There are numerous benefits to working as an LPN or RN.
For instance, both professions provide fulfilling work in direct care for those in the healthcare sector.
LPNs and RNs also have excellent job stability and employment opportunities.
However, there are significant advantages for those transitioning from an LPN to RN.
It includes earning higher salaries, better career diversity, and more promising work-life balance options.
Registered nurses can also pursue more impactful work due to higher autonomy and a more robust skillset.
The following article explores the various reasons to transition from an LPN to RN.
1. Higher Earning Potential
Registered nurses earn significantly higher incomes than LPNs due to their education and training.
Some registered nurses earn twice as much as LPNs.
According to salary.com, RNs earn around $82,710 yearly in the United States, while LPNs make roughly $50,753.
Registered nurses in high-paying states or specific specializations earn even more, with salaries reaching six figures!
There are many opportunities for RNs to make money, from overtime and travel nursing to entrepreneurship and consulting.
LPNs can also earn good incomes in specific healthcare settings like hospitals.
However, their income possibilities are much more limited, and they have a lower salary cap than registered nurses.
2. Better Career Diversity
LPNs have minimal opportunities in terms of career diversity.
Some LPNs take on management roles where they oversee other LPNs or CNAs.
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of other careers for licensed practical nurses to grow and diversify within their profession.
Comparatively, registered nurses can pursue over one hundred disciplines with new career opportunities occurring yearly.
Many registered nurses work in direct care settings, clinics, and privately owned facilities.
However, some operate as researchers, consultants, writers, educators, forensic nurses, and mental health specialists.
RNs can also become travel nurses allowing them to work on different assignments throughout the United States!
Those who become registered nurses benefit from a broad diversity of careers.
As a result, most people can find rewarding work that accommodates their interests, skillset, and values.
3. Better Work-Life Balance Options
As previously mentioned, registered nurses have a lot of career options.
It enables them to pick professions that match their preference and lifestyle.
Registered nurses also typically work 12-hour shifts three days a week, which provides more flexibility and freedom!
As a result, some RNs have a more suitable work-life balance than other occupations that require five-day work weeks.
Registered nurses must choose careers and work settings that accommodate their lifestyles.
Working in understaffed facilities or high-stress locations can be challenging.
However, higher pay, better career diversity, and three-day work weeks allow RNs to pursue careers that suit their lifestyles.
Earning more money means a more satisfactory lifestyle, and better career choices mean more fulfilling work!
4. More Impactful Work
Licensed practical nurses help patients receive valuable support by managing bedside chores and individual needs.
As a result, they’re vital for maintaining timely care and enabling other healthcare workers to focus on more complex tasks.
Nevertheless, an LPN’s limited education and training restrict the medical assistance they can provide.
Registered nurses have a broader scope of practice due to their advanced education and background.
These healthcare providers work in many promising, impactful, and influential careers.
Most registered nurses are known for operating in hospitals, emergency departments, and direct care environments.
In these settings, they provide a wide range of assistance, from monitoring patient vitals to helping with surgeries.
Some registered nurses work in research developing technologies, medical approaches, and procedures to improve healthcare.
Others operate as legal nurse consultants supporting individuals and companies to resolve legal-medical claims.
Those who become nurse practitioners provide primary care to patients with diverse needs.
It enables them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and open clinics in underserved areas.
Registered nurses also work as advocates and educators in government and academic settings.
The broad diversity of career opportunities allows registered nurses to match their passions with their professions.
5. Greater Autonomy
Workplace autonomy goes hand in hand with career diversity.
Because registered nurses specialize in a broad range of professions, they have more autonomy than most other occupations.
Even those operating in hospital settings have numerous career advancement opportunities.
For instance, hospital nurses specialize in triage, trauma, NICU units, pediatrics, or critical care.
Travel nurses have exceptional autonomy that enables them to accept temporary assignments and work in different states.
These professionals can take a twelve-week job, receive housing accommodations and acquire a full-paid rental car.
It enables them to travel to various locations and earn excellent incomes during work.
When not working, travel nurses take time off to enjoy themselves until they accept their next assignment.
Registered nurses can select careers that offer three twelve-hour work days per week if it accommodates their needs.
They also work in traditional jobs like education, which provides nights and weekends off.
Registered nurses who perform for certain schools may even receive summer breaks lasting several months.
Best of all, registered nurses can easily change careers if there is enough overlap between disciplines.
Those who pursue careers requiring further education can take certifications or return to school to obtain the necessary skills.
As a registered nurse, you aren’t stuck in one career for the rest of your life.
You can try various disciplines until you find one that provides the autonomy and interests that matter to you.
6. More Robust Skillset
A registered nurse’s skill set enables them to provide more complex care to patients requiring medical help.
These healthcare specialists can also complete certifications to further their talents, unlocking new careers and better pay.
Unfortunately, an LPN’s skillset is somewhat limited, preventing them from providing high-level medical care.
These healthcare providers typically work under the supervision of registered nurses or other medical professionals.
An LPNs work is gratifying and deeply meaningful.
However, it doesn’t permit these professionals to take on more substantial healthcare roles due to their narrow skillset.
Those who enhance their skillset receive higher pay, new disciplines, extra responsibilities, and more impactful work.
Switching careers as a registered nurse is much easier than for LPNs.
Skilled registered nurses are in high demand, and many healthcare facilities are understaffed.
As a result, they can quickly find work that matches their skill set or change careers by acquiring further training/certifications.
Summary
Nursing is a robust career offering healthcare professionals of all levels opportunities to advance and make a difference.
Nevertheless, those who become registered nurses or APRNs have the most significant career options.
These healthcare professionals work in direct care, research, education, legal consulting, and other disciplines.
They also earn exceptional incomes and occupy careers that significantly impact patient care and the healthcare system.
As a result, those who work as CNAs or LPNs benefit enormously by returning to school to become registered nurses.