Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Career Paths

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Career Paths

There are many ways to pursue a career as an LPN nurse. Each is uniquely rewarding, and one may be the ideal match for your interests and personality. You don't have to know which area you want to specialize in before you begin your licensed practical nurse training program, but it can be very helpful if you do. Students are often able to focus their studies, especially their clinical hours, to meet their long-term career goals.

The following are some of the most common LPN job opportunities:

Hospitals – There will always be a need for LPN nurses in hospitals. Hospital nurses usually work in a specific department, such as surgery, maternity or the emergency room. They may also rotate between departments. Licensed practical nurses tend to be assigned more advanced nursing duties in hospitals than in some other settings. In the future, however, experts are projecting a decline in hospital LPN jobs because more medical procedures are being performed in physicians' offices and outpatient care centers.

Home Health Care Services – This is an enormous growth area for LPN jobs, primarily because of significant growth in the elderly population. Many older people have functional disabilities and need assistance, and they often prefer to stay in their homes. Home health care is also becoming more common as technological advances make it possible to manage more health problems on an outpatient basis. LPNs working in patient homes must be able to work independently. They provide direct nursing services to elderly patients, as well as people recovering from illnesses, accidents and diseases such as cancer. They also assess patients' home environments and teach family members how to care for their loved ones.

Nursing Care Facilities – This is another area where demand for LPN nurses is continuing to increase due to the growing number of people who are elderly, disabled or otherwise in need of long-term care. LPNs in this setting care for patients who have been discharged from the hospital but need additional recovery time or long-term rehabilitation. These LPN jobs typically involve a lot of administrative and supervisory work, as well as health assessments, treatment plan development and basic nursing duties. LPNs in nursing care facilities often supervise nursing aides.

Office Nursing – LPN nurses provide care for outpatients in physicians' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, and emergency medical centers. This type of work usually has more regular hours and involves less severe medical conditions than other types of LPN jobs. LPNs may prepare patients for examinations, give injections, administer medications, dress incisions, and assist with minor surgeries. They may also be responsible for clerical duties, such as making appointments and keeping records.

Travel Nursing – Travel nurses are the temp workers of the health care field. They are contracted for short-term assignments—typically between eight to 26 weeks—through agencies that specialize in travel nursing. These agencies usually provide not just the job placement, but also housing, travel expenses and assistance with licensing. Most agencies provide health and dental insurance, as well as workers' compensation. Travel nurses get paid higher than average wages because they take positions that health care organizations can't fill because of the overall nursing shortage, because there's need for a nurse in a remote location or because of other urgent circumstances. With extra money in your pocket, becoming a travel nurse is an exciting way to build your resume and see the world.

Military Nursing – During both peace and wartime, almost every branch of military service needs nurses. The Army Nursing Corps requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in nursing for active duty, but if you want to enlist as an LPN, you may be able to get special training to become a medic. You can also work as a civilian in a military hospital or clinic through the Federal Civil Service . Military nursing is a great way to serve your country while expanding your knowledge of health care, and offers many education benefits—such as nursing school tuition reimbursement.

The Versatility of a Licensed Practical Nurse Career

Your career as a licensed practical nurse could involve one or several of the opportunities described above. Other LPN job options might include work in dental offices, mental health institutions, community health clinics and public health departments. The options are almost limitless.

As you consider the options, ask yourself some questions. Are you more interested in administration or hands-on nursing? Is there a particular patient population that you'd like to work with? What kinds of hours would you like to work? Are you willing to travel? Would you rather work independently or be part of a team? Do you like variety or consistency? Take the time you need to think it through. This is your chance to choose a career that fits you perfectly.

Return to the Nursing School Education Resource Center.

Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008
LPN Student Resources, 2008
Nurse Town, 2003-2008
Gannett Healthcare Group, 2008