What is the Difference Between LPN and LVN?
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Many people ask, "What's the difference between LPNs and LVNs?" The intended purpose of this article is to satisfactorily answer this frequently asked question.
by TheCommuter Asst. Admin Sep 22, '12
First of all, LPN is a commonly used acronym that stands for licensed practical nurse. According to Johnson (n.d.), a licensed practical nurse is an entry-level nursing professional who strengthens the health care team by caring for basic patient needs.
LPNs are utilized in different types of health care settings in the United States, Canada, and several other countries to provide nursing care to a wide range of patient populations. In the United States, the nurse practice acts of most state boards of nursing explicitly declare that LPNs must work under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse (RN). This supervision can be direct, indirect, or remote depending on the state in which the nurse is practicing. After all, the LPN is very often the only licensed nurse physically present in many health care facilities, home health visits, or private duty cases on certain shifts even though a physician or RN is always available during these hours by telephone.
LVN is another widely used acronym that stands for licensed vocational nurse. So, what is the difference between the LPN and the LVN? Other than the geographical locations involved, no significant differences exists between LPNs and LVNs.
No major differences in educational preparation, licensure, role, or skill set exist between the LVN and the LPN designation. In other words, they are the exact same type of nurse. The boards of nursing in the US states of California and Texas refer to basic nurses as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), while the various boards in the remaining 48 states use the title of licensed practical nurse (LPN) to refer to their basic nurses.
For instance, the LPN who lives and works in Seattle, Washington has decided to relocate to Los Angeles. Once he obtains a California license by endorsement and starts working in his new city of residence, his official title is now 'LVN.' However, if he ever moved back to Seattle or relocated to any US state that used the 'LPN' title to refer to basic nurses, his title would automatically change back to 'LPN' as long as he continued to keep his Washington LPN license in active status or obtained licensure in other states.
I was an LVN for approximately four years and was initially licensed in the state of California prior to attaining licensure by endorsement in Texas. However, I had to obtain an Oklahoma license because I made plans to attend an RN completion program in that state. After my endorsement application was approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, I possessed two LVN licenses and one LPN license.Last edit by Joe V on Sep 22, '12
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Article Information
TheCommuter is a moderator of allnurses.com and has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a registered nurse.
APA Style Citation
TheCommuter. (Sep 22, '12). What is the Difference Between LPN and LVN?. Retrieved Friday, May 24, 2013, from http://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=788064
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Sep 22, '12 by lvn2bsoonQuote from TheCommuterI had an LVN license in CA, and I am an LPN in CO. No difference. Great writing, Commuter!First of all, LPN is a commonly used acronym that stands for licensed practical nurse. According to Johnson (n.d.), a licensed practical nurse is an entry-level nursing professional who strengthens the health care team by caring for basic patient needs.
LPNs are utilized in different types of health care settings in the United States, Canada, and several other countries to provide nursing care to a wide range of patient populations. In the United States, the nurse practice acts of most state boards of nursing explicitly declare that LPNs must work under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse (RN). This supervision can be direct, indirect, or remote depending on the state in which the nurse is practicing. After all, the LPN is very often the only licensed nurse physically present in many health care facilities, home health visits, or private duty cases on certain shifts even though a physician or RN is always available during these hours by telephone.
LVN is another widely used acronym that stands for licensed vocational nurse. So, what is the difference between the LPN and the LVN? Other than the geographical locations involved, no significant differences exists between LPNs and LVNs.
No major differences in educational preparation, licensure, role, or skill set exist between the LVN and the LPN designation. In other words, they are the exact same type of nurse. The boards of nursing in the US states of California and Texas refer to basic nurses as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), while the various boards in the remaining 48 states use the title of licensed practical nurse (LPN) to refer to their basic nurses.
For instance, the LPN who lives and works in Seattle, Washington has decided to relocate to Los Angeles. Once he obtains a California license by endorsement and starts working in his new city of residence, his official title is now 'LVN.' However, if he ever moved back to Seattle or relocated to any US state that used the 'LPN' title to refer to basic nurses, his title would automatically change back to 'LPN' as long as he continued to keep his Washington LPN license in active status or obtained licensure in other states.
I was an LVN for approximately four years and was initially licensed in the state of California prior to attaining licensure by endorsement in Texas. However, I had to obtain an Oklahoma license because I made plans to attend an RN completion program in that state. After my endorsement application was approved by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, I possessed two LVN licenses and one LPN license.
RESOURCES
Johnson, K. (n.d.). What Is An LPN Allowed To Do? EHow. Retrieved September 22, 2012, from What Is an LPN Allowed to Do? | eHow.com -
Sep 22, '12 by spectrabriteI am a CA LVN and working on my Florida endorsement paperwork to be a FL LPN. Its all the same. -
Sep 26, '12 by gypsynurseIn Florida I am an LPN.... in Ontario Canada , I am an RPN, again pretty much the same thing... (Registered Practical Nurse) -
Sep 26, '12 by handsomenurse2012how do you apply for it? coz im a nurse in the philippines and just migrated here in california. -
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Oct 2, '12 by ThePrincessBrideI figured it they were the same. Kind of like how PCAs and CNAs are the same job different title. -
Oct 2, '12 by StrawberrykoolQuote from ThePrincessBrideSame job different title and different pay alsoI figured it they were the same. Kind of like how PCAs and CNAs are the same job different title. -
Oct 3, '12 by vintagemotherIs the nclex pn the same test as the nclex VN? I ask this because I'm a Californian and all of the test prep books I've seen refer to the nclex pn? If you can recommend a good prep book for california, I'd love a reccomendation! Thanks!
