The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provide care to ill, injured, disabled, or convalescing patients under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.

The LPN/LVN degree can be earned with about one year of schooling in a practical nursing program. There are currently about 1,200 accredited LVN/LPN programs in practical nursing in the U.S., including community colleges, vocational colleges, and online colleges.