If you want a nursing career, the first big fork is LPN or RN — licensed practical nurse or registered nurse. They share a profession but differ in how long you train, what you can do, and what you earn. One gets you working in about a year; the other pays more but takes longer and costs more. Here’s the honest comparison, with the numbers.
At a Glance
| LPN / LVN | Registered Nurse (RN) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training | ~1 year, state-approved program | 2-year associate (ADN) or 4-year bachelor’s (BSN) |
| Entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Bachelor’s degree (typical) |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-RN |
| 2024 median pay | $62,340 | $93,600 |
| Scope | Basic care under supervision | Full assessment, care planning, supervision |
Sources: BLS — LPN/LVN and BLS — Registered Nurses.
Training Time and Cost
This is the biggest practical difference.
An LPN completes a state-approved program that typically takes about one year, at a community college or technical school, per BLS. It’s a postsecondary nondegree award (a certificate or diploma) — lower tuition, faster to a paycheck.
An RN typically holds a bachelor’s degree, per BLS, though many enter through a 2-year associate degree in nursing (ADN). Either way it’s a longer, more expensive road — two to four years — covering deeper clinical science, assessment, and care coordination.
Both paths end in a national licensing exam: the NCLEX-PN for practical nurses and the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses.
Scope of Practice
LPNs provide basic medical care — monitoring vital signs, basic patient care and comfort, changing bandages, and reporting to RNs and physicians, per BLS. In some states, LPNs with proper training can give medications or start IV drips; the exact scope is set by each state.
RNs work at a higher level: full patient assessment, developing and coordinating care plans, performing more complex procedures, and supervising LPNs and other staff. LPNs typically work under the supervision of RNs and doctors.
If you’re brand new to healthcare, many people start even earlier as a certified nursing assistant to test the field before committing to an LPN or RN program.
Pay
The 2024 median wage was $62,340 for LPNs and $93,600 for RNs, per BLS — a roughly $31,000 gap that reflects the additional education and broader scope. LPN pay ranges from about $47,960 (lowest 10%) to over $80,510 (top 10%), and varies by setting; for the full breakdown see our LPN salary and career outlook.
The gap is real, but so is the time-and-cost difference. An LPN is earning a solid wage two to three years before a BSN graduate finishes school — years of income and zero (or low) tuition debt that partly offset the higher RN ceiling.
The Bridge: LPN-to-RN
You don’t have to choose permanently. Per BLS, an LPN can complete an LPN-to-RN education program to become a registered nurse. This is the path many people take on purpose:
- Train as an LPN in about a year and start earning.
- Work as a licensed nurse — often with an employer who helps pay for further schooling.
- Bridge to RN through an LPN-to-RN (or LPN-to-BSN) program, with some prior coursework credited.
It turns the either/or into a sequence: start fast, earn while you learn, and ladder up without starting nursing school from scratch. If that’s your plan, choose an LPN program with an established bridge — see how to vet one in our guide to the best LPN programs.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose LPN if you want to be working and earning fast, keep training costs low, or test nursing before committing to a longer degree. It’s also the natural first rung if you plan to bridge to RN later.
- Choose RN if you want the higher ceiling, broader scope, and more advancement options (management, specialties, or graduate paths), and you can commit the two to four years and higher cost up front.
Neither is “better” — they fit different timelines and budgets. For the step-by-step LPN route, see how to become an LPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an LPN become an RN? Yes. Per BLS, an LPN can complete an LPN-to-RN education program to become a registered nurse, with some prior coursework credited — so you don’t start nursing school over from scratch.
Do LPNs and RNs do the same job? No. Both provide patient care, but RNs perform full assessments, develop and coordinate care plans, and supervise other staff, while LPNs provide basic care — typically under the supervision of RNs and physicians, per BLS. In some states, LPNs with training can give medications or start IVs.
Which makes more money? RNs. The 2024 median was $93,600 for RNs versus $62,340 for LPNs, per BLS — a gap that reflects the additional education and broader scope of practice.
Is it worth becoming an LPN first? For many people, yes. You start earning a solid wage in about a year, often with an employer who helps fund further schooling, then bridge to RN. It spreads the cost and replaces years of student debt with income.
Which is harder to get into? RN programs are longer and more selective, with deeper science prerequisites. LPN programs are faster to enter and complete, which is part of why they’re a popular on-ramp.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook — Last modified August 28, 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nurses: Occupational Outlook Handbook — Last modified August 28, 2025
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing — Approval of Nursing Education Programs (NCLEX) — Accessed June 2026
