My name is Katie, and I have been a nurse for 10 years. My healthcare journey began in 2013 when I started as a CNA, eventually progressing through school to achieve my BSN. I specialize in Emergency Medicine and have worked as a Travel ER RN since the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing has been life-changing for me. I strive to be the good in difficult situations and provide the best care possible to my patients.
Not sure whether to become an LPN or an RN? You’re not the only one. The titles might sound similar, but the paths are pretty different—and so is the day-to-day work.
If you’re thinking about nursing but trying to decide which route fits your timeline, goals, and energy, this breakdown will help clear things up without the fluff.
The biggest practical difference comes down to how long each path takes.
To become an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse), you’ll usually spend about a year in training. It’s fast, focused, and built to get you working quickly. Community colleges and vocational schools often run these programs, and the curriculum sticks to what you’ll need right away in real care settings.
RNs (Registered Nurses) take the longer road. An Associate Degree in Nursing takes 2–3 years, while a Bachelor’s (BSN) stretches to four. RN training covers a wider base—clinical decision-making, leadership, deeper science, and more.
So if you’re asking, “How fast can I start working?”—LPN wins. But if you’re looking for flexibility down the road, RN opens more doors.
Both LPNs and RNs care for patients—but the scope is different.
LPNs are the go-to for routine, direct care:
Checking vitals
Helping with hygiene
Changing dressings
Giving certain medications
Keeping tabs on how patients are doing
They’re often the ones who spend the most time at the bedside, and that face-to-face time matters more than people realize.
RNs, on the other hand, go a bit deeper. Along with basic care, they:
Write and adjust care plans
Give IV meds
Interpret patient data
Lead nursing teams
Talk directly with doctors about changes or complications
If you like managing the big picture—or if you eventually want to specialize—RN is probably your route.
LPNs are a solid fit for:
Long-term care and rehab
Clinics
Home health
Some hospital roles (though not all units hire LPNs)
RNs work everywhere LPNs do—and then some. You’ll find them in:
Emergency rooms
Intensive care
Labor & delivery
Public health programs
Surgical units
School systems
Certain roles—like ER nurse, ICU, or charge nurse—are strictly RN territory.
LPNs usually work under RNs or doctors. That’s not a bad thing—it just means the structure is more defined. You’ll be the one carrying out tasks and giving updates, while someone else calls the shots.
RNs often lead the plan of care, delegate tasks, and make decisions when a patient’s condition changes. They carry more responsibility—and that comes with more trust, but also more pressure.
That’s not really the right question. It’s more like: What fits your life right now?
Want to work hands-on while building experience? Go LPN.
Want a broader role, long-term flexibility, or to specialize? RN’s your lane.
Both roles matter. Both change lives. And either one can be the beginning of a meaningful career in healthcare.
If you’re leaning toward the LPN path, we can help you get started.
Use our form to explore training programs near you and take the first step toward a career in nursing.
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