% | South Carolina | +9.39% | South Dakota | +13.14% | Tennessee | +12.27% | Texas | +16.75% | Utah | +28.15% | Vermont | +7.96% | Virginia | +11.74% | Washington | +20.48% | West Virginia | +14.89% | Wisconsin | +7.76% | Wyoming | +16.17% | (Source: Careeronestop.org) | |
What Is The Starting Salary For LPNs In Your State? | What Is The Starting Salary For RNs In Your State? |
The states where entry-level LPNs earn the highest salaries are clustered in the northeast like Massachusetts ($47,940), Connecticut ($47,260) and New Jersey ($47,270), or on the Pacific coast like California ($47,750), Oregon ($47,670) and Washington ($47,949). Starting salaries for LPNs are lowest in Deep South states like Alabama ($29,390), Mississippi ($35,310), and Louisiana ($36,130).
State | Average Annual Salary | Alabama | $29,390 | Alaska | $46,520 | Arizona | $46,930 | Arkansas | $36,300 | California | $47,750 | Colorado | $45,820 | Connecticut | $47,260 | Delaware | $45,360 | Florida | $36,930 | Georgia | $36,620 | Hawaii | $45,930 | Idaho | $37,110 | Illinois | $45,200 | Indiana | $39,070 | Iowa | $37,120 | Kansas | $36,750 | Kentucky | $36,770 | Louisiana | $36,130 | Maine | $37,030 | Maryland | $46,810 | Massachusetts | $47,940 | Michigan | $46,180 | Minnesota | $45,180 | Mississippi | $35,310 | Missouri | $36,640 | Montana | $36,800 | Nebraska | $37,300 | Nevada | $46,640 | New Hampshire | $46,950 | New Jersey | $47,270 | New Mexico | $37,670 | New York | $38,830 | North Carolina | $37,450 | North Dakota | $37,850 | Ohio | $37,090 | Oklahoma | $36,620 | Oregon | $47,670 | Pennsylvania | $38,470 | Rhode Island | $47,250 | South Carolina | $36,400 | South Dakota | $36,310 | Tennessee | $36,360 | Texas | $37,310 | Utah | $37,170 | Vermont | $46,480 | Virginia | $36,930 | Washington | $47,940 | West Virginia | $32,880 | Wisconsin | $37,850 | Wyoming | $37,990 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | The nursing shortage is a serious crisis throughout most of the U.S., so in most states, entry-level RNs tend to make salaries that are above the average salary for all occupations throughout the U.S. Starting salaries for RNs are highest in Alaska ($77,450), California ($78,070) and Hawaii ($75,380), and lowest in Alabama ($47,390), Mississippi ($47,210), and West Virginia ($47,450).
State | Average Annual Salary | Alabama | $47,390 | Alaska | $77,450 | Arizona | $60,750 | Arkansas | $47,510 | California | $78,070 | Colorado | $60,550 | Connecticut | $61,470 | Delaware | $59,900 | Florida | $49,680 | Georgia | $58,400 | Hawaii | $75,380 | Idaho | $59,640 | Illinois | $59,640 | Indiana | $48,400 | Iowa | $48,290 | Kansas | $47,630 | Kentucky | $48,000 | Louisiana | $48,920 | Maine | $59,640 | Maryland | $60,420 | Massachusetts | $61,180 | Michigan | $60,120 | Minnesota | $60,850 | Mississippi | $47,210 | Missouri | $47,350 | Montana | $60,320 | Nebraska | $55,040 | Nevada | $61,790 | New Hampshire | $59,900 | New Jersey | $70,920 | New Mexico | $60,320 | New York | $61,260 | North Carolina | $51,420 | North Dakota | $59,810 | Ohio | $59,540 | Oklahoma | $47,960 | Oregon | $76,180 | Pennsylvania | $59,640 | Rhode Island | $61,340 | South Carolina | $47,860 | South Dakota | $47,470 | Tennessee | $48,190 | Texas | $59,780 | Utah | $59,640 | Vermont | $59,640 | Virginia | $59,170 | Washington | $74,070 | West Virginia | $47,450 | Wisconsin | $60,060 | Wyoming | $59,650 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |
What Is The Average Salary For LPNs In Your State? | What Is The Average Salary For RNs In Your State? |
LPNs earn their highest average salaries in western states like California ($65,140), Oregon ($60,090), and Washington ($63,250). Employers in Alaska also offer LPNs comparatively high salaries ($63,650), probably as an incentive to make up for the absence of lifestyle amenities in the Last Frontier State. The states where LPNs earn the lowest salaries on average include Alabama ($41,540), Mississippi ($41,530), and West Virginia ($41,310).
State | Average Annual Salary | Alabama | $41,540 | Alaska | $63,650 | Arizona | $57,800 | Arkansas | $43,040 | California | $65,140 | Colorado | $55,360 | Connecticut | $59,440 | Delaware | $53,040 | Florida | $47,860 | Georgia | $47,370 | Hawaii | $53,320 | Idaho | $49,440 | Illinois | $54,080 | Indiana | $51,500 | Iowa | $48,010 | Kansas | $46,550 | Kentucky | $47,140 | Louisiana | $43,900 | Maine | $50,790 | Maryland | $56,380 | Massachusetts | $61,820 | Michigan | $54,090 | Minnesota | $51,160 | Mississippi | $41,530 | Missouri | $46,010 | Montana | $48,300 | Nebraska | $48,040 | Nevada | $60,490 | New Hampshire | $59,140 | New Jersey | $58,590 | New Mexico | $56,040 | New York | $53,750 | North Carolina | $49,210 | North Dakota | $50,130 | Ohio | $48,030 | Oklahoma | $44,910 | Oregon | $60,090 | Pennsylvania | $51,090 | Rhode Island | $59,800 | South Carolina | $46,470 | South Dakota | $41,830 | Tennessee | $43,620 | Texas | $50,220 | Utah | $50,740 | Vermont | $54,180 | Virginia | $48,430 | Washington | $63,250 | West Virginia | $41,310 | Wisconsin | $49,850 | Wyoming | $50,970 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | | Salary is another area where differences between LPN vs. RN are most obvious. California, where the nursing shortage is expected to continue being most acute, tops the list of states where RNs receive the highest average compensation ($124,000). RN salaries are also high in Alaska ($97,230), which is projected to have one of the highest RN vacancy rates. Average RN salaries are lowest in Alabama ($61,920), South Dakota ($60,540), and Mississippi ($63,130).
State | Average Annual Salary | Alabama | $61,920 | Alaska | $97,230 | Arizona | $81,600 | Arkansas | $65,810 | California | $124,000 | Colorado | $80,670 | Connecticut | $88,530 | Delaware | $77,760 | Florida | $72,000 | Georgia | $75,380 | Hawaii | $106,530 | Idaho | $73,640 | Illinois | $78,260 | Indiana | $68,890 | Iowa | $64,990 | Kansas | $66,560 | Kentucky | $67,260 | Louisiana | $70,380 | Maine | $73,630 | Maryland | $82,660 | Massachusetts | $96,630 | Michigan | $75,930 | Minnesota | $84,030 | Mississippi | $63,130 | Missouri | $67,790 | Montana | $73,610 | Nebraska | $69,850 | Nevada | $88,800 | New Hampshire | $78,270 | New Jersey | $89,690 | New Mexico | $77,590 | New York | $93,320 | North Carolina | $71,200 | North Dakota | $71,200 | Ohio | $71,640 | Oklahoma | $68,180 | Oregon | $98,630 | Pennsylvania | $76,000 | Rhode Island | $85,270 | South Carolina | $69,580 | South Dakota | $60,540 | Tennessee | $66,680 | Texas | $79,120 | Utah | $72,790 | Vermont | $75,160 | Virginia | $76,680 | Washington | $95,350 | West Virginia | $67,640 | Wisconsin | $76,850 | Wyoming | $73,130 | (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |