[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Healthcare Associate Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”not-prose mt-8 mb-2″]Opportunities with a LPN/LVN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Quicker Entry[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The LPN/LVN route can be a [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//fastest-paths-to-becoming-a-nurse/”]quicker and less expensive path to employment in the nursing[/hen-ui-link] field.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Path to Advancement[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/lpn-lvn/”]LPNs and LVNs work[/hen-ui-link] in their field for one or two years, and then eventually return to earn their bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Explore the Nursing Field[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an LPN/LVN allows you to get experience and see if nursing is a good fit for you before committing to a longer program.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Skills Learned[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Patient care, teamwork, and communication and organizational skills.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Will I Make With an LPN/LVN Certificate or Diploma?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]Source: BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-article-card title=”Learn More About LPN Nurse Careers and Salary Outlook” href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/lpn-lvn/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become an LPN/LVN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Find an Accredited Practical or Vocational Nursing Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]State-approved LPN and LVN programs are typically offered through technical schools and community colleges, though some hospitals and high schools also offer training.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Apply to LPN/LVN Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Applicants are usually required to have either a high school diploma or GED certificate. Some programs may require that applicants take the TEAS exam.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Attend LPN/LVN Classes[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPN and LVN programs feature academic, lab, and clinical components. Coursework covers the fundamentals of nursing and human anatomy, and clinical requirements can be completed at healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Graduate from an LPN/LVN Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can finish an LPN/LVN program within a year to 16 months.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Register for NCLEX-PN Exam[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and is used to assess a candidate’s readiness to work as a practical or vocational nurse.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Pass NCLEX-PN Exam[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Candidates typically wait around six weeks to receive their score. Upon passing, they are eligible to apply for licensure and begin working.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-section-header title=”Entry-Level Nursing Programs” /][hen-ui-article-row variant=”3-col” ids=”34044,33944,36843″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Admission Requirements for an LPN/LVN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Core Concepts in an LPN/LVN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fundamentals of nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Anatomy of the human body[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Processes of disease[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Maternal and pediatric nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Geriatric nursing[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Clinical and Lab Components in an LPN/LVN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What To Expect From an Online LPN/LVN Program[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Interested students considering careers as [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//how-online-nursing-programs-work/”]LPNs or LVNs can earn their degrees[/hen-ui-link] online. 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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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 [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//clinical-experience-for-online-nursing-students/”]in-person attendance for clinicals[/hen-ui-link] and other field experiences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is an LPN/LVN Program Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals who earn LPN or LVN credentials before entering RN programs gain more experience, which creates a competitive edge when applying to [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link] or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. However, an [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-rn-roles/”]LPN certificate comes with limitations[/hen-ui-link] 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.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Questions About LPN and LVN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is an LPN/LVN a promising job?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Should I become an LPN or a certified nursing assistant (CNA)?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-cna/”]entry-level healthcare positions[/hen-ui-link], 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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become an LPN/LVN?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]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.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]