RN vs LPN Career Outlook
Updated 30 March 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth for RNs and 5% for LPNs through 2032. A nationwide nursing shortage is driving demand for both roles. Here is what the job market looks like and where each career path can take you.
Projected Job Growth (2022 to 2032)
Registered Nurses (RN)
6%
177,400 new positions
Faster than average for all occupations (3%)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
5%
58,400 new positions
Faster than average for all occupations (3%)
Both roles are growing faster than the national average for all occupations. The combined 235,800 new nursing positions represent one of the largest growth areas in healthcare. These numbers do not include replacement demand from retiring nurses, which adds an estimated 200,000+ additional openings annually.
The Nursing Shortage: What It Means for Your Career
The United States faces a significant and growing nursing shortage driven by multiple converging factors. This shortage benefits both RNs and LPNs through increased demand, higher salaries, and more negotiating power.
Aging Population
The 65-and-older population is projected to reach 82 million by 2050 (up from 58 million in 2022). Older adults use healthcare services at 3 to 4 times the rate of younger populations. This demographic shift alone would require tens of thousands of additional nurses even without any supply-side issues.
Retiring Workforce
The average age of an RN is 52. Approximately 1 million RNs are over 50 and approaching retirement. The American Nurses Association projects that more RNs will retire in the next decade than any previous decade. Nursing schools cannot produce enough graduates to replace the retiring workforce while simultaneously meeting growing demand.
Nursing School Bottleneck
Nursing programs turn away tens of thousands of qualified applicants every year due to faculty shortages, limited clinical placement sites, and budget constraints. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reported that over 91,000 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2022. The faculty shortage is itself caused by low academic salaries compared to clinical nursing.
Burnout and Attrition
Post-pandemic burnout continues to drive nurses out of the profession. Surveys indicate that 15% to 20% of nurses plan to leave their current position within the next year, with many leaving clinical nursing entirely. High patient-to-nurse ratios, mandatory overtime, and workplace violence are the most cited reasons. This attrition further widens the gap between supply and demand.
RN Advancement Paths
One of the biggest advantages of the RN path is the range of advanced practice and leadership roles available. These positions require additional education but offer significantly higher compensation and greater autonomy.
| Advanced Role | Additional Education | Average Salary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (NP) | MSN (2 to 3 years post-BSN) | $120,000+ | 40% (2022-2032) |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | DNP (3 to 4 years post-BSN, ICU required) | $200,000+ | 40% (2022-2032) |
| Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) | MSN or DNP (2 to 4 years post-BSN) | $115,000+ | 40% (2022-2032) |
| Nurse Manager / Director | BSN + experience (MSN preferred) | $95,000 to $140,000 | Strong demand |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) | MSN with clinical focus (2 to 3 years) | $95,000+ | 40% (2022-2032) |
| Nurse Educator | MSN or DNP (2 to 4 years post-BSN) | $82,000+ | High need (faculty shortage) |
| Informatics Nurse | BSN + IT/informatics training | $90,000 to $110,000 | Rapidly growing |
The 40% projected growth for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) is one of the fastest growth rates of any occupation in the country. The push to expand primary care access, especially in rural areas, is driving demand for nurse practitioners who can practice independently in many states. CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing role, with salaries exceeding $200,000 in most markets.
LPN Advancement Paths
LPN advancement options are more limited without additional education, but there are still meaningful ways to grow within the role and increase earnings.
LPN-to-RN Bridge (the primary advancement path)
The most impactful career move for an LPN is completing an LPN-to-RN bridge program. This opens all of the RN advancement paths listed above. Many LPNs work for employers who offer tuition reimbursement for bridge programs, reducing or eliminating the $15,000 to $30,000 cost. Bridge programs take 12 to 18 months and can often be completed while working part-time as an LPN.
Specialty Certifications
Without changing roles, LPNs can increase their value and salary by earning specialty certifications. IV therapy certification is the most common and opens doors to higher-acuity settings. Wound care certification (WCC) is in high demand in long-term care. Gerontology and long-term care certifications demonstrate expertise in the LPN's primary employment setting.
Charge Nurse / Team Lead
In long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, experienced LPNs can advance to charge nurse positions, overseeing a unit or shift. Charge nurse roles typically pay $2,000 to $5,000 more per year and provide leadership experience that strengthens your resume for future RN positions.
Specialized Practice Settings
LPNs who gain expertise in specific areas like dialysis, dermatology, or pediatric offices can command higher pay. Home health LPNs with tracheostomy and ventilator experience are in particular demand and earn at the top of the LPN salary range. Travel LPN positions offer weekly pay of $1,200 to $2,200 for short-term assignments.
Telehealth and Emerging Nursing Roles
Technology is creating new nursing roles that did not exist a decade ago. These roles are expanding primarily for RNs, though some LPN opportunities are emerging.
Telehealth Nursing (RN)
Remote triage, chronic disease management, and post-discharge follow-up via video and phone. Telehealth RN positions have grown over 300% since 2020. Salaries range from $65,000 to $90,000 with the significant benefit of working from home. Requires strong assessment skills and comfort with technology.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RN)
Managing patients with chronic conditions using connected devices (blood pressure monitors, glucose meters, pulse oximeters) that transmit data to the nurse in real-time. This role combines clinical knowledge with health informatics. Growing rapidly as CMS expands reimbursement for remote monitoring.
Nurse Informaticist (RN)
Designing, implementing, and optimizing electronic health record (EHR) systems. Nurse informaticists bridge the gap between clinical workflows and technology. Salaries range from $90,000 to $120,000. Requires BSN plus informatics training or certification. One of the fastest-growing non-clinical nursing roles.
Virtual Home Health (LPN)
Some home health agencies are creating hybrid roles where LPNs alternate between in-person visits and virtual check-ins. This model increases the number of patients an LPN can serve and is particularly common for medication management and wound assessment follow-ups in rural areas.
Where Demand Is Strongest
Nursing demand varies significantly by region. Understanding where nurses are needed most can help you target your job search or negotiate higher compensation.
| Region | RN Demand | LPN Demand | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rural areas (nationwide) | Critical shortage | High demand | Fewer providers, aging population, hospital closures |
| Southeast (FL, GA, SC, NC) | High demand | High demand | Rapid population growth, retiree migration |
| Southwest (TX, AZ, NV) | High demand | Moderate demand | Fast-growing metros, new hospital construction |
| West Coast (CA, WA, OR) | Moderate (high supply) | Moderate | Highest salaries but more competitive market |
| Midwest (OH, MI, IN, WI) | High demand | High demand | Aging population, nurse retirements, lower salaries |
Long-Term Career Security
Nursing is one of the most recession-proof careers in the economy. Healthcare demand does not decrease during economic downturns. During the 2008 to 2010 recession, nursing employment actually increased while most other sectors contracted. The combination of an aging population, nursing retirements, and limited educational capacity means that the supply and demand imbalance will persist for at least the next 15 to 20 years.
For RNs, the career trajectory has no ceiling. From bedside nursing, you can advance to management, education, advanced practice, informatics, consulting, or executive leadership without ever leaving the nursing profession. For LPNs, the long-term outlook is positive in long-term care and home health settings, though hospital opportunities continue to narrow. The most secure long-term strategy for LPNs is to eventually pursue the bridge to RN, which opens all of the advanced career pathways.
The Best Time to Enter Nursing Is Now
The nursing shortage means strong job security, competitive salaries, signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and negotiating power for new graduates. Whether you choose the LPN or RN path, you are entering a profession where demand will exceed supply for the foreseeable future. Use our salary comparison calculator to see what you could earn in your state.