Nursing Degrees That Lead To The Practical Nurse License (LPN)

Many individuals, including nurses, make uninformed comments such as, "LPNs don't have degrees." The purpose of this article is to dispel a few misconceptions regarding practical nursing education in the United States. Contrary to popular beliefs, many LPNs have earned degrees just like their RN counterparts. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

I am assured that some of you have overheard healthcare workers, colleagues, classmates, or members of the public make one of the following statements at one time or another: "The LPN is a only a certificate program." "LPNs do not have degrees." "Why don't they just become RNs?"

Many pervasive misconceptions exist regarding the education and training of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the United States. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, a licensed practical nurse is defined as a person who has undergone training and obtained a license to provide routine care to the sick. Each LPN's scope of practice is heavily dependent on the state where he/she practices. Some states permit LPNs to practice under a wide scope of practice; on the other hand, other states place weighty restrictions on their practice.

A person who wishes to train to become a licensed practical nurse may select from three educational pathways. Certificate/diploma programs, associate degree programs, and successful challenging of the state boards are the three primary ways in which one may enter this rewarding profession in the U.S.

The first (and most popular) method of entry into a practical nursing career is the completion of a state-approved program that results in a certificate or diploma upon graduation. In fact, the vast majority of LPNs in the United States have been trained at the certificate/diploma level. These types of programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, technical colleges, adult education centers, and private for-profit institutions of higher learning. Graduates of certificate/diploma programs must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which is the exam that leads to state licensure as a practical nurse.

The second pathway to a practical nursing career is the completion of a state-approved program that leads to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree in practical nursing. Many people are unaware that some LPNs have earned associate degrees. Associate degree programs are typically offered at community colleges and technical colleges. Graduates of associate degree programs must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) before licensure as a practical nurse will be granted.

Finally, very few states allow qualified individuals with many years of experience as military medics or certified nursing assistants to challenge the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) in lieu of completing a practical nursing program. Persons with acceptable experience who pass the NCLEX-PN will be issued state licensure that permits them to secure employment as practical nurses. People who select this method might find it impossible to obtain nursing licensure in other states via the endorsement process because they have not completed formal training programs.

The licensed practical nurse is a trained professional who contributes added value to healthcare in America. Please do not be afraid to correct the next person who makes a false statement regarding the education and training of LPNs. Together we are capable of clearing up the misconceptions that surround practical nursing in the United States. Each person must do their part to eradicate the myths.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Is there a link for the LPN challenge option?
California allows the option to challenge the boards. West Virginia used to allow this option, but I do not know if their board of nursing still allows it. If you're interested, you can visit the website of the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians to find more information.

i read the same discussion about LPN is not degree, but before i answered the topic was closed.

I personally disagree that statement. I went to community college and earned AAS in practical nursing and took all the general courses that a RN degree requires. I have also taken an IV certification which i started, discontinued and managed all the IV lines that i have started as a PN student in my clinicals. And in that same hospital i did my clinicals, LPNs practiced in all area including MedSurg, psych, peds, family birth center, clinic and etc.. so in my opinion, it depends on where u have taken your program. At this time, i am taking a nursing track that is one year and it is LPN-BSN, and because i have taken all my generals in the PN program, i don't have take any more general education..

I honestly had no idea LPN's could have associate degrees in the US. I have never met another LPN that had anything but a certifications. Even our community colleges do not issue associates to LPN's. LPN's are way under utilized in today's nursing field. All of this everyone must have a bachelors then a masters then a blah blah stuff gets old. I am getting my RN so I can actually have options instead of being limited to LPN or RN. But I am done after I get it...no desire to manage other nurses or become a NP.

The thing is we ARE nurses as called by all of our BON's so I am not sure why we are pretty much compared to the skill level of PCA's. I actually had a military hospital call me the other day for a PCA job. They actually consider LPN's to basically have no more scope than a PCA. I declined. If the health field in general is going to

Keep scaling back the LPN role then quite honestly they need to get rid of the LPN licenses and just make it RN because the different amount if schooling between a pct and a LPN are huge and I constantly see that comparison that they are the same.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
i read the same discussion about LPN is not degree, but before i answered the topic was closed.

I personally disagree that statement. I went to community college and earned AAS in practical nursing and took all the general courses that a RN degree requires. I have also taken an IV certification which i started, discontinued and managed all the IV lines that i have started as a PN student in my clinicals. And in that same hospital i did my clinicals, LPNs practiced in all area including MedSurg, psych, peds, family birth center, clinic and etc.. so in my opinion, it depends on where u have taken your program. At this time, i am taking a nursing track that is one year and it is LPN-BSN, and because i have taken all my generals in the PN program, i don't have take any more general education..

I attempted to clarify this at one time as well. I didn't get a certificate as well. There are programs that offer associates degrees, and was a direct way to assist in getting prereq's to transfer into a BSN program in my area, but they did end these programs a while ago, which is very unfortunate.

I think that this should be the rule in terms of education for LPNs. We are utilized in many aspects, and are going no where. :)

That is crazy, I can get PCA certified in 2 weeks here, but LPN is 18 months. How can they even come close to the same scope of practice?

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
That is crazy I can get PCA certified in 2 weeks here, but LPN is 18 months. How can they even come close to the same scope of practice?[/quote']

They don't...PCA is closer to a CNA in terms of scope, where as LPNs have a much broader scope; assessment or data collection in a LPN scope; medication administration, wound care, planning, reinforcing patient teaching, on addition to the scope of a PCA's ADL care.

PCA and LPN are not the same in any case whether is schooling or scope of practice. And to say so, is slap on face to someone who did almost three years in school and Earned AAS degree. Do i think is not fair to LPNs not get the respect as a nurse, yes i do.. but i know that the degree exists and is not same or even close to PCA.. IN my state we work side to side with the RNs and get as much number of patients as the RN gets. the only difference is that if you have LPN diploma then your practice is gonna be limited because int he diploma, they don't get IV certification, but the AAs LPN are full nurses who could practice in longterm care facility or anywhere else a nurse could practice...

you are right about that. i think they should get rid of it for the matter of the NCLEX to me at least. Because what they teach us in school doesn't correspond to board exam. they pressure us in hospital setting care in school and in the nclex is the opposite. on the other hand, the schooling is waste of time for pay rate that you will get uppon graduation. in my area, you cannot go straight RN without being LPN first unless u go to University. and that is not fair.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
the only difference is that if you have LPN diploma then your practice is gonna be limited because int he diploma they don't get IV certification, but the AAs LPN are full nurses who could practice in longterm care facility or anywhere else a nurse could practice...[/quote']

^ Just want to clarify...ANY education that leads to licensure as a LPN or a RN is a "full nurse"...if LPNs are able to access IVs, it's because of licensure and/or facility scope

Friends can u help me . I am Asian bachelor of science on nursing want to do LPN programme am I eligible

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Friends can u help me . I am Asian bachelor of science on nursing want to do LPN programme am I eligible

Why? BSN generally leads to RN. LPN is a vocational program

LPNS do recieve IV certifcation depending on the state. In OHIO we start our IV certification in just a few weeks.