RN vs BSN vs LPN: Which Nursing Career Path Should You Choose

Thinking about becoming a nurse? You’re making a great choice! But there are different types of nurses – RN, BSN, and LPN – and it can be confusing to pick the right one.

This guide explains each nursing path in simple terms. We’ll cover how long school takes, how much money you can make, and what work you’ll do. Let’s find the perfect nursing career for you!

Quick Comparison

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Entry-Level Nursing Career

An LPN is a “Licensed Practical Nurse.” Think of them as the helpers in the nursing world. They do important work, but they always work under other nurses or doctors.

In some states, LPNs are called LVNs. It’s the same job with a different name. Both mean you’re a nurse who helps with basic patient care.

To become an LPN, you need to finish a nursing program that takes 12 to 18 months. That’s about one year! After school, you take a big test called the NCLEX-PN.

You must pass this test to become an LPN. The test makes sure you know how to take care of patients safely. Most people who study hard can pass it.

LPNs help patients with basic needs every day. They check how patients are feeling and help them eat, wash, and get dressed. They can give some medicines but not all types.

They also write down important information about patients. This helps doctors and other nurses know what’s happening. LPNs are like the eyes and ears of the medical team.

The most important thing to know is that LPNs cannot work alone. They always need an RN or doctor to watch over their work. This is different from RNs who can make more decisions by themselves.

LPNs make about $48,000 per year, but this changes based on where you live and work. Most LPNs work in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, or helping patients at home. Some work in hospitals too.

Registered Nurse (RN): The Standard Nursing Role

An RN is a “Registered Nurse.” They are the main nurses you see in hospitals. RNs can make decisions about patient care without asking permission every time.

This makes them different from LPNs. RNs have more training and can handle more complex situations. They’re like the team leaders in patient care.

You have two choices for becoming an RN. You can get an ADN degree in 2-3 years, or a BSN degree in 4 years. Both make you an RN with the same license.

The ADN costs less money and gets you working faster. The BSN costs more money but hospitals prefer these nurses. Both types of RN students must pass the same hard test called the NCLEX-RN.

RNs have more responsibility than LPNs. They check patients and figure out what’s wrong. They make plans to help patients get better and give all types of medicines.

They also teach patients about their health. This is really important because patients need to know how to take care of themselves at home. RNs are great teachers.

RNs can tell LPNs and nursing assistants what to do. They talk to doctors about patient care as equals. This is a big difference from LPNs who must always ask permission.

RNs can work in many different areas. Some work in emergency rooms helping people in emergencies. Others take care of babies and kids. Some help during operations or care for very sick patients.

RNs make about $75,000 per year on average. Hospital nurses usually make more money than those in doctor’s offices. Nurses in big cities often make more than those in small towns.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Advanced Nursing Education

Here’s something important: BSN is not a different type of nurse! A BSN is still an RN. The difference is that BSN nurses went to school for 4 years instead of 2-3 years.

Think of it like this: All BSN nurses are RNs, but not all RNs have a BSN degree. It’s like having a regular high school diploma versus an honors diploma.

Both are high school graduates, but one has extra education. The same is true for RNs and BSN nurses. They do the same basic job but BSN nurses have more training.

BSN nurses learn about leadership and how to manage other nurses. They study research and science more deeply. They also learn about community health and get ready for management jobs.

Most hospitals prefer BSN nurses over ADN nurses. Some hospitals only hire BSN nurses now. This trend is growing every year across the country.

If you want to be a nurse manager someday, you’ll probably need a BSN degree. It’s also required if you want to go back to school for advanced nursing degrees.

Both BSN and ADN nurses take the same test and get the same nursing license. They can do the same nursing tasks. The difference is that BSN nurses often get promoted faster.

BSN nurses usually make about $5,000 more per year than ADN nurses. That might not sound like much, but over a whole career, it adds up to a lot of money.

If you want to go back to school later to become a nurse practitioner, you’ll need a BSN first. It opens more doors for your future career.

Which Nursing Path is Right for You?

The right nursing path depends on your personal situation. Think about how fast you want to start working and how much money you want to make.

If you want to start working very fast, choose LPN. You can be working in about one year. This is good if you need to start making money quickly.

It’s also good if you want to try nursing before committing to more school. Some people aren’t sure if they’ll like nursing, so LPN is a good way to test it out.

If you want to be a “real” nurse but don’t want four years of school, choose the ADN-RN path. This takes 2-3 years and gives you full nursing responsibilities.

It’s a good balance of time and money. You get to be a real RN without spending too much time in school. Many successful nurses have ADN degrees.

If you want the best job opportunities and don’t mind four years of school, choose BSN. Hospitals really want these nurses. You’ll also have the best chance of getting promoted.

Think about your money situation too. LPN programs cost the least. ADN programs cost more but not too much. BSN programs can be very expensive, especially at private colleges.

Consider where you want to work. Most hospitals prefer BSN nurses now. Nursing homes and doctor’s offices still hire LPNs and ADN nurses. Home health care companies hire all types of nurses.

Also think about your future goals. Do you want to be a manager someday? Do you think you might want to go back to school for advanced degrees? If yes, then BSN is probably your best choice.

Future Trends in Nursing Education and Practice

Many hospitals are starting to hire only BSN nurses. This is because research shows BSN nurses help patients get better faster. Special hospital awards also require more BSN nurses on staff.

This trend means BSN degrees are becoming more important every year. ADN nurses might need to go back to school later to get their BSN. LPN jobs in hospitals are becoming more rare.

But don’t worry if you choose ADN or LPN. There are still plenty of jobs in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and home health care. These places still need all types of nurses.

Technology is also changing nursing. All nurses now use computer systems for patient records. Some nurses do video calls with patients at home. Smart machines help monitor patients.

This means all nurses need to be comfortable with computers. If you’re not good with technology now, you should start learning. It’s becoming a big part of nursing.

All nurses must keep learning throughout their careers. They have to take classes every few years to keep their license. They also need to learn about new medicines and treatments.

The good news is that nursing jobs are very safe. While technology helps nurses do their jobs better, patients will always need human care. Robots can’t replace the compassion that nurses provide.

Nurses in specialized areas often make more money. ICU nurses, surgery nurses, and emergency room nurses usually get paid more than regular floor nurses. Nurse managers make even more money.

Getting Started: Next Steps for Each Nursing Path

Before you can apply to any nursing school, you need to finish high school or get your GED. You also need to take basic classes like math, science, and English.

Most nursing programs want you to have good grades because they’re competitive. Many people want to be nurses, so schools can pick the best students.

Most nursing schools require something called the TEAS test. This test checks if you’re ready for nursing school. It has questions about reading, math, science, and English.

You should study for this test for at least six weeks. There are books and online courses to help you prepare. Taking practice tests is really helpful too.

The cost of nursing school varies a lot. LPN programs might cost $5,000 to $20,000. ADN programs cost $3,000 to $40,000. BSN programs can cost $40,000 to over $100,000.

You can get help paying for school. Fill out the FAFSA form to see if you qualify for government money. Look for nursing scholarships in your area.

Ways to Pay for Nursing School:

• FAFSA – Government financial aid
• Nursing scholarships – Free money you don’t pay back
• Hospital programs – They pay for school if you work for them
• Payment plans – Spread costs over time
• Work-study programs – Work part-time while in school

Some hospitals will even pay for your school if you promise to work for them after you graduate. This is called a scholarship program and it’s a great deal.

There are different ways to go to nursing school. You can go full-time during the day and finish faster. Or you can go part-time in the evenings while you work.

Some programs are partly online, which is good for people with busy schedules. If you already have a college degree, you can do an accelerated nursing program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can LPNs become RNs? Yes! Many LPNs go back to school to become RNs. Some schools have special programs that give you credit for what you already know as an LPN.

Do I need a BSN to be an RN? No, you don’t need a BSN to be an RN. You can become an RN with either an ADN or BSN degree. Both make you a real RN with the same license.

How long does it take to go from LPN to BSN? If you’re an LPN who wants a BSN, it usually takes about 3-4 more years of school. Some schools have faster programs for working nurses.

What’s the difference between RN and BSN salary? BSN nurses usually make about $5,000 more per year than ADN nurses. Over a whole career, this can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Which nursing job pays the most? Generally, BSN nurses make more than regular RNs, and RNs make more than LPNs. But the area you work in matters too.

How hard is nursing school? Nursing school is challenging but most people can do it with hard work. You need to study regularly and practice your skills. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Are nursing jobs safe from robots? Yes! Nursing jobs are very safe because patients need human care and compassion. Technology helps nurses but can’t replace them.