Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

This page will help you understand what it takes to become an LPN, what LPNs do, where they work, and their earning potential. You'll also find that the LPN career is one step on a path to becoming a registered nurse, nurse practitioner, advance practice nurse, or a nurse leader.

If you have a passion for helping people and are interested in a rewarding, challenging and exciting career in healthcare — a job as an LPN may be the right place to start.

What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?

Licensed practical nurses (LPN) are sometimes called licensed vocational nurses (LVN), and they are in demand in the United States, along with many careers in healthcare.

LPNs or LVNs provide medical care to patients, under the supervision of senior nursing staff. The senior staff typically consists of RNs or nurses who hold advanced degrees, doctors, and other licensed healthcare professionals. As LPNs get more experience they may become supervisors and manage other LPNs or certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

1. Obtain a high school diploma or an equivalent education.
2. Complete a training program that prepares them to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for LPNs. Typically, the educational programs for LPNs take about one year to complete.
3. Licensure requirements vary by jurisdiction, so check with your state's board of nursing for any additional requirements beyond the NCLEX-PN.

According to O*NET Online's summary report for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, employers surveyed by O*NET reported that a new hire for this role typically needs some college coursework without a degree (38%), a postsecondary certificate (35%), or an associate degree (16%).

If you're wondering whether an LPN certification is right for you, consider soft skills that may help licensed practical nurses in their day-to-day work. Soft skills are skills that can't necessarily be taught in a classroom, such as compassion, communication, and listening. According to the O*NET report for LPNs and LVNs, soft skills that may benefit LPNs include:

• Service orientation — LPNs are driven to serve their communities
• Active listening — LPNs are good at listening — and hearing — what other people say
• Speaking — LPNs are good communicators, whether they're talking to patients or doctors
• Time management — LPNs are good at prioritizing tasks and getting work done on time
• Critical thinking — LPNs must be able to use logic and reason to identify issues and solve problems
• Active learning — Healthcare providers must be eager and willing to continue their education throughout their careers

For many nurses, becoming an LPN is just the beginning of a career path in nursing. Some licensed practical nurses go on to earn other degrees to possibly advance their careers, such as an LPN to RN degree.

What Do LPNs Do?

LPNs play important roles in healthcare settings. They provide supportive care to other healthcare providers, whether it is clinical, administrative or a combination of both. LPNs are often “frontline” healthcare providers who have direct contact with patients. According to O*NET Online, the specific tasks that LPNs perform include:

• Checking vitals signs such as blood pressure and pulse rates
• Administering basic care such as changing bandages
• Helping patients bathe, dress, eat and perform other self-care tasks
• Recording and reporting patient histories and concerns to registered nurses, doctors and other practitioners
• Collecting samples for laboratory tests
• Inserting catheters and IVs, with specialized training
• Administering medication under the supervision of an RN, nurse practitioner or doctor
• Cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment and instruments
• Performing clerical work in a healthcare setting
• Training and educating patients and their families or caregivers
• Preparing medical supplies and equipment for doctors and other healthcare practitioners to use to diagnose and treat patients
• Preparing patients for medical procedures
• Ordering medical equipment and supplies
• Assisting nurses and doctors during patient exams

Your duties as an LPN will vary depending on the type of healthcare environment you work in. LPNs in hospitals may have very different roles from LPNs who work in private practice or home health agencies, which you'll learn in the next section.

Where Do LPNs Work?