You want to become a registered nurse, but spending two to four years in school before you can start working may not fit your life right now. You have rent to pay. Maybe you have children at home, or you already work full-time and cannot afford to stop earning money.

Does that mean you have to put your nursing plans on hold? Not always. Starting with a Practical Nursing (LPN) program gives you a way to enter nursing before completing your RN training. You can learn the skills needed to care for patients, earn your LPN license, and begin working as a nurse. Later, you can return to school through an LPN-to-RN program.

But how does this path compare with going straight into an RN program? And what should you know before deciding which route makes sense for you?

Becoming an RN Does Not Have to Be Your First Step into Nursing

Many people think they have to choose between becoming an LPN and becoming an RN. They see the two as separate career paths. But becoming an LPN can also be your first step toward becoming an RN.

Think about a student who works in a medical office and wants to become a registered nurse. They enjoy being around patients and want to take on more direct care duties. But they cannot afford to spend several years in school without working. Starting with practical nursing may give that student a way to enter the field sooner.

What Is the Difference Between an LPN and an RN?

Licensed practical nurses provide direct patient care under the direction of registered nurses, physicians, or other approved healthcare providers. Their duties may include checking vital signs, giving medications, caring for wounds, and watching for changes in a patient’s health.

Registered nurses have a broader scope of practice. They assess patients, develop nursing care plans, give treatments, and help manage patient care.

Both roles involve working closely with patients. The exact duties depend on state nursing laws and the healthcare setting. For someone who wants to become an RN, the question is whether to complete RN training first or enter nursing as an LPN and continue their education later.

How Long Does It Take to Become an LPN vs. an RN?

The time you spend in school may be one of the first things you look at when comparing nursing programs.

A traditional associate degree RN program generally takes about two years, while a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program typically takes four years. Some programs also require courses that must be completed before admission. At OBC, the Practical Nursing and LPN-to-RN programs each take 44 weeks.

Here is how the different paths compare.

Nursing program	Typical program length
Traditional associate degree RN program	About 2 years
Traditional BSN program	About 4 years
OBC Practical Nursing program	44 weeks
OBC LPN-to-RN program	44 weeks
OBC Practical Nursing + LPN-to-RN	88 weeks of instruction

 

The combined OBC path includes two separate programs. Students must meet the admission and licensing rules for each one.

Can You Become an RN in About Two Years by Starting as an LPN?

The two OBC programs add up to 88 weeks of instruction, or about 20 months. However, that does not mean every student will become an RN within 20 months. You must complete practical nursing training, pass the NCLEX-PN, and obtain your LPN license before entering the LPN-to-RN program. You must also meet the bridge program’s admission rules.

Some students may choose to work as an LPN for a year or longer before returning to school.

The benefit of this path is that you have the chance to enter nursing and earn money while working toward your RN goal.

What Is It Like to Start with a Practical Nursing Program?

During your first few weeks of practical nursing school, you may find yourself learning medical terms you have never heard before. You practice taking vital signs, learn how medications affect the body, and begin to understand what nurses look for when checking a patient’s health.

Then you start putting those lessons into practice.

Can You Work as an LPN Before Going Back to School for Your RN?

Yes. After completing an approved practical nursing program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and obtaining your license, you can pursue work as an LPN. This is where the LPN-to-RN path may appeal to someone who needs to earn money before continuing their education.

You might work in a long-term care facility, a medical office, or another setting that employs practical nurses. Your day could include giving medications, checking patients, helping with daily care, and reporting changes in their health. And you begin to learn things that are difficult to understand from a textbook alone.

Working as an LPN Can Change How You See Nursing

You may discover that you enjoy caring for older adults. Or you might find that you prefer working in a medical office where you see patients throughout the day. You also begin watching how registered nurses handle their duties and may notice an RN assessing a patient whose condition has changed, speaking with a physician, or updating a care plan. After working alongside RNs, you may have a clearer idea of what you want to learn when you return to school.

There is another side to consider. Working as an LPN can make it harder to find time for classes, clinical hours, and studying. Before enrolling in an LPN-to-RN program, look closely at your work schedule and how much time you can set aside for school.

What Changes When You Enter an LPN-to-RN Program?

Returning to nursing school after working as an LPN is different from starting practical nursing training with no healthcare experience. You already know how to speak with patients. You have given medications, followed care plans, and worked with other nurses. But RN training asks you to look at patient care from a broader point of view.

You Begin Learning to Make More Nursing Decisions

Think about a patient whose blood pressure has dropped since the last time it was checked.

As an LPN, you may recognize the change, follow the care plan, and report your findings to the RN or another approved provider.

As an RN, you may be responsible for a broader patient assessment, deciding which nursing actions are needed, and updating the care plan within your scope of practice. During LPN-to-RN training, you build on what you already know while learning the wider duties of a registered nurse. Your past work experience can help you understand patient situations, but you will still need to study new material and complete the required clinical training.

Is It Better to Become an LPN First or Go Straight to RN School?

Picture two students who both want to become registered nurses. One has enough financial support to attend a traditional RN program before entering the nursing field. The other needs to start earning money sooner and wants to complete practical nursing training first.

Both students can work toward becoming registered nurses, but their paths will look different.

Going straight into an RN program may allow you to complete your RN education without stopping between programs. Starting as an LPN gives you the chance to gain nursing experience and earn money before returning for RN training.

You should also compare the total cost of both paths, the admission rules, and how much time you may spend out of school between programs. Neither path removes the need to pass the NCLEX-RN and meet state licensing rules before working as a registered nurse.

Start Your Nursing Education at OBC

At OBC, students can begin with the 44-week Practical Nursing program and later pursue the 44-week LPN-to-RN program after meeting the entry rules. You do not have to decide today exactly how long you want to work as an LPN before returning to school.

You can begin by learning what practical nursing school involves, reviewing the admission rules, and finding out whether the class schedule fits your life. If becoming an RN is your long-term goal, ask OBC how its Practical Nursing and LPN-to-RN programs work together. You can also discuss what you would need to do after graduation to qualify for the next stage of your nursing education.

Frequently Asked Questions About LPN and LPN-to-RN Programs

Do I need to have healthcare experience before enrolling in OBC’s Practical Nursing program?

You do not need to have worked as a nurse before starting practical nursing school. Students learn basic nursing skills in the classroom and practice them in a lab before using those skills during clinical training. Contact OBC to review the full admission requirements and find out what you need to complete before enrolling.

Can I receive financial aid for both the LPN and LPN-to-RN programs?

Eligible students may qualify for financial aid for each program. Your aid will depend on factors such as your financial need, enrollment status, and remaining aid eligibility. OBC’s financial aid staff can help you review your options and explain how returning for RN training may affect your aid.

Will my LPN license remain active while I attend an LPN-to-RN program?

Yes, you can maintain your LPN license while attending an LPN-to-RN program. You must continue to meet Ohio’s license renewal and continuing education requirements. Completing RN training does not automatically cancel your LPN license.

Do I have to repeat courses I already completed during practical nursing school?

LPN-to-RN programs build on the nursing education you have already completed. However, you may need to complete new courses or meet specific academic requirements before entering the program. Ask OBC which credits from your practical nursing education will apply and whether any additional courses are required.

Can I enroll in OBC’s LPN-to-RN program if I earned my LPN license at another school?

You may be eligible to apply even if you completed your practical nursing education at another school. OBC will need to review your nursing education, license status, and other admission requirements. Contact the admissions team to find out which records you need to submit before applying.

LPN & LPN to RN Programs

The LPN program and  LPN to RN program provided by the OBC are 44 weeks, or 4 quarters, each. The LPN to RN program covers patient care skills, medical knowledge and critical thinking and decision-making skills. Once you graduate from the LPN to RN program, you will be fully qualified to take the NCLEX-RN Exam to become licensed as an RN in Ohio and 38 additional states as part of the Multi-State Compact License.

Contact us today to learn more about our nursing programs.