Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
• Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
• Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
• Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
• Evaluate nursing intervention outcomes, conferring with other healthcare team members as necessary.
• Record food and fluid intake and output.
• Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
• Prepare or examine food trays for conformance to prescribed diet.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary Nondegree Award

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

A Day in the Life

A typical day for an LPN/LVN begins with receiving patient assignments and reviewing medical histories during shift handoff. Vital sign monitoring—checking blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and respiration—is performed regularly throughout the shift. Medication administration is a core duty, including oral medications, injections, and topical treatments, with careful documentation of each dose. Wound care involves cleaning, dressing, and monitoring surgical sites, pressure ulcers, and other injuries. LPNs/LVNs assist patients with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. They insert and manage catheters, collect specimens for laboratory testing, and monitor IV drips under RN supervision. Patient communication is constant, as LPNs educate patients and families about care plans, medications, and discharge instructions. Thorough documentation in electronic health records captures observations, interventions, and patient responses throughout each shift.

Work Environment

LPNs/LVNs work in diverse healthcare settings, with nursing and residential care facilities being the largest employers. Hospital environments are fast-paced with access to advanced equipment and interdisciplinary teams. Home health settings offer autonomy and one-on-one patient care but require travel between client homes. Physician offices provide more predictable hours with weekday schedules. The work is physically demanding, involving prolonged standing, walking, lifting patients, and bending. Emotional challenges include caring for critically ill or dying patients and supporting families through difficult situations. Shift work is common, with many facilities requiring rotating schedules covering nights, weekends, and holidays. Infection control practices are rigorous, requiring proper use of personal protective equipment and adherence to safety protocols. The nursing team environment is typically collaborative and supportive, though staffing shortages can increase workload pressure.

Career Path & Advancement

Becoming an LPN/LVN requires completing a state-approved practical nursing program, typically lasting 12 to 18 months and offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some hospitals. These programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations. After graduation, candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN examination to obtain licensure. Entry-level LPNs work under supervision, building clinical skills and confidence across various healthcare settings. With experience, LPNs can advance to charge nurse or team leader positions in long-term care facilities. Many LPNs pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs, earning an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing to expand their scope of practice and earning potential. Specialization opportunities include IV therapy certification, wound care certification, or gerontology credentialing. Some experienced LPNs move into clinical education, staff development, or case management roles.

Specializations

LPNs/LVNs can focus on several clinical areas based on their work setting and additional training. Long-term care and geriatric nursing is the largest employment area, where LPNs provide ongoing care to elderly residents in nursing facilities. Home health LPNs deliver care in patients' homes, managing chronic conditions and post-surgical recovery with greater autonomy. Pediatric LPNs work in clinics and hospitals caring for infants, children, and adolescents. Rehabilitation nursing involves supporting patients recovering from strokes, surgeries, or injuries. Hospice and palliative care LPNs provide comfort-focused care for patients with terminal illnesses. Correctional nursing places LPNs in jails and prisons, addressing the healthcare needs of incarcerated populations. IV therapy-certified LPNs can start peripheral IVs, administer IV medications, and manage infusion therapy. Some LPNs specialize in clinic-based settings such as dermatology, orthopedics, or primary care offices.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

The demand for LPNs/LVNs remains strong, driven by the aging population and expanding healthcare needs. Long-term care facilities continue to be the primary employers as the elderly population grows and requires more nursing support. Home health services represent a growing employment sector as healthcare delivery shifts toward community-based and home-based care. Technology is changing bedside nursing, with electronic health records, telehealth, and point-of-care testing becoming standard tools. Some states are expanding LPN scope of practice to address nursing shortages, allowing additional clinical responsibilities with appropriate training. The nursing workforce shortage creates competitive job markets with signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and flexible scheduling incentives. LPN-to-RN bridge programs are increasingly available online, making career advancement more accessible. Healthcare systems are investing in team-based care models where LPNs play focused roles that maximize their training and experience.