Registered Nurse vs Licensed Practical Nurse.
Being a Licensed Practical Nurse for sixteen years was extremely exciting and rewarding for me. I have enjoyed being a caregiver to those who are sick. Nursing is regarded as a respected and admired profession. I've always admired and looked up to nurses. In 1988, my sister-in-law was starting Jones County Junior College and she asked me if I would consider attending with her. So together we chose the Practical Nursing Program. When I think back on my decision, I wish I had chosen the Associate Degree Program because a Registered Nurse has more advantages and opportunities than a Licensed Practical Nurse.
The nursing programs at Jones County Junior College are different in many ways. The Practical Nursing Program requires an A.C.T. score of sixteen. It is a vocational program, which requires no prerequisites and can be completed in one year. The nursing instructors teach subjects such as Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, and Mental Health. These classes receive no college credits. The Associate Degree Nursing requires an A.C.T. of eighteen and takes approximately two years to complete. This program consists of nursing and non-nursing courses that grant college credits. The clinical training of these two programs is similar. The clinical courses are taught in various health care facilities such as hospitals, doctor's offices, and skilled nursing facilities. .
The demand for nurses in Mississippi and across the United States is extremely high. With the population growing and people living longer, nurses are needed in every field of medicine. Registered Nurses have more advantages and opportunities. They can choose to work in various fields of medicine and are able to work in specialized areas of the hospital such as the Emergency Room, Operation Room, Critical Care Unit, and Intensive Care Unit. In the hospital the Licensed Practical Nurses work mainly under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.