text: You have to complete a nursing program in order to be a nurse.  Your choice would be to be a registered nurse vs. a practical nurse.  The difference is that registered nurses are higher up on the food chain so to speak.  They are allowed to do more than LPNs and are actually the immediate supervisors of LPNs.  For either career choice you have to complete a program of study.  For me, I opted to get a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing which is a 4 year college degree.  This is one pathway to become and RN.  You could also go through an associate degree course which is 2 years.  There are still some diploma nursing programs around which usually run through hospitals and are anywhere from 18 to 24 months in length.  For all 3 tracks, you can take the boards to become a registered nurse.  \n\nLPNs usually go to school for less time, however they also must complete a national board licensure before they can actually be a nurse.  Most of the programs where I live are around 12 to 18 months to become an LPN.\n\nThe best program depends on what you want to do.  The hisgest entry level nurse is the Bachelor's prepared nurse.  This option gives you the biggest knowledge base and your opportunities to advance typically are easier.  There are many diploma or associate degree RNs who progress very nicely though.  A big advantage of a Bachelor's degree is that you can go on to graduate school to become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist without having to go through the undergraduate classes.  If you aren't interested in furthering your career, then either of the other options are good.  \n\nSend me a private message if you have any other questioins.  I just went through all of this!!!