What Does an LPN Do?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN)—also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some areas—typically completes about 12 to 18 months of training through a practical nursing diploma or certificate program. LPNs perform essential bedside care such as monitoring vital signs, dressing wounds, administering basic medications, aiding with daily hygiene, and providing comfort under supervision.
Training focuses on hands-on practice and foundational clinical skills, preparing candidates for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Salaries typically land in the range of $55,000–$60,000 per year in the U.S., though this varies by geography and practice setting.
Registered Nurse (RN): Broader Scope and Higher Autonomy
Registered Nurses bring more advanced education and responsibility to the care setting. Programs include:
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Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)—2 to 3 years
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)—typically 4 years.
After completion, candidates sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to earn RN licensure, which is recognized across the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
RNs perform comprehensive patient assessments, administer complex treatments (including IVs and medications), coordinate care plans, educate families, and may supervise LPNs or CNAs. Their median salaries are notably higher—commonly $77,000–$94,000 annually. Job growth prospects are strong too, with expected demand rising steadily over the next decade.
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing): A Degree with Greater Reach
A BSN is more than a license—it's a degree that elevates opportunities. While ADN graduates can become RNs, many health systems, especially in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK, increasingly favor or require BSN-prepared RNs.
BSN programs include leadership, community health, research, and public health topics that go beyond clinical fundamentals. With a BSN, nurses open doors to advanced specialties, supervisory roles, and smoother advancement into graduate-level paths like Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Leader.
International Context: Degrees, Titles, and Recognition
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Canada: RNs typically need a four-year bachelor's degree, with LPNs trained via 2–3 year diplomas. Provincial bodies encourage upgrading LPNs to degree-level RN credentials.
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Australia: The RN path is a 3–4 year Bachelor of Nursing under AHPRA regulation. Equivalent to LPNs are Enrolled Nurses (ENs)—diploma-trained and supervised nursing roles that can transition toward RN via further study.
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UK: Nursing education leads directly to a nursing degree (typically 3 years), without separate practical license tracks—so the LPN role doesn't exist as it does elsewhere.
What Nurses Say: Real Perspectives from Reddit
From conversations across borders, some key reflections:
"In Canada, LPN/RPNs graduate with a diploma; RNs with a degree... LPNs don't work in ICU or upper management... Pay level is the biggest difference." Reddit
"BSN all the way! better scope of practice and more opportunities..." Reddit
These sentiments reflect how education level shapes autonomy, income potential, and the breadth of clinical settings available.
Quick Comparison Table
| Role / Pathway | Training Duration | Autonomy & Scope | Typical U.S. Salary | Career Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN / LVN | 12–18 months | Task-based, supervised care | $55,000–$60,000/year | Limited—entry level, but adaptable to home or long-term settings |
| RN (ADN or Diploma) | 2–3 years | Broader care duties and independent tasks | $77,000–$94,000/year | Mid-career flexibility; stepping stone to BSN |
| RN (BSN) | ~4 years | Full clinical scope; leadership included | ~$90,000+ | Opens advanced roles, leadership pickets, and grad-level entry paths |
Which Path Suits You Best?
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Choose LPN if you want to enter nursing quickly, value routine patient care, and prefer more immediate job access—but understand it's more limited in role and earnings.
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Begin as an RN via ADN if you want solid foundational skills with better flexibility and earnings. Keep in mind, some employers do require a BSN eventually.
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Go straight for a BSN if you're aiming for leadership, specialty fields, or graduate-level practice. This path involves more schooling but establishes a gateway to advanced certification and international recognition.
Your choice among LPN, RN (ADN), or RN (BSN) ultimately depends on how quickly you want to start, how widely you want your career to unfold, and whether you're aiming for long-term mobility across global healthcare systems. Each path brings value—but the BSN route offers the broadest professional horizon, especially for international ambitions or leadership aspirations.
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