Required Education

What Does It Take To Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

If you want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) you must complete a required and approved educational program In addition to competing an approved training program, LPNs and LVNs must go through a licensing procedure.

LPN Training Programs

LPNs and LVNs are required to complete an accredited training program. These programs usually take right at around a year or so to finish. At the end of the program the student usually receives a certificate or diploma.

You can find LPN educational programs at technical schools and community colleges throughout the nation.  In some places, these programs can be found in hospitals. 

In addition, certain high schools will allow seniors to complete the program in conjunction with their senior year high school studies in order to give motivated students sort of a jumpstart in life.

As a side note, if you would like to go on to become a Registered Nurse (RN), most RN programs offer an LPN to RN transition program. 

What You Will Study in an LPN Training Program

If you decide this is the right career for you, and you decide to pursue the necessary training, you will learn basic nursing care. 

In addition, you will learn medical terminology, pharmacology, biology, etc.  You will also have to complete a supervised clinical rotation that will allow you to practice your skills in a real-world setting before you graduate.

LPN License

After receiving an LPN certificate, a prospective LPN or LVN must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).  In order to work as an LPN, the candidate must pass the exam and be issued a license; this is true in every state.

Click the following link to be taken to your states board of nursing for a list of approved programs