What Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) Do - Role, Training, and Outlook

LPNs/LVNs provide fundamental nursing care - vital signs, medication administration (within scope), wound care, and patient monitoring - in a range of clinical settings. Training typically lasts about 12-18 months and culminates in the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. Career options include specialties and LPN-to-RN pathways. For current employment numbers, median wages, and growth projections, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and your state board of nursing.

What an LPN/LVN does

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), also called Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide essential bedside care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. They work in hospitals, long-term care and assisted living facilities, physician offices, outpatient clinics, home health agencies, schools, and public health settings.

Common duties

LPNs monitor basic patient vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure), give routine injections and medications (within state scope of practice), change dressings, collect samples for testing, perform simple laboratory procedures, assist with feeding and hygiene, and document patient status. They alert supervising nurses and physicians to changes in condition and may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

Licensure and training

Most LPNs complete a state-approved practical or vocational nursing program, which typically combines classroom instruction and supervised clinical practice. Programs often last about 12 to 18 months and award a diploma or certificate. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent; some programs admit students through alternative pathways.

After finishing an approved program, graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN licensing exam to practice. State boards of nursing set the specific scope of practice and continuing-education requirements. In California and Texas the same role is commonly called LVN; licensing and duties are otherwise comparable.

Career pathways

Many LPNs move into specialty areas such as geriatric care, wound care, or IV therapy where state rules permit. LPNs often use their practical experience to advance to registered nurse (RN) credentials through bridge or RN-degree programs (e.g., LPN-to-RN bridge programs) that grant credit for prior coursework and clinical hours.

Pay and job outlook

Earnings and demand vary by region, employer, and experience. National-level totals, median wages, and projected job growth have changed since earlier reports; please verify current Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures for the latest employment count, median annual wage, and growth projections.

When to consider becoming an LPN

Choose practical nursing if you want a patient-facing nursing role that typically requires less time in school than an RN program and offers hands-on clinical experience. If you later decide to broaden responsibilities or increase earning potential, many LPNs pursue RN education while working.

Where to verify facts

For up-to-date employment numbers, wages, and growth projections, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics entry for "Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses" and your state board of nursing for scope-of-practice rules and licensing details. ¹

1. Verify current number employed (total LPN/LVN) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
2. Verify the latest median annual wage for LPNs/LVNs from BLS (May survey).
3. Verify projected job growth percentage and timeframe (e.g., 2022-2032) for LPNs/LVNs from BLS.
4. Confirm any changes to typical program length (12-18 months) and state-specific scope-of-practice notes with state boards of nursing.