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The healthcare industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Each year, the field has nearly 2 million job postings, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And nursing is one of the most in-demand careers in healthcare.

Currently, the U.S. is facing a nursing shortage due to an aging population and nursing retirements. In 2024, the median age for RNs reached 50, according to the 2024 national nursing workforce survey conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. These factors translate into hundreds of thousands of nursing job openings annually, including for LPNs and RNs.

While both LPNs and RNs benefit from strong demand, the two roles have different responsibilities, licensing requirements, and earning potentials. Understanding the differences between an LPN vs. RN helps individuals considering nursing school choose the right career path. Current LPNs can also increase their earning potential and job opportunities with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

What Is an LPN?

An LPN, or licensed practical nurse, offers basic nursing care, often under the supervision of a registered nurse. Also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some states, these nurses take vital signs, administer patient care, and communicate with patients.

LPN Duties and Responsibilities

LPNs provide task-oriented care under the supervision of RNs and other healthcare professionals.

Some common LPN duties and responsibilities include:

• Checking blood pressure and recording patient health information
• Assisting patients with tasks such as dressing or bathing
• Communicating with RNs and doctors
• Providing basic patient care and addressing concerns

LPN Skills

LPNs need patience, compassion, and empathy when caring for ill or injured patients. In addition to these abilities, LPNs are required to have skills in other key areas, including:

• Medical care: LPNs need medical skills, including being able to check patients’ vital signs and provide them with basic care.
• Detail-orientation: A detail-oriented approach helps LPNs accurately record information for patients’ medical histories and implement their care plans. 
• Organization: Working with multiple patients simultaneously requires LPNs to have exceptional organizational and multitasking skills.
• Communication: LPNs need strong communication skills to be able to interact with patients, their families, and other healthcare providers.
• Physical stamina: LPNs must have the capacity to spend hours standing and moving, as well as helping patients with bathing and getting around.

What Is an RN?

An RN, or registered nurse, provides evidence-based patient care in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare settings. They coordinate care, assist physicians, and communicate with patients.

RN Duties and Responsibilities

RNs take on more patient care responsibilities than LPNs. They also work more independently than LPNs, who often work under the supervision of RNs.

Some common RN duties and responsibilities include:

• Conducting comprehensive patient assessments
• Administering treatment plans and communicating care plans to patients
• Assisting physicians and other healthcare professionals
• Educating patients on managing medical conditions
• Operating medical equipment, including diagnostic instruments

RN Skills

RNs have more patient care responsibilities than LPNs. As a result, their roles require they have some different skills, including: 

• Patient care: RNs directly care for patients, including taking their medical histories, which requires them to have strong medical and patient care skills. 
• Clinical judgment: RNs must be able to draw on their well-honed clinical judgment when they have to quickly evaluate patients, identify changes in their health status, and make decisions about medical interventions.
• Critical thinking: RNs regularly employ their critical thinking skills when they assess patients’ data, apply nursing research in their practice, and provide quality care to patients with different and changing needs.
• Communication: RNs need to have effective communication skills so they can clearly convey medical information to patients and sometimes complex medical information to other healthcare providers.
• Organization: RNs must be able to coordinate the care of multiple patients at a time, which requires they have high-level organizational skills. 

Differences Between LPNs and RNs

There are important differences between LPNs and RNs when it comes to their education, licensing, and scope of practice.

In addition, advancement opportunities differ for the two roles. LPNs seeking career advancement typically pursue their RN license. Career advancement is one of several reasons to earn an advanced nursing degree. For example, RNs who earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree qualify for higher paying roles with greater responsibilities.

Education Requirements

LPNs complete a 1-2 year program that includes courses in nursing, patient care, and clinical training. RNs can qualify for a license with a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing or a diploma in nursing. 

However, many employers prefer to hire RNs with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which typically takes four years. With a nursing bridge program such as an RN to BSN, registered nurses can advance their degree level more quickly.

Scope of Practice

The scope of practice differs for LPN vs. RN jobs. State laws regulate the duties and responsibilities of nurses, depending on their license. As a result, LPNs must work under the supervision of an RN or other healthcare provider. RNs operate with more independence and take on greater responsibility for patient care.

Licensing

Both LPN and RN jobs require licensure. LPNs must complete a state-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN exam, and apply for a license to practice in their state. Similarly, RNs need a registered nursing license, which requires attending a state-approved RN program and passing the NCLEX-RN exam. LPNs and RNs must regularly renew their licenses.

Career Advancement

Both LPNs and RNs can advance in their careers by continuing their education and earning a higher-level degree. LPNs and RNs can earn a bachelor’s degree, which will prepare them to pursue an RN role, if they are an LPN, or a specialty or leadership role, such as a nurse manager, emergency nurse, or nursing informatics specialist role.

RNs who already have a bachelor’s degree can prepare to increase their clinical responsibilities and income potential by earning a graduate degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). With an advanced degree, RNs can become nurse practitioners who provide primary and specialty care, nurse educators who instruct and guide the next generation of nurses, or even chief nursing officers who provide executive-level leadership and oversee a hospital’s nursing department.

LPN vs. RN: Salary and Job Outlook

What is the salary and job outlook for LPN vs. RN careers? While both roles report strong demand, RNs earn a higher salary and benefit from more annual job openings.

LPN Salary and Job Growth

LPNs had a median annual salary of $62,340 as of May 2024, according to BLS data, with the highest paid earning over $80,510 per year. LPN salaries vary by work setting, location, and experience. For example, LPNs in hospitals report salaries slightly below the median, while those in government roles report above-median salaries. The BLS projects 3% job growth for LPNs between 2024 and 2034, with around 54,400 job openings expected each year.

RN Salary and Job Growth

RNs report above-average salaries and strong job growth numbers. In May 2024, RNs had a median salary of $93,600 per year, according to the BLS. The highest-paid RNs earned over $135,320 per year. RN salaries vary by specialty, location, and experience. Public sector RNs reported the highest salaries, while nursing and residential care nurses reported below-median salaries.

The number of registered nursing jobs is projected to grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034, with over 189,000 job openings expected each year, according to the BLS. 

Discover How an LPN to BSN Program Can Help You Advance in Your Nursing Career

As nurses earn higher degrees, they can increase their earning potential and professional responsibilities. Nursing bridge programs help current nurses advance their education. At Wilson College Online, current LPNs can earn their bachelor of science in nursing with the online LPN to BSN program.

Unlike many LPN to RN programs, Wilson College’s program awards a bachelor’s degree. Nurses meet the requirements for the NCLEX-RN exam and an RN license while also graduating with their BSN. This offers a significant advantage for LPNs who want to move into the in-demand RN field.

A growing number of employers prefer to hire RNs with a bachelor’s degree. Today, about 70% of employers report a strong preference for hiring BSN graduates, according to 2023 data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. With a BSN, nurses qualify for specialty and leadership roles, including lead nurse and nurse manager. 

Current RNs without a bachelor’s degree can enroll in Wilson College Online’s RN to BSN program to earn their bachelor’s degree or RN to MSN program to earn their master’s degree. 

Find out how Wilson College Online can help you take the next step in your nursing career.

Recommended Readings

How Long Is an LPN to BSN Program?

LPN Career Path: What’s Next?

What Do You Learn in an LPN to BSN Curriculum?

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, New Graduate Employment Data

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage

American Nurses Association, Nurses in the Workforce

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Healthcare Occupations

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses