LVN vs. LPN: Where do they differ and how to become one?
In a medical setting, the term "nurse" is frequently used to denote a variety of medical professionals, and patients often misinterpret any provider dressed in medical scrubs as a nurse.
The term "nurse" can be used in various ways, including registered nurse, school nurse, nurse practitioner, hospital nurse, licensed registered nurse anesthetist, licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, etc. While all of them have individual responsibilities, licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are used interchangeably. But are they the same?
In this article, we will explore what an LPN and LVN is, the differences between them, and how you can become one.
What is an LVN?
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide quality care and comfort to patients under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs). This includes a wide range of clinical duties and giving primary care and assistance to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, doctors' offices, and long-term care facilities.
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What is an LPN?
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a registered nurse who has completed an abbreviated amount of coursework and clinical hours. An LPN is responsible for more technical clinical procedures as well as primary patient care. A licensed practical nurse, just like a licensed vocational nurse, works in various medical institutions, including hospitals, doctors' offices, and long-term care homes, under the direction of a physician or a registered nurse.
What is the difference between LVN and LPN?
At this point, you may be asking what is the difference between LPN and LVN, or even if LVN and LPN the same? And the answer to your question would be yes!
Licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and licensed practical nurse (LPN) are terms interchangeably used for the same nursing profession. The employment responsibilities of an LPN and an LVN are nearly identical. The only real distinction is the name. California and Texas use the terminology Licensed Vocational Nurse, while the rest of the country uses the term Licensed Practical Nurse. So the title difference is just a matter of where you are.
Why do California and Texas use the Licensed Vocational Nurse titles?
Texas and California have two things in common. Both had their state-specific nursing exams for many years, and both states call entry-level nurses Licensed Vocational Nurses (or LVNs) while other states call them Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
Formal education preceded the practice of licensed practical or vocational nurses, and it's likely that the nursing educational programs first put the term vocational nurse into the vernacular. In California and Texas, vocational nurses were being trained in vocational programs, and the license title drew from the educational setting.
Can an LVN nurse work in other states?
LVN licenses are issued on a state-by-state basis; therefore, if you want to operate in a different state, you'll need to transfer your license to the new state.
If an LVN wishes to work in a state where the term LPN is used, they need to apply for Licensure By Endorsement just like any other LPN, and LVNs do not need to take any further steps.
What can you do as an LVN or LPN nurse?
The primary advantage of being an LPN/LVN is that you can finish these programs for a shorter period and start working right away in various medical institutions.
This guide explains the main responsibilities of LPNs/LVNs and the most common facilities they can work in.
The main responsibilities as an LPV/LPN nurse
Depending on the work setting, a licensed vocational or licensed practical nurse's tasks will vary. An LVN or LPN is more concerned with executing basic tasks. They typically keep track of a patient's health and give basic nursing care. They will also do exams and take vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, and breathing when necessary.
LVN/LPN responsibilities can include:
Obtaining information on the medical history of patients,
Monitoring vital indicators such as temperature, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration,
Keeping patient records up to date,
Assisting at the bedside,
Performing tests and procedures for other medical experts,
Administrating and organizing patient medication,
Noting any adverse side effects from drugs or therapies,
Bathing and dressing a patient as needed to make them as comfortable as possible,
Assisting with bandage changes, catheter insertion, and other primary nursing care for patients,
Cleaning and maintaining medical devices and equipment.
Where do LVN/LPNs work?
If you want to finish your studies fast and get started working straight away, a job as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is perfect.
In 2020, there were around 676,440 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses employed throughout the country.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow by 9 percent from 2020 to 2030. The growth is projected to create over 60,000 new jobs opening every year.
The LVN employment was scattered among various facilities with most LP nurses working in:
Nursing and residential care facilities
State, local, and private hospitals
Physicians' offices
Home healthcare services
Government
Blood banks
Prisons and detention centers
Dialysis clinics
Furthermore, the majority of licensed practical and vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) work full-time. Because medical treatment is provided at all hours, many professionals work nights, weekends, and holidays. They will also have to perform shifts that are longer than 8 hours.
How to become an LVN/LPN nurse?
In order to become an LVN/LPN, there are specific requirements you have to fulfill in terms of education and licensing. Below, we have explained the level of education and licensing required to become a licensed vocational or practical nurse.
Education
To become an LVN or LPN, you must first enroll in an LVN or LPN program at a community college or technical school. You may need to conduct some prior preparation depending on the institution and its requirements. Some programs, for example, require basic science courses in high school or college as a prerequisite, and admission usually requires a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED). LVN programs last at least one year and combine classroom instruction with supervised clinical practice in a healthcare setting.
Licensing
Before applying for LVN certification, graduates of the LVN/LPN program must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the NCLEX-PN exam, covering key entry-level nursing practice components. This exam will assist students in becoming licensed and qualified for LVN/LPN positions.
Medical training is required for Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse programs. Classroom learning and supervised clinical practice are also part of the training. Here's an example of what you'll be learning:
Physiology and anatomy
Pharmacology
Administration of medications
Legal and ethical responsibilities
Nutrition
Common disease processes
Preventative nursing care
Therapeutic nursing care
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, you may have posed the question of which is better LVN or LPN? And as explained above, LPN and LVN are terms interchangeably used for the same nursing profession; therefore, their value is the same. Regardless of the title used in different states, licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses play a crucial role in the medical field. They provide quality care and comfort and assist their patients in every basic need they may have.