LPN to RN salary increase is worth the investment

For licensed practical nurses (LPNs), becoming a registered nurse (RN) is perhaps the most important career investments one can make, particularly when one considers the potential LPN to RN salary boost this type of training affords.

LPN to RN salary by the numbers

Both LPNs and RNs are in high demand, but the additional training required to become the latter means RNs earn more. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPNs nationwide earned a mean annual salary of $40,900 in 2009, while RNs earned $66,530. This equals an average LPN to RN salary improvement of $25,630 per year.

Where nurses live can also impact their LPN to RN salary potential. For example, the BLS notes that RNs in California, the highest paid in the nation, earned on average $33,150 more on average in 2009 than those in Iowa, the lowest paid. In other words, to make the most of one's LPN to RN salary boost, it is wise to consider location in addition to training. Note the following highest paying states for RNs and their 2009 mean earnings:

• California: $85,080
• Massachusetts: $81,780
• Hawaii: $80,020

LPN to RN: making the switch

In order to become an RN, an LPN must become licensed as an RN. The process requires additional education and a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN. While a nursing diploma or associate degree is sometimes sufficient, the BLS notes that employers increasingly prefer to hire RNs with bachelor's degrees. An LPN to RN bridge program is an excellent way to advance one's education with minimal LPN training overlap.