Steps to become an LPN or LVN

The route has three stages: the program, the NCLEX-PN and the state license. Full-time practical nursing programs commonly run from about 45 weeks to a year. Part-time and evening programs take longer to finish.

After graduation, the graduate applies to the state board of nursing and registers for the NCLEX-PN. The board must approve the application before the graduate can schedule the exam. After a passing result, the board issues the license. The board's review and the exam add time beyond the program itself. Graduates can prepare by reviewing the exam's format and question types.

In most states, boards offer temporary permits to graduates, allowing them to begin work before the full license arrives. Five states do not offer permits, and rules vary by state. In total, the time from the first day of class to licensed work is about a year plus board processing. Graduates should confirm permit rules with their own state board before they accept a job.

Programs set their own entry requirements. Applicants generally need a high school diploma or an equivalent such as the GED. Programs commonly require an entrance test and a criminal background check. Students also need a current CPR card, usually a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, before clinical training begins.

After graduation, every state requires the NCLEX-PN. Kentucky and Texas also require a jurisprudence exam on state nursing law. Each state board of nursing sets its own application steps, so applicants should review the rules in the state where they plan to work. Most states also accept a multistate compact license; how the compact works matters only if you plan to move or travel.

Licensure carries several costs on top of tuition. NCLEX-PN registration is paid to Pearson VUE. State board application fees are required. Fingerprinting for the background check is a separate charge, and the amount depends on the state and the vendor it uses.

Practical nursing programs combine classroom study, lab practice and supervised clinical work. Students often face several major exams within the same few days. Students who check the course calendar early can plan study time before those weeks arrive.

Study partners are a common way to manage the workload. Partners can quiz each other and share notes from lectures and clinical shifts. In addition, people coming from other healthcare jobs can review which earlier skills employers count before they start.

People with no healthcare background often begin by contacting a local community college that offers a practical nursing program. A program advisor can explain entry requirements, schedules and the order of courses. This conversation also helps applicants confirm that the program is approved by the state board of nursing.

Many LPN students start as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). CNA work builds experience with patient care, basic vital signs and the routines of a care facility. A side-by-side look at how the CNA and LPN roles differ shows the added duties that come with the license.

Each program decides whether CNA training counts toward its requirements. Applicants should ask each school about credit for prior training and about evening or part-time schedules. These options are worth comparing across practical nursing programs in your area before you apply.