#14Fastest Start

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide essential direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians.

Training Time

1.1 yr→

Education Cost

$6k–$15k→

Job Growth

4.7%→

About as fast as average

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Getting Started

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

At 1.1 years to get started, this takes longer than the 9 months average for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers.

1

Complete Education

Earn your Postsecondary Certificate (typically 1.1 years) at an estimated cost of $6k–$15k.

2

Get Licensed or Certified

Complete any state-required licensing or certification exams for licensed practical nurse (lpn) / licensed vocational nurse (lvn) practice.

3

Begin Working

Start gaining experience in licensed practical nurse (lpn) / licensed vocational nurse (lvn) roles at hospitals, clinics, or community health settings.

Education costs from College Scorecard. Training timelines from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Pathway quick answers

  • How do you become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Complete required education, licensing, and supervised training for Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
  • How long does it take?Typical path to first paid role: 1.1 years.
  • How much does it cost?Estimated education and training cost range: $6k-$15k (living expenses excluded).

Estimates use College Scorecard tuition data plus cited pathway and licensing requirements.

Overview

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Do?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide essential direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians. The titles LPN and LVN refer to the exact same profession—the only difference is geographic, with California and Texas using the term LVN while all other states use LPN. These nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, monitoring patient health, administering medications, performing wound care, and assisting with daily activities like bathing and feeding.

On the Job

Monitor patient vital signs including blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration rate
Administer prescribed medications following state regulations and facility protocols
Perform wound care including changing bandages and dressings
Assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and feeding
Insert catheters and collect samples for laboratory testing
Document patient care, observations, and treatments in electronic health record systems
Communicate with patients and families about care plans and procedures
Report patient status changes and concerns to supervising RNs or physicians

Compensation

How Much Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Make?

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) requires upfront training investment before earnings ramp toward career-level pay. The average education cost for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers is $10k.

Future-Proofing

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Employment Growth

The BLS projects 4.7% growth over the next decade, roughly in line with the 6.1% average for Postsecondary Certificate-level careers.

10-Year Growth

4.7%

About as fast as average

AI Impact

High AI Impact

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) roles face significant AI impact — higher AI exposure than most Postsecondary Certificate-level careers. AI independently handles one or more major task components in this field. Core responsibilities like state licensing requirements require human presence and judgment that AI cannot replicate.

Why It's Safe

  • +Assisting and caring for others
  • +Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
  • +Developing and building teams
  • +Performing general physical activities
  • +Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
State Licensed

What Could Be Automated

  • −Documenting/recording information
  • −Getting information
  • −Making decisions and solving problems
  • −Monitoring processes, materials, or surroundings
  • −Working with computers

Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology and Bureau of Labor Statistics projections

Learn More

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Sources

These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.

Advanced Methodology

Education cost source id: college_scorecard_2025

Source update dates: BLS OEWS: 2024-05 · BLS Projections: 2024-09 · O*NET: 2024-12