How Long Does It Take To Become an LVN: Studies, Certifications, & Requirements
Roles in healthcare can vary in responsibilities and duties, but it goes without saying that each healthcare professional is an essential part that unifies the industry. As such, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are a crucial part of medical teams. They continuously work together under the supervision of nurses and doctors in order to provide the best healthcare services for their patients.
Becoming an LVN allows graduates to get experience and work out whether nursing is a good fit before committing to a longer program. Eventually, after working in this field for one or two years, many LVNs return to earn their bachelor's degree. This can help them advance even further in their career in nursing. But, if you are looking to kickstart a career in the nursing field, the LVN route can be a quicker and less expensive path to employment. Here is how it typically works.
How Long Does It Take To Be an LVN?
The main path to becoming an LPN involves completing a certification program, passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX), and then applying for a job. Altogether, it will take anywhere from one year to a little over two years to meet the requirements needed to start working as an LPN.
Interested in pursuing an LVN degree in California?
Fill out the form and get all the detailed information you need regarding your chosen program.
LVN program overview
LPN/LVN education prepares graduates to apply nursing skills in healthcare settings, in order to promote healing and patient care. Schools also focus on creating ethically driven professionals who work within the legal boundaries of LPN/LVN professional practices. Through these programs, students learn to provide high-quality care and examine the best strategies for developing care plans for specific populations.
Accredited LVN programs are typically offered through technical schools and community colleges. In a nutshell, an LPN/LVN program will provide a well-rounded education for a student who is just getting started in the field of nursing.
Admission requirements
Students should note that requirements vary by institution. Applicants are usually required to have either a high school diploma or GED certificate and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Some programs may require applicants to take the TEAS exam (Test of Essential Academic Skills.) A vocational nursing applicant may also need to provide letters of recommendation and a resume that will help to set them apart from the competition.
Curriculum
LVN programs are typically divided into academic, laboratory, and clinical components, which allow students to examine nursing competencies and theories. The academic component consists of theoretical lectures and work inside the classroom that covers various topics of the nursing field. The lab component involves training on practical skills such as monitoring vitals and interesting catheters and IVs. The clinical component is the hands-on experience on a hospital site which students get either through shadowing nurses or by simulated clinical experience.
The topics that aspiring LVNs will be familiarized with through a vocational nursing program typically include the following:
Fundamentals of nursing
Anatomy of the human body
Medications
Processes of disease
The following are typical courses focused on specialized caregiving:
Mental health nursing
Maternal and pediatric nursing
Geriatric nursing
The hands-on experience before entering the field is also a critical component in becoming an LVN. Therefore, the LPN/LVN curriculum includes multiple practicum experiences that amount to over 1,500 hours.
How long is the LVN program?
An LPN/LVN certificate program usually takes one year to complete, including 500-750 hours of requisite clinical experience depending on state requirements. Factors affecting the timeframe include full-time or part-time enrollment, the number of clinical hours required by the school and state, and whether students need to fulfill any general education requirements.
License
Graduates of the program are prepared to sit for the state Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Vocational Nursing (VN). Taking and passing the NCLEX is a requirement before you can get your LPN/LVN license to practice nursing. Before you can take the test, you’ll need permission from your state board of nursing. There are 205 questions on the exam and you have to answer a minimum of 85. The test is computerized and you’ll receive your results in about six weeks after you take the exam.
Passing the NCLEX will allow you to receive your license as long as you’ve also met any other requirements and paid all the fees. Your results will be sent to your state board of nursing, which can then send your license to you.
Employment Rates
Nursing jobs in general are almost always in demand, as there are various factors that contribute to the necessity of healthcare service. These factors include the ageing population, the rise of overall longevity, and the high retirement rates for a segment of the nursing workforce.
LVNs, as well, are in-demand roles in the nursing industry, waiting to be filled by competent individuals who complete the necessary requirements and qualifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL), employment rates for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected to grow by 9 percent (2019-2029). This growth is faster than the average for all occupations, which further demonstrates the necessity for qualified LVNs in the workforce.
Career Advancement
Professionals who earn LPN or LVN credentials before entering RN programs gain more experience, which creates a competitive edge when applying to associate’s degree (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs. However, an LPN certificate comes with limitations in the field. For instance, LPNs do not qualify for leadership opportunities and cannot work in as many settings as RNs. LPNs must work under licensed professionals at all times.
Vocational Nursing Program
The vocational nursing programs at Pacific College are approved by California’s Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) through May 10, 2022.
While the duties of an LVN can be limited in comparison to registered nurses, the path to becoming an LVN is significantly quicker, therefore it is the perfect chance to get a head start in finding employment in the nursing field. From there, you will have plenty of opportunities to advance your career, all it takes is commitment and learning through experience.