Would you like to know what is required to obtain a license as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)? Just as with most other careers today, for you to become a licensed vocational nurse, you will need to fulfill various requirements to obtain licensing. While this varies slightly from state to state, the common LVN license requirements are described below.
Education and Training
The main requirement to obtaining an LVN license is completing an approved training program offered by an accredited educational facility. You can acquire your training from a community college, vocational/technical school or university. While some schools offer one-year programs, you can broaden your employment opportunities if you seek out an associate degree in nursing.
When choosing an educational facility for your required training, you will want to make sure that the LVN program it offers is approved for training by your state's Board of Nursing. You will also want to ensure that the facility is accredited by a well-regarded accrediting institution.
The NCLEX-PN Exam
The second most important requirement to obtaining your LVN license is successful passing of the NCLEX-PN Exam. The goal of this exam is to evaluate your skills in the nursing field. The NCLEX-PN Exam is developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and it is administered at various locations throughout the year.
If you successfully pass your licensing exam, you can be licensed as an LVN by your state's Board of Nursing. This is a two-part test, and you must pass both portions to be eligible for licensing. You will be given up to five hours to complete the test, and before you pass, you will need to submit your fingerprints, a recent photo and current licensing fees to obtain your license.
State Variations
In some states, you may need to complete various other requirements before you can obtain an LVN license. To find out your state's miscellaneous requirements, you can contact your state's Board of Nursing.
Working as an LVN is a rewarding experience, both financially and emotionally. By fulfilling all of the above requirements, you can obtain your LVN license and begin working in the field in no time at all.
