Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Registered Professional Nurse
"Registered professional nurse" shall mean the performance for compensation of any service requiring substantial specialized judgement and skill based on knowledge and application of principles of nursing derived from biological, physical and social sciences, such as responsible supervision of a patient requiring skill in observation of symptoms and reactions and the accurate recording of facts, or the supervision and teaching of other persons with respect to such principles of nursing, or in the administration of medications and treatments as prescribed by a licensed physician or a licensed dentist, or the application of such nursing procedures as involve understanding of cause and effect in order to safeguard life and health of a patient and others. (Code of WV 30-7-1)
Advanced Practice Nurse
A registered professional nurse at a level which requires substatnial theoretical knowledge in a specialized area of nursing practice and proficient clinical utilization of the knowledge in implementing the nursing process. The competencies of specialists include but are not limited to the ability to assess, conceptualize, diagnose, analyze, plan, implement, and evaluate complex problems related to health.
Licensed Practical Nurse
"Practical nursing" means the perfromance for compensation of selected nursing acts in the care of the ill, injured or infirm under the direction of a registered professional nurse or licensed physician or licensed dentist, and not requiring the substantial specialized skill, judgment and knowledge required in professional nursing. (Code of WV 30-7A-1)