Which Type Nurse Should You Become: LPN or RN?

In my state, an LPN can audit Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS); but, that is relatively meaningless since it can't be incorporated into trauma care.

Which type nurse should you become; RN or LPN (LVN in Texas and California)?

Since I am an Alabama nurse, I can only address the differences in this state; but, I would think they would be comparative nationally.

The LPN is directed by an RN or Physician and performs many duties. However, they are indeed limited. For instance, starting an IV requires specialized training. Trauma work is pretty much excluded.

It is my experience that LPN's mostly administer medications and are involved in direct patient care on a hospital floor. They may also assist in treatments, remove sutures, change dressings, etc.

In a Nursing Home setting, the LPN can function as a charge nurse and direct nursing assistants and manage the entire floor. They are also responsible for giving treatments, hanging IV's and feeding bags, inserting Foley catheters. LPN's spend at least a 12 month training period.

RN's, on the other hand, have the sky as the limit. They may choose to be an associate degree RN, achieve a masters degree in various specialties such as Nurse Practictioner, Midwife, Nurse Anesthesiologist; or, even a doctorate degree in nursing.

RN's are the key with the physician in trauma care. They can triage cases, administer direct IV infusions, obtain and utilize ACLS certification, supervise an entire nursing floor, such as surgical, general medicine, OB/GYN, etc.

RN's can also choose a traveling career, in that they can travel across the country and fill in for shortages for a limited period of time. RN's are paid well and traveling nurses are paid even better; sometimes with bonus incentives included.