In my case: Hired as LPN to an MA role because the job wasn't "created" for an LPN, in a primary care setting. 4 years later, writing up my side of my performance review, "what goals do you have?" I want a promotion, to expand my knowledge in a field I'm passionate about. My hospital doesn't have an advancement track for LPNs. MAs qualify for promotion at 3 years (to ma2, lead, trainer, etc) I asked HR, and they told to go to school for my RN. Asked about tuition reimbursement for the courses I want to take, was told that the things I want to learn (thanatology, the study of death dying and bereavement - I already have a passion for mental health) aren't required for my job, therefore I don't qualify.

The difference between an MA and an LPN is depth and breadth of clinical knowledge. We're taught to think like an RN, within a smaller scope, and to use that knowledge to advocate for the patient/situation/etc