Is an LPN/LVN a promising job?

BLS projections indicate that employment for LPNs/LVNs will grow by 9% from 2019 to 2029, demonstrating ample opportunities in the profession. Demand for nurses, as a whole, continues to increase. The job can be stressful, nurses spend a good part of their workday on their feet, for instance, but it is also highly rewarding.

Should I become an LPN or a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?

As entry-level healthcare positions, becoming an LPN or a CNA can open doors to nursing. Both roles focus on patient care and require a high school diploma and a state-approved education program that does not culminate in a degree. LPNs must pass a licensing exam, but CNAs do not. However, CNAs must pass their state's competency test. In general, LPNs earn higher salaries than CNAs.

How long does it take to become an LPN/LVN?

An LPN/LVN certificate program usually takes one year to complete, including 500-750 hours of requisite clinical experience depending on state requirements. Factors affecting the timeframe include full-time or part-time enrollment, the number of clinical hours required by the school and state, and whether students need to fulfill any general education requirements.

Becoming A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

How Long to Become

1 year

Credits Required

45-50 credits

Average Salary

$62,340 (BLS)

Opportunities with a LPN/LVN

partial online offering

clinical hours required

How Much Will I Make With an LPN/LVN Certificate or Diploma?

$29.97
Mean Hourly Salary

$5,195
Mean Monthly Salary

$62,340
Mean Annual Salary

Source: BLS

How to Become an LPN/LVN

Admission Requirements for an LPN/LVN Program

Aspiring LPNs and LVNs can pursue programs in community colleges, technical schools, hospitals, and high schools. Students should note that requirements vary by institution. However, schools typically require each applicant to hold a high school diploma or GED certificate and a minimum 2.5 GPA.

While programs do not require prerequisite coursework beyond standard high school courses, a solid background in math and science helps students excel in these programs. A vocational nursing applicant may also need to provide letters of recommendation and a resume.

Core Concepts in an LPN/LVN Program

LPN/LVN education prepares graduates to apply nursing processes in healthcare settings to promote healing. Schools also focus on creating ethically driven professionals who work within the legal boundaries of LPN/LVN professional practice. LPN and LVN programs examine nursing competencies and theories, including the following:

Fundamentals of nursing
Anatomy of the human body
Medications
Processes of disease

Students also learn to provide high quality care and examine the best strategies for developing care plans for specific populations. The following are typical courses focused on specialized care giving:

Mental health nursing
Maternal and pediatric nursing
Geriatric nursing

LPN and LVN nurses also need hands-on experience before entering the field. Therefore, the LPN/LVN curriculum includes multiple practicum experiences that amount to over 1,500 hours.

Clinical and Lab Components in an LPN/LVN Program

LPN and LVN requirements include clinical hours and lab components. Students should note that the amount of hours varies by state. Mandatory field experience hours usually range from 500-750 hours. However, the best programs often include practical experience to fully prepare graduates for the field.

What To Expect From an Online LPN/LVN Program

Interested students considering careers as LPNs or LVNs can earn their online degree. Courses may follow an asynchronous format, allowing enrollees to complete coursework at any time to meet their deadline dates. Assignments may include exams, essays, and projects. Students engage with instructors and peers through online discussion boards and email.

Other online courses may use a synchronous format, which requires live attendance through students' webcam. Synchronous learning still requires degree seekers to submit assignments digitally. While students can complete courses online, programs require in-person attendance for clinicals and other field experiences.

Is an LPN/LVN Program Right for Me?

The nursing field offers professional opportunities at multiple levels, allowing students to begin working without an extensive time commitment to their education. Aspiring professionals who need to begin working quickly often choose to complete LVN or LPN requirements, which comprise a year of education before entering the field.

Professionals who earn LPN or LVN credentials before entering RN programs gain more experience, which creates a competitive edge when applying to ADN or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. However, an LPN certificate comes with limitations in the field. For instance, LPNs do not qualify for leadership opportunities and cannot work in as many settings as RNs. LPNs must work under licensed professionals at all times and do not earn as much as RNs.