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Every aspiring nurse faces a pivotal decision at the start of their career: Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse? A registered nurse (RN) requires more extensive education and can perform a wider range of medical tasks. A licensed practical nurse (LPN), on the other hand, has more limited responsibilities and requires less training.
To that end, you have NCLEX PN vs NCLEX RN vs RExPN. All are crucial nursing licensing exams, which dictate career trajectories with nursing. While both paths offer patient care opportunities, significant differences exist in scope, education, and professional responsibilities.
Through this blog, I’ll differentiate between the two and help you understand how FBNPC aids with an NCLEX prep course. Let’s begin.
NCLEX RN vs NCLEX PN vs RExPN: Comparison
| Feature | NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse – U.S. & Canada) | NCLEX-PN (Licensed Practical Nurse – U.S.) | REx-PN (Registered Practical Nurse – Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope of Practice | Comprehensive: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, evaluation | Focused: implementing care plans under RN or physician supervision | Focused: implementing care plans under RN or physician supervision |
| Education Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) or Associate Degree (ADN) | Diploma/Certificate (12–18 months) | Diploma (2-year program in Canada) |
| Exam Emphasis | Critical thinking, clinical judgment, comprehensive patient care | Practical nursing skills, basic care | Practical nursing skills, basic care |
| Patient Complexity | Complex, unstable, critically ill patients | Stable patients with predictable outcomes | Stable patients with predictable outcomes |
| Medication Administration | All medications, including IV and blood products | Most medications; some IV/blood products restricted | Most medications; some IV/blood products restricted |
| Leadership & Supervision | Supervises LPNs/RPNs and other healthcare team members | Works under RN or physician supervision | Works under RN or physician supervision |
| Assessment Skills | Comprehensive assessments | Basic targeted assessments | Basic targeted assessments |
| Care Planning | Develops and modifies comprehensive care plans | Implements existing care plans | Implements existing care plans |
| Critical Thinking | High level, independent decision-making | Protocol-based decision-making | Protocol-based decision-making |
| Salary Potential | Higher | Moderate (less than RN) | Moderate (less than RN) |
| Career Advancement | Advanced practice, leadership, education | Limited specialization or supervisory roles | Limited specialization or supervisory roles |
| Exam Content | Advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, nursing theory | Fundamental practical nursing knowledge | Fundamental practical nursing knowledge |
| Number of Questions | 85–150 | 85–150 | 90–150 |
| Exam Duration | 5 hours | 5 hours | 4 hours |
All three of these exams utilize Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), adjusting question difficulty based on candidate responses.
Overview of NCLEX-RN
The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is a standardized exam that individuals must pass to become licensed registered nurses (RNs) in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Purpose
The primary purpose of NCLEX-RN is to determine if a candidate possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level RN practice. The exam safeguards the public by ensuring that only competent individuals are granted RN licenses.
Exam Format
The NCLEX-RN uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the candidate’s performance. If you answer a question correctly, the next question will be more challenging, and vice versa.
Here are a few highlights of the exam:
- Duration: Maximum of 5 hours.
- Question Count: 85–150.
- Question Types: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, drag-and-drop.
Content Areas
The exam covers four major client needs categories:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
If you are looking to pass the NCLEX-RN with flying colors, get our NCLEX Prep program. Our experts understand the skills and expertise required to be a registered nurse and ensure the best efforts for the same.
Overview of NCLEX-PN
The NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses) is a crucial exam for those aspiring to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).
Purpose
The primary goal of the NCLEX-PN is to determine if a candidate possesses the essential knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective entry-level practical nursing care. It’s a standardized exam required for licensure as an LPN/LVN in the United States and Canada.
The exam ensures that only qualified individuals are permitted to practice practical nursing, thus safeguarding the public.
Exam Format
Like the NCLEX-RN, the NCLEX-PN utilizes CAT, adapting the difficulty of questions based on the candidate’s performance. Candidates can expect various question formats, including multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, and hot spot questions.
Here are a few highlights of the exam:
- Duration: Maximum of 5 hours.
- Question Count: 85–150.
- Question Types: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot.
Content Areas
The exam assesses knowledge in areas such as:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
If you want to excel at the NCLEX-PN with flying colors, get our NCLEX program. Our experts understand the skills and expertise required to be a registered nurse and ensure the best efforts for the same.
Overview of RExPN
The REx-PN, or Regulatory Examination – Practical Nurse, is a crucial licensing exam for individuals seeking to practice as Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario, Canada, and as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in British Columbia, Canada.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the REx-PN is to assess whether candidates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and judgment to provide safe and effective entry-level practical nursing care. It ensures that only competent individuals are granted licensure to practice as RPNs/LPNs.
The exam contributes to patient safety by ensuring that newly licensed practical nurses meet the required competency standards.
Exam Format
The REx-PN utilizes CAT, which adapts the difficulty of questions based on the candidate’s performance. This format ensures that the exam accurately measures each candidate’s ability level.
Here are a few highlights of the exam:
- Duration: Maximum of 4 hours.
- Question Count: 90–150.
- Question Types: Multiple-choice, multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot.
Content Areas
The REx-PN assesses candidates’ knowledge and skills in the following key areas:
- Safe and Effective Care Environment
- Health Promotion and Maintenance
- Psychosocial Integrity
- Physiological Integrity
Essentially, the REx-PN is designed to evaluate a candidate’s readiness. It checks if you can provide safe and competent practical nursing care in entry-level positions.
Is NCLEX-PN Harder Than NCLEX-RN?
When comparing the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN, it’s not simply a matter of one being “harder” than the other. They test different levels of nursing knowledge and skills.
NCLEX-PN focuses on practical nursing skills and the ability to provide basic patient care under supervision. It emphasizes the application of established care plans and procedures.
NCLEX-RN, on the other hand, focuses on a broader scope of nursing practice, including critical thinking, complex decision-making, and the ability to manage and lead care.
It requires a deeper understanding of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory.
Therefore, it is generally considered to be the more complex of the two exams.
NCLEX RN vs NCLEX PN: Salary & Career Outlooks
A significant salary gap exists between RNs and LPNs/LVNs, primarily due to differences in education, scope of practice, and responsibilities.
Registered Nurses
RNs, requiring more extensive education (ADN or BSN), command higher wages. Their broader skill set allows them to manage complex patient cases, administer advanced treatments, and lead care teams, justifying their increased compensation.
Salary
RNs generally earn a significantly higher salary compared to LPNs, reflecting their advanced education and broader scope of practice.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for registered nurses was $86,070, according to last-checked statistics. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors like location, experience, education, and specialization.
Career Outlook
The job outlook for RNs is very positive. The BLS projects that employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
Licensed Practical Nurses
Although licensed practical nurses earn less than RNs, the LPNS still have promising career outlooks.
Salary
LPNs/LVNs typically earn less than RNs. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $59,730 per year, according to last checked statistics.
Career Outlook
The job outlook for LPNs/LVNs is also positive, though the growth rate may differ from that of RNs. LPNs/LVNs are in demand in various settings, including nursing homes, home healthcare, and clinics.
While LPN’s have less advancement opportunities than RN’s, they are still a very important part of the healthcare team.
Ultimately, the salary difference reflects the varying levels of expertise and autonomy. RNs’ ability to handle intricate medical situations and make independent clinical judgments justifies their higher compensation, while LPNs/LVNs provide essential, yet more limited, care.
FAQs on NCLEX RN vs NCLEX PN
Q.1) Which exam should I take to practice as an RPN in Canada?
In Canada, you must take the NCLEX-RN to become a Registered Nurse (RN). For Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs), the licensing exam is the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE), not the NCLEX-PN.
Q.2) Which exam is required for LPN licensure in the U.S.?
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the U.S., you must pass the NCLEX-PN. For Registered Nurses (RNs), the NCLEX-RN is required.
Q.3) Can RPNs in Canada upgrade to RN later?
Yes, RPNs can upgrade to RN by completing a bridging program and passing the NCLEX-RN. Additional education (usually a Bachelor of Science in Nursing) is typically required.
Q.4) What are the career advancement opportunities for LPNs/LVNs?
LPNs/LVNs can advance by specializing (e.g., geriatrics, pediatrics) or pursuing roles like charge nurse. Some transition to RN through LPN-to-RN programs.
Q.5) What are the career advancement opportunities for RNs?
RNs have broader options, including specializations (ICU, ER), advanced practice roles (NP, CRNA), leadership (nurse manager), or education (clinical instructor).
Q.6) Do both exams use the same question formats?
Yes, both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN use adaptive testing with multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and other interactive formats. The RN exam covers more complex scenarios.
Final Summary
Choosing between the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN hinges on your desired career trajectory and educational commitment. While both paths offer rewarding opportunities in nursing, they diverge significantly.
The NCLEX-RN prepares you for a broader, more autonomous role, managing complex patient needs and leading care teams. Conversely, the NCLEX-PN focuses on providing essential care under supervision, offering a quicker entry into the field.
Ultimately, your decision should align with your long-term goals and the level of responsibility you seek. For any more queries, connect with us today!
