LVN to RN - What did you do with your LVN license?

DesertRN2, MSN, APRN · Oct 8, 2011

Just let it expire and go inactive...When would you ever use it again? You are an RN now you have no use for your LVN license. I just let my CA expire and AZ lets you go inactive w/o fees, so thats what I did.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Oct 8, 2011

I let mine expire. There is no advantage to keeping the LVN license. It's enough to have it on your job history when your on the hunt. :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I have LVN/LPN licenses in California, Texas, and Oklahoma. My CA license has been lapsed since 2007. My OK license has been lapsed since the beginning of this year.

My Texas LVN license is still current because, if I had allowed it to lapse, the BON would have audited me to see proof that I had completed all my CEUs for the past 4 years, and I do not want to deal with the hassle of an audit. It is cheaper to renew here in TX. I renewed both the LVN and the RN license for a flat rate of $110 for two years, which adds up to $55 per license.

agldragonRN · Oct 8, 2011

i am a new grad rn. i just realized my lvn license is expiring.
what did you lvns turned rns do with your lvn license?
did you pay the fees and fully renewed it or put it on inactive status?
in your state, are there pros to keeping the lvn license in addition to the rn license?
for you california folks, is there a way i can "retire" my license without paying a thing? i am looking at the renewal form and there are fees with every option. i will call the bvnpt on monday. california is broke and all but damn....

i am keeping both my new jersey lpn and rn license active. there may be a job offered for lpns only and if i am interested and could take the pay cut for better working environment and or benefits, i would do it. plus my current job reimburses me for license renewal so the other one is free and will only pay for one.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I graduate from RN school in December ( wishful thinking) and my LPN lic. expires in Dec. I plan on renewing it anyway. It may be a month or so before I have a RN lic. so better safe than sorry.

UnionRN2 · Oct 8, 2011

I keep it for sentimental reasons. I worked very hard for it. It was a very important goal in my career. I was just as important as an LPN on the health care team as I am today with my MSN. And I proudly display it beside my RN license.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2011

I keep it for sentimental reasons. I worked very hard for it. It was a very important goal in my career. I was just as important as an LPN on the health care team as I am today with my MSN. And I proudly display it beside my RN license.

I am very proud of my LPN license and the 19 years I had it too but once I had my RN I just let it expire. I don't feel like I "lost" it or someone took it from me. I feel more like it's a past chapter in my life.

To those of you saving your LPN license for a job, I don't think that is really going to help you. It would be very likely that an employer is going to verify your license online and immediately become aware that you are an RN as well.

Once you are an RN you will always be held to an RN standard of care even if you are working in a LPN job.

missdeevah, NP · Oct 8, 2011

i am very proud of my lpn license and the 19 years i had it too but once i had my rn i just let it expire. i don't feel like i "lost" it or someone took it from me. i feel more like it's a past chapter in my life.

to those of you saving your lpn license for a job, i don't think that is really going to help you. it would be very likely that an employer is going to verify your license online and immediately become aware that you are an rn as well.
once you are an rn you will always be held to an rn standard of care even if you are working in a lpn job.

this is the very reason why it doesn't really make sense to keep the lvn license, if your reasoning is that you will/could use it for a job

Mec_Happens · Oct 8, 2011

To those of you saving your LPN license for a job, I don't think that is really going to help you. It would be very likely that an employer is going to verify your license online and immediately become aware that you are an RN as well.

In CA the LVN's and RN's are governed by 2 separate boards, so if an employer were to verify an LVN license, the RN license would not show up - they would have to check with the RN board as well.

For the record, I let my LVN license lapse.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2011

In CA the LVN's and RN's are governed by 2 separate boards, so if an employer were to verify an LVN license, the RN license would not show up - they would have to check with the RN board as well.
For the record, I let my LVN license lapse.

Well I learn something everyday! :)

In my state, when they put your name into the system all licenses come up. Current, expired, and revoked.

caliotter3 · Oct 9, 2011

Many people I've met have kept their licenses and many have let the license lapse. Kind of an expensive sentimental keepsake if you ask me, but I do see the possibility of keeping it for a job. Example, an online application was thrown back to me when I tried to apply as a licensed nurse for a CNA job. Reason given was that I did not have the CNA therefore, I was "not qualified". If I had the CNA certificate, I could have answered the computer question with that info and my application would have gone further. I see the same situation with an RN license versus an LVN/LPN license. You never know.