Nursing titles explained
LVN vs. LPN: same job, different name
There is no difference in the job. LVN (licensed vocational nurse) is the title California and Texas use; every other state says LPN (licensed practical nurse). Both pass the same NCLEX-PN exam and do the same work.
Side by side
| LVN | LPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Title used in | California and Texas | The other 48 states and DC |
| Licensed by | CA: Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians · TX: Texas Board of Nursing | The state board of nursing |
| Licensing exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-PN |
| Typical program | Vocational nursing certificate, about a year | Practical nursing certificate, about a year |
| Scope of practice | Set by state law | Set by state law |
Pay, outlook and training are the same for both titles; see the LPN/LVN career profile. The national median is $64,400, with 51,800 openings a year and +3% projected growth through 2035.
LPN/LVN vs. RN
| LPN / LVN | RN | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,400 | $97,550 |
| School | Certificate, about 14 months | ADN (about 2.7 years) or BSN; 1.5 years accelerated for bachelor's holders |
| Exam | NCLEX-PN | NCLEX-RN |
| Growth to 2035 | +3% | +6% |
| Role | Routine care within the care plan | Assesses patients, plans care, supervises LPNs/LVNs |
Is the move from LPN/LVN to RN worth it?
Set your education and current pay to see the path, the cost and the year it pays off.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)Registered nurse
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Questions people ask
What is the difference between an LVN and an LPN?
There is no difference in the job. LVN (licensed vocational nurse) is the title California and Texas use; every other state says LPN (licensed practical nurse). Both pass the same NCLEX-PN exam and do the same work.
Do LVNs and LPNs get paid the same?
The government counts them as one occupation. The national median is $64,400 a year; pay varies more by state and setting than by title.
Can an LVN work as an LPN in another state?
Yes. You apply for a license by endorsement in the new state and your license there carries the LPN title. Texas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a Texas multistate LVN license also lets you practice in other compact states; California is not in the compact.
What is the difference between an LPN/LVN and an RN?
RNs assess patients, plan and change care, and supervise LPNs/LVNs; LPNs/LVNs give routine care within that plan. LPN/LVN school takes about a year; an RN needs an associate (ADN) or bachelor's (BSN) in nursing and the NCLEX-RN. RN median pay is $97,550, vs. $64,400.