Difference between PN and RN
Practical nurses and registered nurses both work in different healthcare settings and provide safe and effective care to the patients.
Practical nurse (PN)
This position requires education in a 12-18 month program that has been approved by the state. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which you must pass to begin your career as an PN.
Registered practical nurse (RN)
RNs must have completed a two-year associate’s degree program in nursing, while employers are increasingly requiring four-year bachelor’s degrees. Furthermore, RNs have to pass the NCLEX exam, and many choose to obtain further certification in a specialty.
Scope of practice
Practical nurse (PN)
PNs provide basic and essential care to the patients. They help patients in performing their daily activities and also perform various duties like monitoring patients vitals, taking care of wounds, and administering medications. They provide care to the patients under the administration of registered nurses or physicians.
Registered practical nurse (RN)
Registered nurses work in healthcare settings and perform complex procedures. They can develop patient care plans and also make decisions about patient care procedures. They supervise PNs in providing safe and effective care to the patients.
Work environment
Practical nurse PN
Practical nurses work in long-term facilities and nursing homes. They can also serve in outpatient clinics and hospitals but their role is limited as compared to RNs.
Registered practical nurse (RN)
Registered nurses work in hospitals and clinics. They provide comprehensive care to the patients.
Can an RN apply for an PN position?
Registered nurses can apply to work as PNs. There are some reasons, such as seeking employment in a challenging job market, desiring less responsibility, or preferring a specific work setting where PNs are more commonly employed. These are the reasons a registered nurse may want to work as a practical nurse. There are some legal and ethical points to consider when applying for an PN position, such as licensing and practice issues and the employer’s expectations and regulations.
Why might an RN apply for an PN position?
There are several reasons an RN may want to work as an PN.
Job availability
There are some regions where there is a shortage of RN positions. In this case, RNs may want to apply as PNs and start working rather than being unemployed. Some healthcare facilities such as long-term facilities, and outpatient clinics, have more requirements for PNs. That’s why an RN can apply as an PN and serve patients in these healthcare facilities.
Personal circumstances
One major reason due to which RNs may want to work as PNs is personal commitments. PNs often do less stressful and hectic work and have fewer responsibilities as compared to RNs. RNs are mostly dealing with complex and stressful situations. They need to provide their proper attention and time while working. So, by working as an PN, RNs can maintain a good work-life balance and can also fulfil their personal commitments.
Career transition or downtime
An PN position could be a temporary alternative for an RN who is changing jobs or taking a break from their career. This allows them to balance other personal or professional commitments with their continued involvement in nursing practice.
Burnout and stress
RNs often work in stressful and demanding situations. They have more responsibilities, and they work in long shifts, which can cause burnout and stress. They also have to make decisions about patient care and they have to deal with emergency situations. RNs may find these responsibilities very stressful and physically and emotionally demanding. Therefore, a shift into an PN role can be a good option for RNs to avoid stress and burnout and perform better in their field.
Challenges and considerations
Registered nurses can work as practical nurses, but there are challenges that are needed to be considered such as :
- Overqualification: some employers may find RNs overqualified for an PN role as they have more knowledge and skills. They also have more experience than PNs.
- Salary differences: PNs are paid less than RNs. So when RNs decide to make a shift in their role as an PN, they should keep this point in mind. Most employers could be reluctant to recruit the RN for an PN position as they think that the RN will expect an RN-level salary.
Conclusion
RNs can work as an PN and can perform their duties in healthcare facilities, but there are also some challenges that come in between while making a shift in the role as an PN. There are some reasons a registered practical nurse may want to work as a practical nurse, such as seeking employment in a challenging job market, desiring less responsibility, or preferring a specific work setting.