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Entering the health care field as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in some states, offers distinct advantages. To start, you can train for this profession in a year's time, which means you can begin working and earning money sooner. Plus, advanced technology has increased the demand for LPNs and LVNs outside of hospitals where more jobs and more diverse career opportunities typically exist.  Licensed Practical Nurse Career Overview Licensed practical nurses care for the sick, injured, disabled or convalescent. They bring their caring, sympathetic natures to hospitals, home health care services, nursing care facilities, physicians' offices and other health care providers and agencies. Working under the direction of physicians and registered nurses (RNs), LPNs and LVNs attend to patients in a number of ways. Depending on the nature of their job, they might: - Take vital signs
- Gather patient health information
- Prepare and deliver injections
- Assist patients in personal hygiene tasks
- Collect lab samples and perform routine lab tests
- Help care for and feed infants
- Teach patients and family members about good health habits
- Supervise nursing assistants and aides
Get more information in our article about licensed practical nurse jobs. Licensed Practical Nurse Salary The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of May 2006, licensed practical nurses earned an average annual salary between $31,080 and $46,640. Wages vary based on industry, with LPNs and LVNs in employment services earning the highest median annual salary of $42,110. Nursing care facilities and home health care services offer the next highest median salaries at $38,320 and $37,880, respectively. In hospitals, LPNs and LVNs can earn $35,000 annually, and at physician's offices, their median annual salary is $32,710. Licensed Practical Nurse Career Outlook As of 2006, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses held 749,000 jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this number will grow to 854,000 by 2016, indicating a 14 percent increase in employment over the 10 year span. While opportunities will remain strong in hospitals, LPNs and LVNs can expect to find the greatest number of new nursing jobs in home health care services and nursing care facilities. The higher demand for this occupation results primarily from the aging baby boomer population and a general increase in demand for health care services. In addition, advanced medical technology has made it possible for patients to go to their doctor's office or an outpatient care facility for procedures that were typically performed only in hospitals in the past. Licensed practical nurses play a vital role in caring for patients who undergo such procedures and may offer assistance at the health care office as well as in the patient's home. Licensed Practical Nurse Education LPN nursing schools and educational programs typically involve one year of study and training at a hospital, community college or technical vocational school. Students should bear in mind that the program they choose must be approved by their state's Board of Nursing in order for them to qualify for nursing licensure. After earning a nursing degree through a state-approved program, graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Individual states administer this exam to qualifying candidates. Refer to the web site for your state's Board of Nursing for details about the fees, application process and requirements involved in sitting for the licensure exam. Depending on the school, tuition costs for licensed practical nursing degree programs start in the $2,000 range, and many schools offer financial aid, grants and other avenues to help nursing students fund their education. Learn more about how to pay for nursing school. If later on in your career you decide to become a registered nurse (RN) through an LPN-to-RN or LPN-to-BSN program, you can receive credit for the course work you completed during your licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse training. Plus, your experience as a nurse can help you test out of some classes, saving you time and money. Licensed Practical Nurse—A Rewarding Career in a Thriving Industry Professional advantages, personal rewards and endless chances to help others—the LPN field delivers it all. With an exploding job market and career opportunities opening up in a range of industries, the nursing arena is calling out to candidates who are ready to put their hearts and minds to work for those of us in need of care. Return to the Nursing School Education Resource Center. Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses, 2008 |
