Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN): What the Role Is, How to Train, and Where You'll Work

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs/LVNs) provide direct patient care - vital signs, medication administration, wound care, hygiene support - and often supervise nursing aides. Training typically takes 12-18 months through accredited programs; graduates must pass the NCLEX-PN for licensure. LPNs work primarily in long-term care, home health, outpatient clinics, and selected hospital units. Career advancement can include supervisory roles or bridge programs to become an RN. For current salary and employment projections, consult the 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, deliver most direct bedside care. They record vital signs, administer medications and injections within their scope, change dressings, assist with hygiene and feeding, and collect basic samples. LPNs take directions from registered nurses (RNs), nurse managers, or physicians and often supervise nursing aides.

Typical settings

LPNs work in long-term care and assisted living, home health, clinics, outpatient facilities, and some hospital units. Over the past decade many hospitals have shifted toward hiring more RNs for inpatient acute-care roles, while long-term care and home health programs continue to employ LPNs heavily.

Training and licensure

Most LPN programs run about 12 to 18 months and are offered by community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals. Programs include classroom instruction and clinical rotations. After graduating from an accredited program, candidates must pass the NCLEX-PN exam to obtain state licensure. State boards of nursing set specific requirements and scope-of-practice rules, and some states use the LVN title instead of LPN.

Pay, schedules and benefits

Pay varies widely by state, facility type, and experience. Employers commonly offer shift schedules such as three 12-hour shifts per week, but schedules can vary. Many facilities - especially hospitals and larger home-health agencies - offer tuition reimbursement, health benefits, and signing bonuses for clinical staff.

Median wage and projected employment change have shifted over recent years; check the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the latest figures and regional data.

Career paths and advancement

With experience and additional education, many LPNs move into charge or supervisory roles in long-term care or home health. Others return to school to earn an associate degree (ADN) or bachelor's degree (BSN) and become registered nurses via RN licensure (NCLEX-RN). Bridge programs (LPN-to-RN) are common and designed to build on prior clinical experience.

Choosing practical nursing

Practical nursing is a patient-facing, technical role that can be completed faster than an RN program. It suits people who want hands-on nursing work without the longer academic commitment of an RN degree. Before enrolling, confirm program accreditation and your state board's licensure requirements.

1. Confirm current median annual wage and regional breakdown for LPN/LVN on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (most recent year).
2. Verify projected employment change for LPN/LVN on the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (latest projection period).