lpn vs. lvn

U.S.A. California

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Hey guys. Im bout half way to getting my lpn licence in NY. My husbands stationed here with the army. But we are supposed to be moving back to CA in bout a year . Is there any difference between the lpn and lvn licence or are they interchangeable? Any information would be most helpful, thanks.

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Specializes in Perioperative, ACU, Hospice.

It's my understanding that the terms LVN and LPN are interchangeable. It's just that certain states, California being one of them, use the term 'Vocational Nurse' instead of 'Practical Nurse.'

Good luck with your move!:specs:

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LVN/LPN same type of license. CA and TX use to call it LVN however, I believe TX now uses the LPN so CA is the lone holdout.

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Specializes in Home health, Cardiac Tele, Doc's office.

This is from the California BVNPT http://www.bvnpt.ca.gov/licensing/application_for_vocational_nurse_licensure_by_endorsement.shtml this is for endorsement. Note plan ahead, it says it can take 10-12 weeks to process, and you have to give fingerprints for a DOJ check, which can take a while.

Important Information

A temporary license may be issued upon request, only after the evaluation has been completed and the application has been approved for licensure; including receipt of the fingerprint clearance from DOJ. Applicants must keep this in mind when submitting their application.

You must possess a current license in another U.S. State or territory to be eligible for licensure by endorsement in California.

You must have taken the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) or the National League for Nursing State Board Test Pool Examination for Practical Nurse (SBTPE) and passed said exam with a score equal to or above the minimum passing score required by this Board to be eligible for licensure by endorsement in California.

The Board must received the criminal history report back from the DOJ prior to issuance of any license. This includes temporary licenses. The DOJ processing time is currently a minimum of 8-12 weeks. Applicants must keep this in mind when submitting their application.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

The LVN (licensed vocational nurse) and the LPN (licensed practical nurse) are exactly the same type of nurse. California and Texas simply refer to their basic nurses as LVNs, while the remaining 48 states use the LPN title.

CA and TX use to call it LVN however, I believe TX now uses the LPN so CA is the lone holdout.
Texas still uses the LVN title when referring to their basic nurses. I completed my VN education in California and have been working as an LVN in Texas for the past 3-and-a-half years.
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