LVN/LPN Pathway

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are one of the most needed healthcare professions. The Education Fund has partnered with educational providers to offer LVN/LPN programs that prepare students for National Council Licensed Examination (NCLEX).

The Importance of LVNs/LPNs

LVNs care for ill, injured or convalescing patients in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, etc. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse.

  • Measure and record vital signs
  • Administer and record medications, start intravenous fluids
  • Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperature, measuring blood pressure and dressing wounds
  • Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions
  • Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team as necessary
  • Help patients with bathing, dressing, maintaining personal hygiene, moving in bed, standing and walking
  • Prepare patients for examinations, tests or treatments and explain procedures

Learn more about being an LVN/LPN, including employment trends, salary averages, and related skills at O*Net or CareerOneStop.

Meet a Pathway Participant

Ana Aguilera

Ana Aguilera was initially hesitant about going back to school due to financial constraints and family commitments, but learning about the Education Fund’s LVN pathway program gave her hope.

Ana dove into her studies with determination. Over 21 months, she managed a full-time job as a Medical Assistant while balancing parenting duties and intensive coursework. With support from her family and encouragement from her Education Fund Career Counselor, she successfully completed the LVN program and passed her boards on the first try.

She is very appreciative of the opportunities provided by the Ed Fund. “The Ed Fund’s programs are there to help us succeed, help us be better and help us do better. I’m really grateful to the Education Fund for the opportunity and that they offer the services they do,” she said.

Education or training requirements

To become an LVN/LPN, you must:

  • Pass a criminal background check
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • Attend a state approved training program that includes 1,530 (Theory: 576, Clinical: 954) training hours
  • Programs can be
    • 12 months for full-time (typically Mon-Fri daytime hours, depends on school)
    • 18 months for part-time (typically evening, 2-3 days a week, depends on school)

Accrediting Agencies

  • CDPH (CA Dept of Public Health) for schools
  • National Council of State Board of Nursing for the NCLEX

Why accreditation is important: An accredited school has been reviewed by an industry organization to ensure that quality standards are met and maintained, providing some assurance of receiving a quality education. Some employers, licensing boards, and graduate schools will only accept credentials earned at an accredited school. Attending an accredited school will often increase your opportunities in the long run, as employers usually prefer to hire people who have graduated from accredited programs. Attending a non-accredited school can also affect ability to obtain licensure and advance to other nursing degree programs.

Certifications/licensure

  • NCLEX PN Exam. (National Council Licensure Examination)

Please note: The above content is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace or provide any employer-specific requirements. Please be sure to check your employers’ job descriptions for specific requirements or consult your local HR department.

Program status

We appreciate your interest in the Education Fund’s programs and services. We have received a tremendous response to our education and training programs and have reached our enrollment limit for many of our current programs. As a result, we are not accepting applications for this Education Fund program at this time.

We encourage you to create an individualized educational plan with your Career Counselor/Regional Coordinator. You can make an appointment via MyEdFund, our secure, online member portal.

MyEdFund