What is the difference between RN and RPN?
This is a very common question asked by many potential students. Registered Practical Nurses (RPN) are independent practitioners who have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment to provide care to clients with stable or predictable outcomes. Clients with predictable outcomes are those in rehabilitative, long-term and acute care and community settings. The RPN is expected to use judgment and critical thinking to determine whether the client’s condition is changing and collaborate with the Registered Nurse (RN) before proceeding with care. The RPN may also delegate to and demonstrate leadership with unregulated health care providers in long-term care settings. RN’s are also independent practitioners who have the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment to provide care to clients who are unstable and have unpredictable outcomes. Many patients in emergency, coronary care units (CCU) and intensive care units (ICU) typically have a higher acuity of illness and are termed unstable. F
