What is the difference between a Registered Nurse (RN), a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
A Registered Nurse has completed a 2 or 4 year degree program in Nursing. RNs work in offices, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc, to deliver patient care, and promote health education. Licensed Practical Nurses have less didactic preparation, and do direct patient care. In New Mexico, Nurse Practitioners are independent health care providers. Their initial education and licensure is as an RN. After receiving advanced preparation in physical assessment, diagnosis and treatment, Nurse Practitioners are certified in specialty fields (such as Family Practice, Pediatrics, Emergency Room), as are physicians. In New Mexico, NPs have full prescriptive privileges.
