When deciding how best to approach a nursing career, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the options. How much schooling do you actually need? And how soon can you join a healthcare team to start caring for patients?
These questions often lead people to wonder about the difference between ADN vs. LPN degrees.
Below, we’ll unpack the difference between ADN and LPN nursing programs and career options after graduation. Read on!!
ADN vs. LPN: The Basics
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) are two distinct entry-level nursing credentials, each with separate educational requirements and career prospects. While both serve as foundational roles within the nursing field, they differ significantly in scope of practice, depth of education, and potential career opportunities.
Briefly, an ADN is a two-year degree program that prepares individuals for a broad range of nursing responsibilities, often leading to roles in hospitals, clinics, or specialized units.
An LPN degree typically requires a shorter training period and focuses on basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. They are often found in long-term care facilities or outpatient settings.
Understanding these differences in an ADN vs. LPN degree is essential for nurses as they chart their career paths within the healthcare profession.
Education requirements
An ADN degree usually requires two years of education in various areas, including courses like Pharmacology, Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Psychology, and Nursing Philosophy.
Clinical rotations across multiple healthcare settings provide hands-on experience for academic understanding. Students can also take general education classes in math, physics, and social studies, which will improve their broad skill set and knowledge of patient care.
On the other hand, LPN degree training can be finished through diploma or certificate programs in a shorter time—typically a year. These programs address foundational concepts like anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and drug administration, emphasizing practical nursing skills and primary patient care.
Clinical experiences are also included in both types of programs to support the development of practical skills. Compared to ADN schools, LPN programs often have fewer general education requirements and place more emphasis on the core abilities necessary for practical nursing positions.
Scope of practice
ADN-trained nurses enjoy a broad scope of practice. They can assess patients, devise care plans, administer medications, and deliver treatments under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians. This flexibility allows them to work across various settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health centers. ADN nurses also have opportunities to specialize in critical care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health, furthering their impact.
In contrast, LPNs operate within a more limited scope of practice, primarily providing primary nursing care under the supervision of RNs or physicians. Their responsibilities typically include recording vital signs, collecting patient data, administering medications (often under RN supervision), conducting wound care, and assisting with personal hygiene. Despite these limitations, LPNs play a vital role in the healthcare team, particularly in nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, physician’s offices, and clinics, where their contributions are essential to patient care.
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Career opportunities
Completing an ADN degree opens the door to becoming a registered nurse (RN) upon passing the NCLEX-RN exam. This provides access to various career opportunities across diverse healthcare settings. ADNs also have the option to advance their careers with higher education, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, for specialized nursing roles or leadership positions within the field. An ADN in nursing can explore opportunities for career growth through certifications in critical care, pediatrics, or gerontology, enhancing their expertise within the nursing profession.
Conversely, LPNs usually work in environments such as medical offices or assisted living facilities, where RNs or doctors largely supervise them. Although LPNs are essential to providing patient care, their career options are somewhat restricted when contrasted with those of ADNs.
However, LPNs can investigate opportunities for development by pursuing additional schooling to become Registered Nurses (RNs) or by obtaining extra training or certifications to specialize in particular nursing care areas. LPNs should also consider positions in specialized fields like long-term care or intravenous therapy to broaden their career options and improve their value in healthcare.
Salary differences
Because of their higher level of education and more comprehensive range of practice, ADNs typically earn higher wages than LPNs. The average yearly compensation for ADNs in the US is usually around $81,220. And while income differs based on region, years of experience, specialization, employer, and other elements, ADNs frequently have greater specialization and career growth options, which impacts their earning potential.
On the other hand, LPNs’ salaries are lower than ADNs’ due to their shorter training period and narrower scope of practice. The median annual wage for LPNs in the United States is $54,620.
Similar to ADNs, LPN salaries can vary based on geographic location, experience level, type of healthcare facility, and any additional certifications or specializations. Despite lower wages, LPNs are a popular way to join the workforce quickly and provide patient care, particularly in long-term and outpatient care facilities.
Licensure and certification
Upon completing an ADN degree, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam necessary to become a licensed RN. While completing additional certifications is optional, graduates can showcase expertise and proficiency in specific areas of nursing practice, increasing career options and opportunities for advancement.
Similarly, graduates of LPN programs qualify to take the NCLEX-PN exam in the US —or REx-PN in Canada—which leads to licensure as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). While LPNs may pursue additional certifications, they are less common than those available for registered nurses. Certification can strengthen skills and knowledge in specific nursing care areas, potentially opening doors to specialized professional roles.
The Difference Between ADN vs. LPN
Aspiring nurses must comprehend the difference between ADN vs. LPN to successfully navigate their healthcare industry professional pathways. Both jobs are fundamental to patient care, but they are very different in terms of training, practice area, prospects for advancement, and income.
An ADN in nursing gives graduates access to a wide range of nursing responsibilities and professional progression prospects since they complete a more extensive educational program. In contrast, LPNs complete their training more quickly and can provide basic nursing care while operating under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse.
Despite these differences, LPNs and ADNs are respected healthcare team members who are critical in providing high-quality patient care. Whichever route a student takes—RN or ADN—both provide rewarding chances to improve patient outcomes and advance the nursing profession.