What is the difference between and RN and a PN?

RPN stands for Registered Practical Nurse. This is a term used in the province of Ontario. In other provinces it can mean Registered Psychiatric Nurse, which is something else altogether.In the other provinces the term LPN is used instead of RPN for a Practical Nurse.

If you are asking about RPNs in Ontario, they differ from RNs in length of education and scope of practice.RPNs attend school for 2-2.5 years and RNs have a 4 year BSN degree.There are some RNs that have a 2 year diploma but in most of the Canadian provinces BSN is now the minimum requirement for an RN license and 2 year diploma programs do not exist any more. RPNs can perform most of the same duties than an RN can with some exceptions. RPNs can not push IV meds or hang blood or access PICC lines. RPNs do not advance to management roles. PNs do not work in the ICU.The scope of practice for Practical Nurses varies from facility to facility and from province to province.