LPN Certificates vs. Nursing Associate Degrees: How They Differ?
Nursing is the largest health profession in the nation. Nursing professionals include Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), among others. According to the 2017 National Nursing Workforce Survey, RNs make up 3.8 million of them, and approximately 33% have an Associate Degree in Nursing or ADN.
At the same time, the industry employs over 906,471 LPN nurses. They are becoming more prevalent as baby-boomers age and develop health problems. LPNs and ADNs are very similar yet unique.
Both types of nurses contribute to the health industry and are in high demand. If you have considered nursing as a career, which path should you take? This article will explain the differences between LPN and ADN to help you decide which one may be appropriate for you.
What is an LPN certificate?
Is LPN an associate's degree? No. It is a practical nursing diploma, an attractive option due to its short curriculum. It will not take long to complete the program, receive certificates, and take the licensing exam.
LPN certificates allow LPNs (sometimes called Licensed Vocational Nurses) to work in the field while earning more money. LPNs can transition to RNs through an accredited program after having experience in practical nursing. Some schools offer bridge programs that allow LPNs to take an additional year to become ADN.
An LPN certificate is great for students who want a quick program that prepares them to start getting paid for working in the medical field right away, without an extensive schooling period.
Enrollment requirements for LPN students are generally lower. People with these certificates will typically only be assisting doctors and nurses, whereas RNs provide direct care to patients on their own.
The experience LPN students get while assisting medical professionals will put them a step ahead of other students should they decide to invest in a more extended education program for the future of their career.
What is an Associate Degree in Nursing?
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a degree that helps students obtain essential clinical skills and knowledge to prepare them for a future job in the nursing field.
ADN is an undergraduate nursing degree typically done in two years, though some programs can be shorter.
Students who have an ADN can take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required to become a Registered Nurse (RN).
Because of the short program’s length, ADN is seen as a quick way to become a registered nurse and get on-the-job training. Other RN education degrees can take four years to complete, so ADNs can use that saved time to earn money in their field.
You can always take another more advanced RN preparation program like a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) later when you feel you are in a better position.
ADN vs LPN: Main Differences
There are similarities and differences between ADNs and LPNs. Differences include skills, pay, and length of education. Both nursing programs allow students to learn while holding a job and raising a family. Let's take a look at the differences in ADN vs LPN.
Curriculum
Each school has its requirements for training for students but must follow state regulations. The length of the program also varies for LPN and ADN.
LPN students usually attend a practical nursing program at a community college. Courses in most LPN programs include Nutrition, Anatomy/Physiology, Human Health and Diseases, and Practical Nursing. As part of the curriculum, the students must complete many in-classroom and clinical hours in a facility.
Other institutions, including technical schools and hospitals, may offer LPN training. Students who enroll in an RN program can get their LPN licenses after completing certain classes in the program, usually by the third semester.
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On the other hand, before entering an ADN program, students must take prerequisites, including biology, psychology, anatomy, chemistry, and liberal arts classes.
The associate degree in nursing program is four semesters of comprehensive education with nursing courses, labs, and clinical rotations in medical facilities. What makes a two-year program effective in preparing its students is the type of curriculum it entails, which includes:
Introduction to Nursing,
Health Assessments,
Med/Surg,
Pediatric,
Psychiatric,
Maternal/Newborn.
It also focuses on community nursing and hands-on training on campus, in hospitals, and clinics. Nurses with an ADN receive as much knowledge to pass the NCLEX-RN test as bachelor’s degree students.
Program’s length
Most LPN programs last about one year and can be done online or in-campus. ADN students go through a two-year nursing program to earn an associate's degree.
Program’s costs
The average LPN program can cost between $4,000 and $10,000 per year. That cost will vary on location and type of institution, and most will offer financial aid for students who qualify.
ADN program costs vary depending on the type of college. The tuition is in addition to the cost of books, supplies, uniforms, and any equipment necessary for clinical rotations. Tuitions can range from $500 and up per course credit. Qualifying students can take out loans to help pay for education.
License
All nurses must demonstrate competency and safe practice in healthcare settings.
After graduating from an accredited nursing program, all nurses must take a licensure exam to receive their credentials. These exams are expensive and lengthy and test knowledge, skills, and abilities.
LPNs and RNs take different exams. After passing the NCLEX-PN, the LPN board exam, students will receive their Practical Nursing license. At the same time, ADN students must ace the NCLEX-RN test to become Registered Nurses.
Career Differences Between LPN and ADN
When choosing a career path in nursing, know that there are differences between training to become and working as an LPN or an ADN graduate. Below we will discuss the LPN vs ADN career differences.
Credentials
LPNs earn a practical nursing diploma and become Licensed Practical Nurses. ADNs are associate-degree nurses who make the title of Registered Nurse.
Salary
As of 2020, the average salary of an LPN was around $48,820 per year, depending on the location and job.
LPNs' pay may increase as they gain more experience. LPNs have a projected 10-year experience growth of 16%, which means their base salary will increase by 16% as they gain years of experience.
Gaining experience in the nursing field will dramatically affect your starting or current salary and is essential to consider when choosing which nursing program you want to enroll in.
By contrast, ADN graduates earn an annual salary of $67,019. However, experienced registered nurses with an ADN can earn up to $136,000 annually. This number will vary per state and institution. Larger cities may offer higher salaries and other incentives. For example, RNs with an ADN degree in New York earn $73,511 per year.
The 10-year experience growth of RNs with an ADN degree is around 16%, so you will gain progressively more money as you gain years of experience.
Career outlook
The LPN profession is growing, and experts predict that it will continue to increase at an average growth rate. According to BLS, during the 2020-2030 period, LPNs will enjoy a 9% job growth rate. The growth means more than 688,100 new jobs will be added to the market. The demand for Licensed Practical Nurses will increase due to the aging population and the need for long-term care. Besides, you can take various career paths with an LPN certificate.
Within the next ten years, jobs for people with ADNs will increase by about 9% too. Roughly 27,680 employment opportunities will become available every year due to positions opening after people retire.
As RNs with ADNs can work in entities such as hospitals, clinics, home health, nursing homes, schools, and the military. Healthcare specialties they occupy are pediatrics, hospice, surgery, labor and delivery, psychiatry, public health, and other areas.
Final Thoughts
Each program has its purpose and offers something for a busy adult who dreams of becoming a nurse. The main differences between the credentials are the length of education, type of certificate, and salary. They are similar in basic knowledge of the human body and nursing skills.
LPN programs are ideal for students who want to practice nursing but do not have time to spend two years in school or are on a budget.
An ADN nursing program offers the option to become a registered nurse in less than four years at an affordable expense. There are financial aid options available for students who qualify.
LPNs can bridge over into an ADN program later on, while ADNs are eligible to earn bachelor's degrees.