A stupid question...

This is stupid, since you'd think I would already know the difference (I am working on my pre-nursing now and applying for nursing school this weekend!)

My intention was to become an RN, however, between getting used to school again after several years away, having a 2 year old I have to care for (no family near us and my husband always at work) I struggled this past semester, and it is unlikely I would make it into -or through- the RN program at this point in my life.

While mulling this all over during Christmas break I realized.. maybe I should just to the Practical Nursing program.

But, I need to know the major differences b/w the two. My adviser told me that basically RN is management and if that is something I have no urge to do, then I could very well really enjoy being an LPN more anyway.. and I could always do the bridge later if I wanted (an possibly get it paid for by my employer too)

The thing is- all this argument over being a 'real' nurse or not bothers me. I don't want to do this and feel as though I did it for nothing, but at the same time, I don't want anything like management- I just want to care for patients!

So where do I go? The more i think about it, the more I want to do LPN now and then, if I decide I want to, just bridge later.. ahhh! I just feel so confused.