Investigate online programs. All of your potential choices should be accredited. Accreditation indicates that the program has passed muster with your state board of nursing. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the nursing board exams and once certificated, go on to find jobs in the field.
Apply for admission to an LVN program. Legitimate online programs will require you to submit records of all your previous coursework in high school or college, as well your personal information and career goals. LVN programs look for candidates who have completed a high school diploma or GED. Students with previous experience in a related health care field such as certified nursing assistant (CNA) or volunteer work at a hospital or nursing home have a better chance of acceptance.
Note which classes you must take and when you should take them. Many online LVN programs take between nine and 18 months. Typical classes covering the basic nursing foundation of knowledge include biology, human anatomy and communications. You will also study coursework designed to introduce you to nursing procedures such as taking someone's pulse and the use of appropriate medical language to describe a patient's condition.
Complete all necessary class work. Courses require you to study written material, attend lectures via webcam or teleconferencing and write research papers. You will receive a grade for each class you take. During the first quarter, you will focus on basic principles of human anatomy and physiology as well as biology and chemistry. Second-quarter students typically focus on communication skills and specific medical terms. Your last term of study will entail practical experience in a clinical setting.
Finish a term of clinical education in on the-job nursing training. A term of clinical education is required for all nursing students. Under the supervision of a fully certified nurse, student nurses learn the practical aspects of nursing, such as changing bandages and calculating medication dosages, during this period. Some online programs will arrange this aspect of study for you; others require you to make your own arrangements. Clinical education must be completed at a hospital or nursing home in person; not online.
Submit all paperwork and receive your certification. Once you have met all necessary requirements for an online LVN certificate, you may need to contact the online school and ask them to issue you a certificate of completion. though many online institutions issue certificates automatically when the students complete the coursework.