Trade Career Comparison

Which trade career fits you best?

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)

Provide basic nursing care under direction of registered nurses and doctors. Monitor patient health, administer medications, and assist with daily living activities.

$62,340/yr median

$47,960$80,510

AverageHeavyUnion: ModerateEntry: Moderate

Training Path

State-approved certificate program + NCLEX-PN exam (1 year)

Environment

Indoor

Outlook

Average (+3%)

BLS Code

29-2061

Pros

✓One of the fastest paths into nursing — most LPN programs take just 12 months, meaning you can go from zero to licensed and working in about a year.
✓Strong job security with roughly 54,400 openings projected each year. Healthcare does not slow down in recessions, and an aging population keeps demand high across nursing homes, clinics, and home health agencies.
✓Median pay around $62,000 a year is solid for a one-year credential, and you can boost it further with overtime, shift differentials (nights and weekends pay more), and specialty certifications in areas like IV therapy or wound care.
✓A natural stepping stone to higher nursing roles — many LPN-to-RN bridge programs let you keep working while you earn your associate or bachelor's degree in nursing, dramatically increasing your earning potential.
✓Variety of work settings including long-term care facilities, physician offices, home health, clinics, and hospitals. If one environment does not suit you, your license travels to another.

Cons

✗The scope of practice is more limited than an RN — you work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians, and in many states you cannot administer IV medications, perform assessments, or create care plans. This can feel frustrating if you are capable but restricted by your license.
✗Long-term care facilities are the biggest employer of LPNs, and these settings often involve heavy workloads with high patient-to-staff ratios. Burnout and compassion fatigue are real and common.
✗Physical demands are significant — you are on your feet for 8-12 hour shifts, lifting and repositioning patients, and bending repeatedly. Back injuries are one of the most common occupational hazards in nursing.
✗Emotional weight is part of the job. You will care for people who are in pain, declining, or dying. Not everyone is prepared for the grief that comes with losing patients you have cared for over months or years.
✗Pay ceilings are real without further education. While $62K is a decent starting credential salary, RNs earn significantly more, and many employers are shifting roles that LPNs used to fill toward RNs.

What the Life Is Like

An LPN's daily routine depends heavily on the setting. In a nursing home or long-term care facility — the most common workplace — you typically manage a group of 15-25 residents, administering medications on a tight schedule, monitoring vital signs, documenting changes in condition, and communicating with RNs and physicians about concerns. The pace is steady and relentless. In a physician's office or clinic, the work is more predictable — you room patients, take vitals, assist with procedures, give injections, and handle a lot of patient education.

Shifts in facilities are typically 8 or 12 hours, and you should expect to work some nights, weekends, and holidays — that is the reality of healthcare. Day shifts are the most desirable and hardest to get as a new LPN; many start on evenings or nights. The culture in nursing is team-oriented but can be intense. Good LPNs are valued by their teams, and the relationships you build with patients — especially in long-term care — can be deeply rewarding.

Physically, this is a demanding job. You will walk miles during a shift, help transfer patients in and out of beds and wheelchairs, and spend significant time on your feet. Invest in good shoes early — your body will thank you. Mentally, you need to be organized, detail-oriented, and calm under pressure. Medication errors are serious, and you are responsible for catching changes in your patients' conditions. It is challenging work, but many LPNs describe a deep sense of purpose in knowing they make a direct difference in people's lives every day.

How to Get Started

Get your high school diploma or GED

Required for all LPN programs. If you are still in school, focus on biology, chemistry, and health sciences. Strong reading comprehension matters too — you will be reading drug references, care plans, and medical charts constantly.

Complete a state-approved LPN program (about 12 months)

Community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals offer LPN programs. Look for programs accredited by the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). Tuition typically runs $10,000-$20,000, but financial aid, Pell Grants, and workforce development scholarships can help significantly. The program includes classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals plus clinical rotations in real healthcare settings.

Pass the NCLEX-PN exam

After graduating from your program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to get your license. Your school will help you register. Study seriously — use practice tests from resources like UWorld or ATI. The pass rate is around 80-85%, so preparation matters.

Get your CPR/BLS certification

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association is required by virtually every employer. Many LPN programs include this, but if yours does not, complete it before you start job hunting. It is a short course, typically done in one day.

Apply for your first LPN position

Long-term care facilities and nursing homes are the most common entry points and often hire new graduates. Do not overlook home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, and physician offices. Your first job is about building experience and confidence — you can move to a preferred setting after a year or two.

Plan your advancement path

Once you are working, start researching LPN-to-RN bridge programs at community colleges near you. Many are designed for working nurses, with evening or weekend classes. An RN license (especially a BSN) opens up significantly higher pay, more responsibility, and more career options. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement — ask about this during interviews.

Felony Record & Licensing

Often Restricted

Most state nursing boards conduct background checks and may deny licensure for felony convictions, especially violent or drug-related offenses. Some states allow petitions after a waiting period.

This trade has significant barriers for people with felony convictions. Consider exploring more accessible alternatives like welding, solar installation, or construction.

Training Funding & Support

Pell Grants Are Available Again

As of July 2023, the FAFSA no longer asks about drug convictions. The FAFSA Simplification Act restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. If a past drug conviction kept you from financial aid before, you can apply again.

WIOA Workforce Funding

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds free job training, career counseling, and supportive services (transportation, work clothes, childcare) for people reentering the workforce. Contact your local American Job Center (careeronestop.org) to see what's available in your area.

Ban-the-Box & Fair Chance Hiring

Over 37 states and 150+ cities have "ban-the-box" or fair chance hiring laws that prevent employers from asking about criminal history on job applications. Many require waiting until after an interview or conditional job offer. These laws are expanding rapidly — check your state's specific rules.

Licensing laws vary by state and change frequently. This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always verify with your state's licensing board before enrolling in a training program.

Data last verified March 2026 · View sources

We verify our data against official sources. Verification dates show when we last checked — they do not guarantee the information is still current. Laws, rates, and thresholds can change at any time. Always confirm critical information at the official source or with a qualified professional.

National Employment Law Project (NELP) — Fair Chance Hiring

General trade accessibility levels for people with felony convictions — categorized as generally-accessible, varies-by-state, often-restricted, or highly-restricted

https://www.nelp.org/policy-issue/criminal-records-and-employment/

Verified March 2026

trade-schools.net — Jobs for Felons

Trade accessibility and reentry employment guidance for specific trades

https://www.trade-schools.net/articles/jobs-for-felons

Verified March 2026

Hire Felons — Reentry Employment Guide

Employer reentry hiring policies and trade accessibility for people with felony convictions

https://www.hirefelons.org/

Verified March 2026

ASE — About ASE Testing

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.ase.com/certification-series/

Verified March 2026

OSHA — Powered Industrial Trucks

OSHA forklift certification — employer-provided, no criminal history screening

https://www.osha.gov/powered-industrial-trucks

Verified March 2026

EPA — Section 608 Technician Certification

EPA Section 608 refrigerant certification — no criminal history screening

https://www.epa.gov/section608

Verified March 2026

Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Simplification Act

Pell Grant eligibility restored for people with drug convictions and incarcerated individuals, effective July 1, 2023; PELL_GRANT_RESTORED_DATE: "July 2023"

FAFSA Simplification Act, Pub. L. 117-103 (2021); 20 U.S.C. § 1070a

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-simplification

Verified March 2026

National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) — Ban the Box Legislation

Ban-the-box and fair chance hiring laws — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities as of 2026; BAN_THE_BOX_STATE_COUNT: 37; BAN_THE_BOX_CITY_COUNT: 150

https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/ban-the-box-legislation

Verified March 2026

NELP — Ban the Box: U.S. Cities, Counties, and States

Fair chance hiring law coverage — 37+ states + DC + 150+ localities; BAN_THE_BOX_PRIVATE_EMPLOYER_STATES: ["California", "Illinois", "New Jersey", "Washington"]

https://www.nelp.org/publication/ban-the-box-fair-chance-hiring-state-and-local-guide/

Verified March 2026

U.S. Department of Labor — Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO)

WIOA Section 169 workforce funding for reentry — job training, career counseling, and supportive services

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, 29 U.S.C. § 3224; WIOA Sec. 169

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/reentry

Verified March 2026

Legal Information Institute — 18 U.S.C. § 922

18 U.S.C. § 922(g) — federal prohibition on felons possessing firearms, effectively barring law enforcement careers

18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

Verified March 2026