Registered Nurse vs. Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse
The short answer
Many LPN/LVNs later become RNs through LPN-to-RN bridge programs. Both are licensed by a board of nursing, and both can be covered by the Nurse Licensure Compact.
RNLPN/LVN
- What they do
- RNs provide and coordinate patient care, teach patients and the public about health conditions, and support patients and their families.LPNs and LVNs give basic medical care to people who are ill, injured, recovering or living with disabilities. California and Texas use the title LVN.
- Typical entry-level education (BLS)
- Bachelor's degreePostsecondary nondegree award
- Programs
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN); Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)Practical / vocational nursing (LPN/LVN) programs
- Licensing
- You need a license from the state where you work, which means graduating from an approved program and passing a qualifying exam.After an approved program you must pass an exam to be licensed by your state.
- Licensing exam
- NCLEX-RNNCLEX-PN
- U.S. median pay
- $46.90/hr ($97,550/yr)$30.96/hr ($64,400/yr)
- Projected growth, 2025–35
- +5.6%+3%
- Openings per year
- 180,80051,800
- Interstate compact
- Nurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN)Nurse Licensure Compact (NCSBN)
Sources
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurse, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Licensed Practical / Vocational Nurse, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Employment Projections, 2025–35, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Checked against these sources on Oct 1, 2026.