How To Become An LPN Or An LVN

Becoming a licensed practical nurse is the fastest way into a nursing career. You don't need a degree, and most people are working within one to two years. In Texas and California, the same role is called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

How Long to Become: 1-2 years Degree Required: LPN/LVN diploma or certificate Certification: Basic and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, IV therapy Job Outlook: 3% growth, 2024-2034

What Is a Licensed Practical Nurse?

LPNs work under an RN's supervision to provide basic patient care: administering medication, monitoring vital signs, and keeping records. You'll find them in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, physician offices, and private homes.

To get licensed, you complete a one-year, state-approved vocational program and pass the NCLEX-PN. The median LPN salary was $62,340 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Your earnings depend on specialty, setting, and location. LPNs don't top the pay charts in healthcare, but in-demand specialties like gerontology and IV therapy pay above average. Government positions and home health roles tend to pay the most.

Steps to Becoming an LPN

You need to finish an accredited practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. After that, a specialty certification or further education (such as bridging to an RN) can raise your pay.

1. Earn an LPN/LVN credential from an accredited program

Complete an accredited, state-approved diploma or certificate program. Community colleges and vocational schools run these, and they usually take one to two years. Coursework covers basic nursing skills, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and medical terminology, plus hands-on clinical time.

2. Pass the NCLEX-PN

Every state requires the NCLEX-PN for licensure. After you graduate and meet your state's eligibility rules, register through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The exam runs 85 to 150 questions over about five hours.

3. Gain practical nursing experience

New LPNs find work through job boards, staffing agencies, networking, and local health departments. The BLS reports that nursing care facilities, hospitals, home health providers, and physician offices employ the most LPNs.

4. Consider getting certified

Certification isn't required, but it raises your earning potential and opens advancement. The Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse credential, for example, recognizes LPNs who work with chronically ill patients. State agencies and professional associations offer certifications across many specialties.

LPN/LVN Education

The exact path depends on your state, but everywhere you'll need a diploma and a license before you can work. Common program and admission requirements look like this.

Practical nursing programs combine classroom and clinical learning to prepare you for entry-level work. Full-time students often finish in a year, then sit for the NCLEX-PN.

• Admission requirements: at least 18 years old, high school diploma or GED, minimum 2.5 GPA, transcripts, drug test and background check, CPR certification
• Curriculum: 30-40 credits covering nursing fundamentals, biology, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, human growth and development, and basic nutrition; 500-700 clinical hours
• Time to complete: 12-24 months
• Skills learned: basic patient care, assessment and monitoring, record keeping, patient education, communication

LPN Licensure and Certification

Every state requires a license, which means passing the NCLEX-PN. Some states add requirements on top. You'll renew your license on your state's schedule, which may include proving competency and earning continuing education hours.

Once you have experience, specialty certifications help you advance and earn more. Some focus on a setting, like long-term care or hospice and palliative care. Others target a role or patient population, such as correctional healthcare, developmental disabilities, or nephrology.

Working as an LPN

LPNs earn a median of $62,340, according to 2024 BLS data. The lowest-paid earn under $48,000; the highest-paid clear $80,510. Experience, setting, and location move that number.

The BLS projects 3% job growth for LPNs from 2024 to 2034, below the 7% projected for all health technologists and technicians. That works out to about 54,400 openings a year.

Nursing and residential care facilities employ 35% of LPNs, hospitals 16%, home healthcare agencies 12%, and physician offices 12%. Start your search on job boards, employer websites, and professional organizations. Many LPN programs also offer placement services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an LPN? Most LPNs complete a one- to two-year certificate or diploma, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply for a state license.

LPN vs. CNA: what's the difference? Both provide basic care under an RN's supervision, but LPNs have a broader scope. They can administer medication, start IV drips, and draw blood, and they earn more than CNAs.

What's the fastest way to become an LPN? Enroll in a one-year LPN program. You'll combine patient care coursework with clinical training, then qualify for the NCLEX-PN and licensure.

Where do LPNs earn the most? Government facilities report the highest median wages. The highest-paying states include Washington, Rhode Island, Alaska, California, and Oregon.