What Can You Do with an LVN License in 2025?

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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What is an LVN license?

An LVN license is a state-granted credential that authorizes you to provide skilled, direct patient care. It offers the fastest route to becoming a licensed clinical professional. The core difference between nursing roles can be thought of this way: CNAs primarily comfort, LVNs treat by administering medications and wound care, and RNs manage, developing care plans and delegating tasks.

Your Scope of Practice

The specific tasks an LVN can perform are legally defined by each state's Nurse Practice Act. This regulatory framework ensures a clear and well-defined role, which is a key advantage. It allows you to master essential clinical skills within a secure and structured environment.

What jobs can I get with an LVN license?

While many LVNs work in long-term care facilities, this only accounts for 32% of LPN/VNs indicating their primary nursing practice position in 2024. The majority—nearly 70%—work in other settings. You can find roles like Staff LVN in hospitals, Clinic Nurse in physician's offices, or Treatment Nurse specializing in wound care. In some facilities, you can also hold leadership positions like Charge Nurse, demonstrating significant responsibility.

Beyond the Bedside: Specialized and Non-Traditional Roles

Your clinical knowledge can open doors to roles beyond direct patient care. Consider positions in utilization review for insurance companies, correctional nursing, or vocational instruction. These roles leverage your expertise in different environments, offering pathways for career longevity and appealing to those who may want a less physically demanding job later in their career. A nursing career can lead to highly advanced fields; those interested can even find an accelerated MSN in forensic nursing online.

How much can you earn with an LVN license? 

The median annual salary for LVNs was $62,340 in May 2024. However, your earning potential with an LVN license can vary significantly. While the lowest 10% earned less than $47,960, the highest 10% earned more than $80,510. The key factors influencing your pay are your location, your experience, and, most importantly, your work setting. Understanding these nuances helps you make smarter career choices.

Where You Work Matters: The LVN Pay Inversion

Contrary to common belief, hospitals are not always the highest-paying employers for LVNs. In fact, data shows that government positions offer a median annual wage of $66,370, and nursing and residential care facilities provide $64,170. Hospitals, by comparison, often pay around $59,200. This "pay inversion" reflects the increased responsibility and autonomy often found in government and long-term care settings. For nurses weighing career advancement, understanding the reasons to get your DNP degree can help align your financial goals with the right work environment.

What is the job outlook for graduates of  LVN programs?

The job outlook is exceptionally stable. An estimated 54,000 job openings for LVNs are projected each year for the next decade. While overall employment is projected to grow about 3% from 2023 to 2033, the sheer number of annual openings due to retirements and career transitions indicates a very high and consistent demand for new graduates. This presents a confident career path with lasting opportunities.

The 'Why' Behind the Demand

This stability isn't a short-term trend. It's driven by major demographic shifts, particularly the aging of the U.S. population. With 98% of nursing homes reporting hiring difficulties, and a projected 30.3 million older Americans needing care by 2050, the need for skilled LVNs is set to remain critical for decades to come. This robust demand ensures that your skills will be highly valued and continually sought after in the healthcare field.

Where can I work with an LVN license?

You can work as an LVN in every state, across a diverse range of healthcare settings. Common employment settings include nursing homes, hospitals, physician offices, and home health services.

While employment is highest in large states like California (79,610 jobs) and Texas (59,060 jobs), the highest-paying jobs are not always found in these locations. Nurses considering further education may find it useful to review the masters in nursing education salary to guide their career and relocation decisions.

What skills do you need for LVN jobs?

LVN jobs require a blend of essential hard clinical skills and crucial soft skills. You'll need proficiency in medication administration, wound care, catheterization, and monitoring patient vital signs. Beyond these technical competencies, compassion, strong communication, and critical thinking are equally vital. In fact, 69% of LPNs reported making clinical decisions "every day," highlighting the significant judgment required in the role.

Adapting to Modern Healthcare

The healthcare field is rapidly integrating technology, making digital literacy a core competency for LVNs. You will regularly use Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and other digital tools. This trend presents an opportunity for tech-savvy individuals and offers potential pathways to less physically demanding roles, such as nursing informatics, for those considering long-term career shifts. Exploring options like shortest post master's certificate nursing informatics online can further future-proof your career.

What are the education requirements to enroll in an LVN program?

To enroll in an LVN program, you typically need a high school diploma or GED. The core educational requirement is the completion of a state-approved certificate or diploma program, which usually takes about 12 months. It is critically important to choose an accredited program to ensure your eligibility for the NCLEX-PN exam and subsequent state licensure. This foundational step is non-negotiable for your career.

The Standard Pathway to Practice

The academic landscape for LVNs is primarily focused on vocational and community colleges offering these practical, year-long programs. These institutions are designed to provide the hands-on training and theoretical knowledge required for the profession.

Data confirms this, as 75% of LPNs hold a vocational or practical certificate as their highest nursing education. Bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) set the standards for quality education, guiding you toward a program that properly prepares you for success.

What alternative paths are available for LVNs? 

The main alternatives to pursuing an LVN license are either remaining a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to become an RN directly. These options aren't mutually exclusive but represent different starting points on your nursing career path. For those aiming to specialize further, exploring careers with a pediatric nurse practitioner graduate certificate can help map out long-term opportunities beyond the LVN role. The LVN path is often the optimal middle ground for those who prioritize a fast track to a licensed role and the ability to "earn while you learn."

Considering Your Starting Point

Choosing between a CNA, LVN, or direct RN path depends on your immediate goals and long-term aspirations. While CNA roles provide valuable foundational experience, they are not licensed positions and have a more limited scope of practice.

For those considering starting as a CNA, resources like shortest certified nursing assistant online programs are available. Starting directly with an ADN or BSN offers a broader scope of practice from day one but typically requires a longer initial educational commitment before entering the workforce. The LVN route provides licensure and professional clinical experience much sooner.

What career paths are available to graduates with an LVN license?

With an LVN license, you have two primary career paths available: the Path of Mastery or the Path of Mobility. It’s a misconception that the only reason to get an LVN is to become an RN. Both paths are valid and strategic choices. The Path of Mastery involves specializing and excelling as a career LVN, while the Path of Mobility uses the license as a stepping stone to an RN degree, often through bridge programs. The data on first-time U.S. licenses shows that vocational/practical certificates are a significant entry point into the nursing profession.

Choosing Your Professional Direction

The Path of Mastery allows you to deeply engage with patient care, gain extensive experience, and potentially take on leadership roles within specific settings, such as becoming a Charge Nurse in a long-term care facility. This path offers stability and fulfillment for those who thrive in direct patient care. The Path of Mobility leverages your LVN experience and credits toward an accelerated RN program. This approach is highly efficient, allowing you to work and gain experience while pursuing your next educational goal. Many bridge programs exist, much like shortest medical assistant to rn program online, offering tailored pathways to advance your nursing career.

How do you get started on your LVN license? 

Getting started on your LVN license involves a straightforward, four-step process.

1. First, find an accredited program that meets your state's requirements.
2. Second, successfully complete your chosen LVN program.
3. Third, pass the NCLEX-PN exam, which is a standardized test for licensure.
4. Finally, apply for state licensure with your respective State Board of Nursing.

Graduating from your program is a huge accomplishment, but it's not the last step before you can practice.

Navigating the Licensing Process

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) develops the NCLEX-PN, ensuring a consistent standard for entry-level nursing practice. Once licensed, the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) offers a massive benefit: it allows LVNs to practice in multiple compact states without obtaining additional licenses, significantly increasing your career flexibility and geographic mobility. This is a huge opportunity for mobile professionals, and specific bridge programs, such as shortest paramedic to RN online, further exemplify pathways for career changers.

What advancement opportunities are available after an LVN license? 

The next step after obtaining an LVN license is to aspire to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), typically through an LVN-to-RN bridge program. This is not starting over from scratch.

These bridge programs are specifically designed to be accelerated, giving you credit for your existing knowledge and clinical experience.

In fact, 16% of RNs were employed in a health-related job prior to their first nursing degree, with 16% having been an LPN/LVN.

Strategic Pathways to Further Your Education

A significant opportunity to advance your education is through employer tuition reimbursement programs. Many healthcare facilities offer these benefits to combat the ongoing nursing shortage by investing in their existing workforce.

This can provide a critical financial pathway for you to progress your career with minimal personal debt. Additionally, nurses curious about future roles may explore what can you do with a nurse administrator graduate certificate to understand potential leadership opportunities.

Furthermore, the median age of LPN/VNs was 50 in 2024, demonstrating that nursing is a welcoming and sustainable career for mature entrants and that career growth is possible at any stage of life.

 Is an LVN license worth it?

Yes, an LVN license is absolutely worth it. It offers the fastest return on investment into a stable, licensed nursing profession with clear, proven pathways for future growth. While some may assume a BSN is always the better choice from the start, the LVN path is a strategic entry point. It allows you to gain immediate experience and begin earning, all while positioning yourself for further advancement if you choose. The highest level of nursing education for many nurses actually shows a variety of educational paths taken across the profession.

Your Strategic Career Choice

An LVN license represents a smart, immediate investment, providing essential clinical skills and job security with a median annual wage of $62,340.

Likewise, it offers a secure, fulfilling, and welcoming career move, supported by high demand and opportunities for professional growth at any age.

Whether you want to become a dedicated LVN or plan to become an RN, this credential empowers you with a valuable and resilient skillset in a high-demand field. The decision ultimately depends on your personal goals and preferred timeline for career development.

Here’s What Graduates Have to Say about Their LVN License

Other Things You Should Know About an LVN License

How much does an LVN program cost, and is financial aid available?

The cost of an LVN program can vary widely, typically ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for tuition. This doesn't usually include books, uniforms, or exam fees. Many students qualify for financial aid, including federal grants, student loans, and scholarships, to help manage these expenses. It's wise to research options thoroughly to make your LVN license path affordable.

Can you complete an LVN program entirely online?

While the clinical components of an LVN program require hands-on experience in person, many programs offer hybrid formats. These programs allow you to complete theoretical coursework online, providing flexibility for those balancing other commitments. This blend of online learning and in-person clinicals can make pursuing your LVN license more accessible.

What is the NCLEX-PN exam, and how do you prepare for it?

The NCLEX-PN is the standardized national exam you must pass to become a licensed practical or vocational nurse. It's a comprehensive test that assesses your entry-level nursing competence. Preparation typically involves dedicated study, practice questions, and review courses to ensure you're ready for the adaptive format of the exam.

Do LVN licenses transfer between states?

An LVN license is state-specific, meaning you must apply for licensure in each state where you intend to practice. However, many states participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which allows nurses to practice in other NLC states without obtaining a new license. Always check with the specific State Board of Nursing for their current requirements and NLC status to understand your mobility options.