Updated April 15, 2026
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Also known as: Charge Nurse, Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN), Clinic Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses provide direct patient care — administering medications, monitoring vitals, changing wound dressings, and assisting with daily activities. You'll work alongside RNs and doctors in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, handling the hands-on care that keeps patients comfortable and healing.
Getting Started
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
You can start working as an LPN in 15 months with $6k-$15k in training — that's faster and cheaper than most health care careers requiring certificates.
LPN/LVN Certificate Program
12 months · $20,000-$30,000
NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam
1 month · $200-$300
State LPN/LVN Licensure
1 month · $100-$200
Job Search & Onboarding
1 month
Licensed Practical Nurse Practice
Ongoing
Continuing Education & Renewal
Ongoing · $200-$500/year
Start
Year 1
Year 1
LPN/LVN Certificate Program
12 months
NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam
1 month
Licensed Practical Nurse Practice
Ongoing
| Step | Duration | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
LPN/LVN Certificate Program | 12 months | $20,000-$30,000 | Complete a state-approved practical nursing program accredited by ACEN, combining classroom study with supervised clinical practice in healthcare settings. |
NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam | 1 month | $200-$300 | Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) administered by NCSBN to obtain state licensure. |
State LPN/LVN Licensure | 1 month | $100-$200 | Obtain state licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse, required in all states to practice. |
Job Search & Onboarding | 1 month | — | Search for and secure an LPN/LVN position in hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, or other healthcare settings. |
Licensed Practical Nurse Practice | Ongoing | — | Work as a Licensed Practical Nurse providing basic nursing care under the supervision of RNs and physicians in various healthcare settings.Starting salary: $48,000/yr |
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Overview
What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Do?
LPNs work primarily in long-term care facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics, spending most of their shift providing direct patient care. Your day splits between clinical tasks (giving medications, wound care, collecting specimens) and patient support (helping with mobility, monitoring condition changes).
- Observe patients and document changes in their conditions, such as negative reactions to medications or treatments, and take appropriate action when needed.
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, including height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate.
- Give prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids (fluid delivered directly into a vein), and record the times and amounts in patient charts.
- Provide basic patient care such as checking temperatures or blood pressures, changing bandages, treating pressure sores, administering enemas, performing alcohol rubs, giving massages, or inserting catheters (tubes that drain urine).
- Respond to patients' calls and determine what assistance they need.
- Supervise nursing aides or assistants.
- Evaluate the results of nursing care and consult with other healthcare team members as needed.
- Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and adjust care, and carry out treatments.
Tasks from O*NET OnLine
Requirements
Licensing & Certification
You must hold an LPN license to practice — this isn't optional. All 50 states require passing the NCLEX-PN exam and maintaining an active license through your state board of nursing.
| Credential | Status | Cost | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPN/LVN State License (NCLEX-PN) | Required | $200 | Every 2 yr |
LPN/LVN State License (NCLEX-PN) (State Board of Nursing (exam administered by NCSBN via Pearson VUE)) — Proves minimum competency to practice practical nursing safely. Required in all states
- Exam: NCLEX-PN (Next Generation): Computer-adaptive test with 85-150 questions including multiple-choice, select-all-that-apply, drag-and-drop, and case-based items. 5-hour time limit. Includes 15 unscored pretest questions. Exam ends when algorithm reaches 95% confidence in pass/fail determination.
- Cost: $200 (NCLEX-PN registration fee) + $75-$375 (state licensure application fee, varies by state). $50 fee to change NRB or exam type after registration.
- Renewal: Continuing education hours vary by state (typically 20-30 contact hours per renewal cycle). Some states require specific topics such as pain management, implicit bias, or substance abuse. Renewal fees range from $50-$150 depending on state.
All 50 states require LPN licensure, though California and Texas call it Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Renewal periods and continuing education requirements vary significantly — Florida requires 24 hours every two years including medical error prevention training, while Illinois mandates implicit bias education. Some states accept online continuing education while others require in-person hours, so check your state board of nursing for specific requirements.
The eNLC lets you practice in 41 states plus two territories with one license — you won't need separate applications if you move or travel between member states. You must live in a compact state and pass a federal background check to qualify.
Compensation
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Salary
At $62k annually, LPNs earn more than medical assistants ($42k) and pharmacy technicians ($40k), but less than registered nurses ($86k). Pay varies significantly by setting — hospital LPNs typically earn 10-15% more than those in nursing homes.
$62k/yr
median annual salary
You'll spend $6k-$15k and 15 months to start earning $62k — that means your training pays for itself in just 2-4 months of work. This is one of the fastest payback periods in health care.
Salaries vary by location and setting. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)s in metropolitan areas and specialty practices typically earn more than the national median.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
HealthJob Analysis
Is It Worth It? 20-Year ROI
Earning $875k in 20-year net earnings and breaking even in year 2, LPN training delivers excellent ROI. The low education cost ($25k total including living expenses) and quick entry to a $62k salary drive strong returns. This ROI beats most certificate-level careers and rivals some bachelor's degree paths.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$875k
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, BLSSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $875k (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): $25k (range used: $20k-$31k). Breakdown: LPN/LVN Certificate Program: $25k; NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam: $250; State LPN/LVN Licensure: $150.
- How long does it take to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?Typical time to first paycheck is about 1.3 years. Typical time to enter the target Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) role is about 1.3 years.
- How do you become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LPN/LVN Certificate Program Education | Year 0 (m0-m11) | $0 | -$25,000 | -$25,000 | |
NCLEX-PN Licensure Exam Training/Licensing | Year 1 (m13-m13) | $0 | -$250 | -$250 | |
State LPN/LVN Licensure Training/Licensing | Year 1 (m14-m14) | $0 | -$150 | -$150 | |
Licensed Practical Nurse Practice Career | Years 1-19 (m15-m239) | $900,000 | $0 | $900,000 | |
| 20-year totals | $900,000 | -$25,400 | $874,600 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLSBLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLSBLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.Source unavailable
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSBLS
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
LPNs rank in the top tier of certificate-level health care careers by ROI, outperforming medical assistants and pharmacy technicians due to higher starting salaries and similar training costs.
Future-Proofing
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Demand grows 4.7% annually as the aging population requires more long-term care and hospitals rely on LPNs to manage nursing shortages. The 632,430 current jobs will expand by about 30,000 positions over the next decade.
10-Year Growth
4.7%
About as fast as average
Current Employment
632,430
jobs nationwide
HealthJob Analysis
Will AI Replace Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?
LPN work centers on hands-on patient care that AI cannot replicate — administering injections, assessing skin condition, helping patients move safely, and providing emotional support. AI tools are entering documentation and scheduling, but core bedside nursing tasks require human judgment, dexterity, and interpersonal skills. The physical and emotional components of patient care create strong barriers to automation.
Core bedside care (wound care, injections, vitals) is hands-on; AI only in documentation and scheduling tools.
ANA: AI in Nursing Practice Position Statement · BLS: Licensed Practical Nurses +3% (2023-2033)
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology
Learn More
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Sources & Data
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- •O*NET OnLine
- •NCSBN / Pearson VUE
- •HealthJob AI Impact Analysis
- •BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Data last refreshed: April 2026