How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width" /> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <title>How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | ANA</title> <meta name="description" content="Considering becoming an LPN? Learn what their role is, training and education requirements, and how they differ from LVNs." /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/how-to-become-a-licensed-practical-nurse/" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@4.6.0/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css"> <meta property="og:title" content="How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/how-to-become-a-licensed-practical-nurse/" /> <meta property="og:site_name" content="ANA" /> <meta property="og:description" /> <meta property="article:published_time" content="2024-02-06T03:28:14" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@https://twitter.com/ANANursingWorld" /> <meta name="twitter:title" content="How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse" /> <meta name="twitter:description" /> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimal-ui" /> <meta name="theme-color" content="#C92027" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/assets/img/logos/favicon.ico" type="image/icon" /> <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,100,100italic,300,300italic,400italic,700,700italic,900italic,900&subset=latin,latin-ext" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/Hub/Static/main.css"> <script tytpe="text/javascript" src="/assets/js/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/Hub/Static/assets/javascripts/hubsearch.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/Hub/Static/assets/anime.min.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/Hub/Static/script.js"></script> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/styles/screen" asp-append-version="true" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/styles/print" media="print" asp-append-version="true" /> <script src="/bundles/moderniz"></script>  <script> !function(T,l,y){var S=T.location,k="script",D="instrumentationKey",C="ingestionendpoint",I="disableExceptionTracking",E="ai.device.",b="toLowerCase",w="crossOrigin",N="POST",e="appInsightsSDK",t=y.name||"appInsights";(y.name||T[e])&&(T[e]=t);var n=T[t]||function(d){var g=!1,f=!1,m={initialize:!0,queue:[],sv:"5",version:2,config:d};function v(e,t){var n={},a="Browser";return n[E+"id"]=a[b](),n[E+"type"]=a,n["ai.operation.name"]=S&&S.pathname||"_unknown_",n["ai.internal.sdkVersion"]="javascript:snippet_"+(m.sv||m.version),{time:function(){var e=new Date;function t(e){var t=""+e;return 1===t.length&&(t="0"+t),t}return e.getUTCFullYear()+"-"+t(1+e.getUTCMonth())+"-"+t(e.getUTCDate())+"T"+t(e.getUTCHours())+":"+t(e.getUTCMinutes())+":"+t(e.getUTCSeconds())+"."+((e.getUTCMilliseconds()/1e3).toFixed(3)+"").slice(2,5)+"Z"}(),iKey:e,name:"Microsoft.ApplicationInsights."+e.replace(/-/g,"")+"."+t,sampleRate:100,tags:n,data:{baseData:{ver:2}}}}var h=d.url||y.src;if(h){function a(e){var t,n,a,i,r,o,s,c,u,p,l;g=!0,m.queue=[],f||(f=!0,t=h,s=function(){var e={},t=d.connectionString;if(t)for(var n=t.split(";"),a=0;a<n.length;a++){var i=n[a].split("=");2===i.length&&(e[i[0][b]()]=i[1])}if(!e[C]){var r=e.endpointsuffix,o=r?e.location:null;e[C]="https://"+(o?o+".":"")+"dc."+(r||"services.visualstudio.com")}return e}(),c=s[D]||d[D]||"",u=s[C],p=u?u+"/v2/track":d.endpointUrl,(l=[]).push((n="SDK LOAD Failure: Failed to load Application Insights SDK script (See stack for details)",a=t,i=p,(o=(r=v(c,"Exception")).data).baseType="ExceptionData",o.baseData.exceptions=[{typeName:"SDKLoadFailed",message:n.replace(/\./g,"-"),hasFullStack:!1,stack:n+"\nSnippet failed to load ["+a+"] -- Telemetry is disabled\nHelp Link: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2128109\nHost: "+(S&&S.pathname||"_unknown_")+"\nEndpoint: "+i,parsedStack:[]}],r)),l.push(function(e,t,n,a){var i=v(c,"Message"),r=i.data;r.baseType="MessageData";var o=r.baseData;return o.message='AI (Internal): 99 message:"'+("SDK LOAD Failure: Failed to load Application Insights SDK script (See stack for details) ("+n+")").replace(/\"/g,"")+'"',o.properties={endpoint:a},i}(0,0,t,p)),function(e,t){if(JSON){var n=T.fetch;if(n&&!y.useXhr)n(t,{method:N,body:JSON.stringify(e),mode:"cors"});else if(XMLHttpRequest){var a=new XMLHttpRequest;a.open(N,t),a.setRequestHeader("Content-type","application/json"),a.send(JSON.stringify(e))}}}(l,p))}function i(e,t){f||setTimeout(function(){!t&&m.core||a()},500)}var e=function(){var n=l.createElement(k);n.src=h;var e=y[w];return!e&&""!==e||"undefined"==n[w]||(n[w]=e),n.onload=i,n.onerror=a,n.onreadystatechange=function(e,t){"loaded"!==n.readyState&&"complete"!==n.readyState||i(0,t)},n}();y.ld<0?l.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(e):setTimeout(function(){l.getElementsByTagName(k)[0].parentNode.appendChild(e)},y.ld||0)}try{m.cookie=l.cookie}catch(p){}function t(e){for(;e.length;)!function(t){m[t]=function(){var e=arguments;g||m.queue.push(function(){m[t].apply(m,e)})}}(e.pop())}var n="track",r="TrackPage",o="TrackEvent";t([n+"Event",n+"PageView",n+"Exception",n+"Trace",n+"DependencyData",n+"Metric",n+"PageViewPerformance","start"+r,"stop"+r,"start"+o,"stop"+o,"addTelemetryInitializer","setAuthenticatedUserContext","clearAuthenticatedUserContext","flush"]),m.SeverityLevel={Verbose:0,Information:1,Warning:2,Error:3,Critical:4};var s=(d.extensionConfig||{}).ApplicationInsightsAnalytics||{};if(!0!==d[I]&&!0!==s[I]){var c="onerror";t(["_"+c]);var u=T[c];T[c]=function(e,t,n,a,i){var r=u&&u(e,t,n,a,i);return!0!==r&&m["_"+c]({message:e,url:t,lineNumber:n,columnNumber:a,error:i}),r},d.autoExceptionInstrumented=!0}return m}(y.cfg);function a(){y.onInit&&y.onInit(n)}(T[t]=n).queue&&0===n.queue.length?(n.queue.push(a),n.trackPageView({})):a()}(window,document,{src: "https://js.monitor.azure.com/scripts/b/ai.2.gbl.min.js", crossOrigin: "anonymous", cfg: { instrumentationKey:'2b505152-90ad-4548-899c-27b6353f1a30', disableCookiesUsage: false }}); </script>  <meta name="facebook-domain-verification" content="4wjha7cyg12f9i69zbtpyhqzwr1542" />  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-WVMGFFR');</script>  <script async='async' src='https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js'></script> <script> var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; </script> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { let currentURL = window.location.href; googletag.defineSlot('/30017927/amc.ana/ros.leaderboard', [728, 90], 'ROS-728').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/30017927/amc.ana/ros.box', [300, 250], 'ROS-300').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/30017927/amc.ana/ros.box.bottom', [300, 250], 'ROS-300-BTM').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/30017927/amc.ana/ros.monstermpu', [300, 600], 'ROS-300x600').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.defineSlot('/30017927/amc.ana/ros.billboard', [970, 250], 'ROS-970').addService(googletag.pubads()); console.log(currentURL); if(currentURL == 'https://www.nursingworld.org/continuing-education/' || currentURL == 'https://www.nursingworld.org/education-events/ana-continuing-education/' || currentURL == 'https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/telehealth/') { googletag.pubads().setTargeting('anazone', 'education'); } googletag.enableServices(); }); </script>  <script> !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); fbq('init', '131664687237964'); fbq('track', 'PageView'); </script> <noscript><img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src=https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=131664687237964&ev=PageView&noscript=1 /></noscript>  <style> /*---------- 2024 REDESIGN GLOBAL STYLES BEGIN ---------- */ .e-global-nav { background-color: #0C6E6B; } .e-entities-nav__link, .e-entities-nav__link:hover, .e-entities-nav__link:focus, .e-entities-nav__link:active, .e-header-tools__link, .e-header-tools__link:hover, .e-header-tools__link:focus, .e-header-tools__link:active { font-size: .875rem; } .e-entities-nav, .e-header-tools { font-size: .875rem; } .e-entities-nav__link:after { font-size: .875rem; } .e-header-tools__link--cta { background-color: #fff; color: #009685; font-size: .875rem; } .e-header-tools__link--cta:hover { background-color: #193E4B; color: #fff; font-size: .875rem; } .e-nav-primary__link { font-size: 1rem; } .c-promo-block { background: #0C6E6B; } .c-cta-block__heading { font-family: "SourceSansProBold", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.25rem; font-weight: bold; } .c-cta-block__heading-link:hover, .c-cta-block__heading-link:focus, .c-cta-block__heading-link:active { color: #193E4B; } .c-cta-block__content { color: #2F3638; } .e-richtext p { color: #2F3638; } .e-richtext strong { font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; } .e-richtext p a:not([class*=e-button]) { color: #0C6E6B; } .e-richtext a:not([class*=e-button]):hover, .e-richtext a:not([class*=e-button]):focus, .e-richtext a:not([class*=e-button]):active { color: #193E4B; } .e-button--white:hover, .e-button--white.is--active, body.epi_visualaid .e-button--white:hover, body.epi_visualaid .e-button--white.is--active { background-color: #193E4B; border-color: #193E4B; } .e-button:hover, .e-button.is--active, body.epi_visualaid .e-button:hover, body.epi_visualaid .e-button.is--active, .e-button--blue:hover, .e-button--blue.is--active, body.epi_visualaid .e-button--blue:hover, body.epi_visualaid .e-button--blue.is--active { background-color: #193E4B; border-color: #193E4B; } .c-footer { background-color: #193E4B; } .c-footer__section--dark { background-color: unset; } .c-footer__entities-nav-logo { max-width: 165px; float: left; } .c-footer:before { opacity: initial; padding-top: 0%; width: 50%; left: -17%; bottom: 0%; top: 0; height: 100%; } @media only screen and (max-width: 1023px) { .c-footer:before { display: none; } } /* ---------- 2024 REDESIGN GLOBAL STYLES END ---------- */ </style> </head> <body data-require="./src/views/page-view" id="top" class="body hubresourcepage" data-logged-in-user-id="" data-logged-in-user-member-status="" data-logged-in-user-registered-state="-" data-page-heading="">  <noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-WVMGFFR" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>  <style> [data-product-id="ECRWK190828FL1-ECRWK190828FL1-227003276"] .e-button, [data-product-id="ELIWK191009FL1-ELIWK191009FL1-229852481"] .e-button, [data-product-id="ECRWK190828FL2-ECRWK190828FL2-227114440"] .e-button { display: none; } [data-product-id="ECRWK190828FL1-ECRWK190828FL1-227003276"] .c-product-detail__controls, [data-product-id="ELIWK191009FL1-ELIWK191009FL1-229852481"] .c-product-detail__controls, [data-product-id="ECRWK190828FL2-ECRWK190828FL2-227114440"] .c-product-detail__controls { height: 74px; } form[name="WapForm"] p { margin-bottom: .5rem !important; } form[name="WapForm"] small { font-size: 95% !important; } </style> <a href="#content" class="c-header__skip-to-content sr-only">Skip to content</a> <header class="c-header"> <a href="#content" class="c-header__skip-to-content sr-only">Skip to content</a> <div class="c-header__wrap"> <div class="c-header__grid"> <div class="c-header__grid-item c-header__nav-container c-header__nav-container--global"> <div class="e-global-nav grid grid--full" data-require="./src/views/global-nav-view"> <div class="e-global-nav__content-constraint"> <div class="grid"> <div class="e-global-nav__col grid__item one-whole xlarge--three-fifths"> <nav class="e-entities-nav"> <ul class="e-entities-nav__list"> <li class="e-entities-nav__item"> <a href="/" class="e-entities-nav__link" title="Home" data-global-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Home">Home</a> </li> <li class="e-entities-nav__item"> <a href="/ana/" class="e-entities-nav__link" title="ANA" data-global-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="ANA">ANA</a> </li> <li class="e-entities-nav__item"> <a href="/ancc/" class="e-entities-nav__link" title="ANCC" data-global-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="ANCC">ANCC</a> </li> <li class="e-entities-nav__item"> <a href="/foundation/" class="e-entities-nav__link" title="Foundation" data-global-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Foundation">Foundation</a> </li> <li class="e-entities-nav__item"> <a href="/content-hub/" class="e-entities-nav__link" title="Resources" data-global-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Resources">Resources</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="e-global-nav__col e-global-nav__col--tools grid__item one-whole xlarge--two-fifths"> <nav class="e-header-tools e-header-tools--desktop" data-require="./src/views/header-tools-view"> <ul class="e-header-tools__list"> <li class="e-header-tools__item"> <a class="e-header-tools__link e-header-tools__link--collapse e-header-tools__link--cart" href="/cart/" title="0" data-require="./src/views/mini-cart-view" data-header-tools-cta data-gtm-event-label="Cart"> <span class="e-header-tools__cart-item-count" data-cart data-mini-cart-item-count>0</span> <span class="sr-only">Cart</span> </a> </li> <li class="e-header-tools__item e-header-tools__item--account"> <a class="e-header-tools__link e-header-tools__link--account" href="https://ebiz.nursingworld.org/Login?returnurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.nursingworld.org%2fcontent-hub%2fresources%2fbecoming-a-nurse%2fhow-to-become-a-licensed-practical-nurse%2f" title="Log in" data-header-tools-cta> <span class="e-header-tools__link-label">Log in</span> </a> </li> <li class="e-header-tools__item e-header-tools__item--cta"> <a class="e-header-tools__link e-header-tools__link--cta" href="/membership/joinANA/" target="" title="Join ANA" data-header-tools-cta> <span class="e-header-tools__link-label">Join ANA</span> </a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="main-container"> <div class="top-container"> <div class="menu-container" id="menu"> <div class="links-wrapper"> <a href="/content-hub/becoming-a-nurse/" class="menu-link"> <span>Becoming a Nurse</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 320 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M310.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-192 192c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L242.7 256 73.4 86.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192z" /> </svg> </a> <a href="/content-hub/workplace/" class="menu-link"> <span>Workplace</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 320 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M310.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-192 192c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L242.7 256 73.4 86.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192z" /> </svg> </a> <a href="/content-hub/nursing-leadership/" class="menu-link"> <span>Nursing Leadership</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 320 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M310.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-192 192c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L242.7 256 73.4 86.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192z" /> </svg> </a> <a href="/content-hub/nursing-resources/" class="menu-link"> <span>Nursing Resources</span> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 320 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M310.6 233.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3l-192 192c-12.5 12.5-32.8 12.5-45.3 0s-12.5-32.8 0-45.3L242.7 256 73.4 86.6c-12.5-12.5-12.5-32.8 0-45.3s32.8-12.5 45.3 0l192 192z" /> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="featured-wrapper"> <a href="/our-certifications/adult-gerontology-primary-care-nurse-practitioner/" class="featured-container"> <img src="/globalassets/content-hub/uat/new-screenshot-primary-nav-mockup-cta.jpg" alt="Nurse Practitioner Certification" title="Nurse Practitioner Certification" class="featured-image"> </a> </div> <div class="close-button" id="closeButton"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 384 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M342.6 150.6c12.5-12.5 12.5-32.8 0-45.3s-32.8-12.5-45.3 0L192 210.7 86.6 105.4c-12.5-12.5-32.8-12.5-45.3 0s-12.5 32.8 0 45.3L146.7 256 41.4 361.4c-12.5 12.5-12.5 32.8 0 45.3s32.8 12.5 45.3 0L192 301.3 297.4 406.6c12.5 12.5 32.8 12.5 45.3 0s12.5-32.8 0-45.3L237.3 256 342.6 150.6z" /> </svg> </div> </div> <div class="header-container"> <div class="header-content-wrapper"> <a href="/content-hub/" class="title-wrapper"> <h2 class="title">ANA Nursing Resources Hub</h2> </a> <div class="search-input-wrapper" id="searchBlock"> <p class="search-title">Search Resources Hub</p> <form action="/content-hub/hub-search/" class="search-input-form" id="headerSearchForm"> <input id="searchInput" class="search-input" placeholder="Search Resources Hub" name="query"> <label class="search-input-label"> <input type="submit" hidden /> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M416 208c0 45.9-14.9 88.3-40 122.7L502.6 457.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L330.7 376c-34.4 25.2-76.8 40-122.7 40C93.1 416 0 322.9 0 208S93.1 0 208 0S416 93.1 416 208zM208 352a144 144 0 1 0 0-288 144 144 0 1 0 0 288z" /> </svg> </label> </form> <div class="suggested-container d-none" id="dvSuggestedContainer"> </div> </div> <div class="search-button-container"> <button class="search-button" id="searchToggle"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" height="1em" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor"> <path d="M416 208c0 45.9-14.9 88.3-40 122.7L502.6 457.4c12.5 12.5 12.5 32.8 0 45.3s-32.8 12.5-45.3 0L330.7 376c-34.4 25.2-76.8 40-122.7 40C93.1 416 0 322.9 0 208S93.1 0 208 0S416 93.1 416 208zM208 352a144 144 0 1 0 0-288 144 144 0 1 0 0 288z" /> </svg> </button> </div> <div class="burger-button" id="burgerButton"> <div class="burger-button-line"></div> <div class="burger-button-line"></div> <div class="burger-button-line"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="blog-landscape-container"> <img src="/globalassets/content-hub/uat/hub-resources/how-to-become-a-lpn/gettyimages-1404962439_hero.jpg" alt="A nurse in blue scrubs and a hijab is gently pushing an elderly gentleman in a wheelchair through a hospital corridor. The nurse is leaning forward slightly, smiling and engaging with the patient, who looks relaxed and content." class="landscape-image"> </div> <div class="blog-content-container"> <div class="blog-content-wrapper"> <aside class="content-links-container"> <h3 class="links-title">In This Post</h3> <ul class="links-list tocLinks"> <li class="links-item"> <a href="#What" class="link active">What Is an LPN?</a> </li> <li class="links-item"> <a href="#Do" class="link">What Do LPNs Do?</a> </li> <li class="links-item"> <a href="#Requirements" class="link">LPN Schooling and Training Requirements</a> </li> </ul> </aside> <div class="info-wrapper"> <div class="blog-content"> <div class="top-buttons-wrapper"> <a href="/content-hub/" class="top-button"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="16" height="16" fill="currentColor" class="bi bi-chevron-left" viewBox="0 0 16 16"> <path fill-rule="evenodd" d="M11.354 1.646a.5.5 0 0 1 0 .708L5.707 8l5.647 5.646a.5.5 0 0 1-.708.708l-6-6a.5.5 0 0 1 0-.708l6-6a.5.5 0 0 1 .708 0z"/> </svg> <span class="top-button-text">Content Hub</span> </a> <div class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons" data-url="https://www.nursingworld.org/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/how-to-become-a-licensed-practical-nurse/" data-title="How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse"></div> </div> <h1 class="blog-title-main blog-title animate-text"> How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse </h1> <p class="read-info blog-text"> 3 min read<text> • </text>April, 28 2023 </p> <p class="text-main">Nursing is a rewarding field with plenty of room for personal and professional growth. Choosing the right <a href="/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/nursing-career-pathways/">nursing career pathway</a> starts your profession on the right foot. To become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you must complete an LPN training program and pass a licensing test.</p> <p class="text-main">Becoming an LPN involves less time and expense than becoming a registered nurse (RN). That makes it an excellent option if you're interested in <a href="/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/how-to-become-a-nurse/">becoming a nurse</a> but want to start working as soon as possible. LPN-to-RN bridge programs can help you advance if you decide to complete a more intensive nurse training program later.</p> <h3 id="What" class="blog-title-third">What Is an LPN?</h3> <p class="text-main">A licensed practical nurse is a health care professional responsible for basic patient care and comfort. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient's status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records. An LPN is often a patient's primary point of contact and can relay the patient's concerns to the rest of the care team.</p> <h3 id="Do" class="blog-title-third">What Do LPNs Do?</h3> <p class="text-main">An LPN performs tasks such as taking vital signs, administering medication, placing catheters, dressing wounds, and carrying out health care instructions created by the RN, physician, and other care team members. An LPN typically works under an RN's direct supervision and assists patients in daily routines like eating, dressing, and bathing.</p> <h4 class="text-subtitle">The Difference Between an LPN and LVN</h4> <p class="text-main">Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) perform similar job functions and have the same education requirements. The main distinction is the title based on the state where they work. California and Texas use the term LVN while all other states refer to these entry-level nurses as LPNs.</p> <h4 class="text-subtitle">The Difference Between an LPN and RN</h4> <p class="text-main">RNs receive more training than LPNs and, as a result, have more responsibilities. A registered nurse works with physicians, <a href="/practice-policy/aprn/">advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)</a>, and a team of specialists to develop a patient care plan that the LPN helps to execute.</p> <h3 id="Requirements" class="blog-title-third">LPN Schooling and Training Requirements</h3> <p class="text-main"><img src="/globalassets/content-hub/uat/hub-resources/how-to-become-a-lpn/gettyimages-1340049829-copy_featured_thumbnail.jpg" alt="An LPN in green scrubs is sitting beside an elderly patient in a waiting area, both wearing masks. The nurse is holding a clipboard and attentively discussing the information with the patient, who is gesturing towards the clipboard and appears to be actively involved in the conversation." width="800" height="534" /></p> <p class="text-main">Becoming a licensed practical nurse is a relatively quick way to start a nursing career. The general LPN requirements include the following:</p> <ul> <li>Earning a high school diploma or GED</li> <li>Completing a vocational training course</li> <li>Passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)</li> </ul> <p class="text-main">Before beginning your studies or employment, you may need to pass a background check or basic skills test. LPN education covers theoretical training and various practical skills for nurses. The licensing exam ensures you have the skills and knowledge to work safely as a nurse.</p> <h4 class="text-subtitle">How Long Does It Take to Become an LPN?</h4> <p class="text-main">The process to become an LPN takes at least a year. An LPN training program through a community college or technical school typically runs for about twelve months. You'll then need to pass the NCLEX-PN, so thoroughly prepare for the exam and check for testing dates and locations in your area. If you don't pass the NCLEX-PN exam, don't worry, you'll be able to retake the test after 45 days.</p> <p class="text-main"> </p> <p>Images sourced from Getty Images</p> </div> <div class="related-container"> <h3 class="related-title">Related Resources</h3> <img src="/globalassets/content-hub/uat/hub-resources/how-to-go-from-rn-to-np/gettyimages-1440783906-copy_featured_thumbnail.jpg" alt="A group of attentive nurses in scrubs and white coats gather around a table for a team briefing, led by a nurse standing up, indicating a collaborative medical discussion." class="related-image" /> <div class="links-wrapper"> <a href="/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/how-to-go-from-rn-to-np/" class="related-link">How to Go From Registered Nurse (RN) to Nurse Practitioner (NP) </a> <a href="/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/male-nursing-careers/" class="related-link">Male Nurses: Why Men Should Consider a Career in Nursing </a> <a href="/content-hub/resources/becoming-a-nurse/tips-for-succeeding-in-nursing-school/" class="related-link">What is Nursing School Like? Study Tips to Help You Succeed </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <footer class="c-footer" data-require="./src/views/footer-view"> <div class="c-footer__wrap"> <div class="c-footer__section"> <section class="c-footer__content"> <nav class="c-footer__nav"> <ul class="c-footer__nav-list grid"> <li class="c-footer__nav-item grid__item one-whole large--one-quarter"> <div class="e-link-list"> <a href="/news/" class="c-footer__link-list-heading" data-footer-nav-link="" data-gtm-event-label="News">News</a> <ul class="c-footer__link-list"> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/news/news-releases/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Enterprise News">Enterprise News</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/news/media-resources/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Media Resources">Media Resources</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/membership/ana-periodicals/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="ANA Journals">ANA Journals</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="c-footer__nav-item grid__item one-whole large--one-quarter"> <div class="e-link-list"> <a href="/contact-us/" class="c-footer__link-list-heading" data-footer-nav-link="" data-gtm-event-label="Contact us">Contact us</a> <ul class="c-footer__link-list"> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/ana-enterprise-jobs/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="American Nurses Enterprise Jobs">American Nurses Enterprise Jobs</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/contact-us/advertising-with-ana/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Advertise with ANA">Advertise with ANA</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/contact-us/copyright-permission/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Copyright or Trademark Request">Copyright or Trademark Request</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/resources/career-center/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Career Center">Career Center</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="c-footer__nav-item grid__item one-whole large--one-quarter"> <div class="e-link-list"> <a href="/ana-enterprise/about-us/" class="c-footer__link-list-heading" data-footer-nav-link="" data-gtm-event-label="About Us">About Us</a> <ul class="c-footer__link-list"> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/ana-enterprise/about-us/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="About American Nurses Enterprise">About American Nurses Enterprise</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/ana/about-ana/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="About ANA">About ANA</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/ancc/about-ancc/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="About ANCC">About ANCC</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/foundation/about-fnd/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="About American Nurses Foundation">About American Nurses Foundation</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item"> <a class="c-footer__link-list-link" href="/faqs/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="FAQs">FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="c-footer__nav-item grid__item one-whole large--one-quarter"> <div class="e-link-list"> <a href="/social/" class="c-footer__link-list-heading"> Social Media <span data-toggle-heading="" data-index="3"></span> </a> <ul class="c-footer__link-list"> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item c-footer__link-list-item--icon"> <a href="https://twitter.com/ANANursingWorld" class="c-footer__link-list-link icon icon--icon-twitter-x" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Twitter"> <span class="sr-only">X</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item c-footer__link-list-item--icon"> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-nurses-association" class="c-footer__link-list-link icon icon--icon-linkedin" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="LinkedIn"> <span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item c-footer__link-list-item--icon"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmericanNursesAssociation/" class="c-footer__link-list-link icon icon--icon-facebook" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Facebook"> <span class="sr-only">Facebook</span> </a> </li> <li class="c-footer__link-list-item c-footer__link-list-item--icon"> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nursesmatter" class="c-footer__link-list-link icon icon--icon-youtube" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Youtube"> <span class="sr-only">Youtube</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="c-footer__back-to-top"> <a href="#top" class="e-back-to-top" title="Back to top" data-back-to-top="" data-require="./src/views/scroll-to-top-view"> <span class="e-back-to-top__text">Top</span> </a> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="c-footer__wrap--dark cf"> <section class="c-footer__secondary"> <div class="c-footer__section c-footer__section--dark"> <section class="c-footer__content grid grid--full"> <div class="c-footer__content-item grid__item one-whole large--one-quarter"> <nav class="c-footer__entities-nav"> <span class="c-footer__entities-nav-link"> <img class="c-footer__entities-nav-logo" src="/assets/img/logos/ana-lockup-white.svg" alt="ANA Logos"> </span> </nav> </div> <div class="c-footer__content-item grid__item one-whole large--one-half push--large--one-quarter"> <aside class="c-footer__copyright"> ©American Nurses Association, ©American Nurses Credentialing Center, ©American Nurses Foundation. All rights reserved </aside> <nav class="c-footer__utility-nav"> <ul class="c-footer__utility-nav-list"> <li class="c-footer__utility-nav-item"> <a class="c-footer__utility-nav-link" href="/accessibility/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Accessibility">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__utility-nav-item"> <a class="c-footer__utility-nav-link" href="/privacy/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Privacy">Privacy</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__utility-nav-item"> <a class="c-footer__utility-nav-link" href="/legal/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Legal">Legal</a> </li> <li class="c-footer__utility-nav-item"> <a class="c-footer__utility-nav-link" href="/" data-footer-nav-link data-gtm-event-label="Sitemap">Sitemap</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </section> </div> </section> </div> </footer> <div style="display:none;" data-gtm-content-groups-info="" data-gtm-content-groups-brand="" data-gtm-content-groups-theme="" data-gtm-content-groups-audience="" data-gtm-content-groups-userpurpose="" data-gtm-content-groups-topic=""> </div> <div style="display:none;" data-gtm-personalisation-info="" data-gtm-personalisation-checkedroles="" data-gtm-personalisation-oldcart="No" data-gtm-personalisation-hasmembershipprice="No" data-gtm-personalisation-state="-"> </div> <div class="e-lightbox-source"> <div data-lightbox-src="addedtocartconfirmation"> <h3>Item(s) added to cart</h3> <a href="/cart/" class="e-button e-button--anchor e-button--blue e-button">Go to cart</a> <a href="#" class="e-button e-button--anchor e-button--blue e-button" data-modal-close="">Continue Shopping</a> </div> </div> <script src="/bundles/jquery"></script> <script src="/bundles/jqueryui"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.youtube.com/iframe_api"></script> <script src="/assets/js/entry.js" asp-append-version="true"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> _linkedin_partner_id = "47745"; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids = window._linkedin_data_partner_ids || []; window._linkedin_data_partner_ids.push(_linkedin_partner_id); </script><script type="text/javascript"> (function(l) { if (!l){window.lintrk = function(a,b){window.lintrk.q.push([a,b])}; window.lintrk.q=[]} var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; var b = document.createElement("script"); b.type = "text/javascript";b.async = true; b.src = "https://snap.licdn.com/li.lms-analytics/insight.min.js"; s.parentNode.insertBefore(b, s);})(window.lintrk); </script> <noscript> <img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src=https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=47745&fmt=gif /> </noscript>  <script defer="defer" src="/Util/Find/epi-util/find.js"></script> <script> document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',function(){if(typeof FindApi === 'function'){var api = new FindApi();api.setApplicationUrl('/');api.setServiceApiBaseUrl('/find_v2/');api.processEventFromCurrentUri();api.bindWindowEvents();api.bindAClickEvent();api.sendBufferedEvents();}}) </script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://platform-api.sharethis.com/js/sharethis.js#property=656744663bcaed00121fca7a&product=inline-share-buttons&source=platform" async="async"></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | ANA