A licensed practical nurse, also known as an LPN, works in a healthcare setting. Their responsibilities range from providing routine care to taking note of patients' health. The LPN is super-important to each patient's visit.
LPNs also serve a critical role in helping doctors and registered nurses when needed. Sometimes, as an LPN, you'll have to explain a lot, including medication, home-based care, and preventative lifestyle changes
While, you'll probably work a full-time schedule, it may look a little wonky. Some days you might work a shift that's longer than 8 hours or you might have to take a weekend or night shift. The schooling it takes to become an LPN isn't that long, in fact, most LPN programs take a year to complete.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.
Becoming a licensed practical or licensed vocational nurse (LPN or LVN) requires completing an approved educational program. LPNs and LVNs also must have a license.
EducationLPNs and LVNs must complete an approved educational program. These programs award a certificate or diploma and typically take about 1 year to complete, but may take longer. They are commonly found in technical schools and community colleges, although some programs may be available in high schools or hospitals.
Practical nursing programs combine classroom learning in subjects such as nursing, biology, and pharmacology. All programs also include supervised clinical experience.
Contact state boards of nursing for lists of approved programs.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsAfter completing a state-approved educational program, prospective LPNs and LVNs can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). In all states, they must pass the exam to get a license and work as an LPN or LVN. For more information on the NCLEX-PN examination and a list of state boards of nursing, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
LPNs and LVNs may choose to become certified through professional associations in areas such as gerontology and IV therapy. Certifications show that an LPN or LVN has an advanced level of knowledge about a specific subject.
In addition, employers may prefer to hire candidates who are trained to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Important QualitiesCompassion. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must be empathetic and caring toward the people they serve.
Detail oriented. LPNs and LVNs need to be responsible and detail oriented, because they must make sure that patients get the correct care at the right time.
Interpersonal skills. Interacting with patients and other healthcare providers is a big part of their jobs, so LPNs and LVNs need good interpersonal skills.
Patience. Dealing with sick and injured people may be stressful. LPNs and LVNs should be patient, so they can cope with any stress that stems from providing care to these patients.
Physical stamina. LPNs and LVNs should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as bending over patients for a long time.
Speaking skills. It is important that LPNs and LVNs be able to communicate effectively. For example, they may need to relay information about a patient’s current condition to a registered nurse.
AdvancementWith experience, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses may advance to supervisory positions. Some LPNs and LVNs advance to other healthcare occupations. For example, an LPN may complete a LPN to RN education program to become a registered nurse.
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The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 21.9% of Licensed Practical Nurses listed LPN on their resume, but soft skills such as Interpersonal skills and Speaking skills are important as well.
Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The best states for people in this position are Hawaii, Oregon, California, and Alaska. Licensed Practical Nurses make the most in Hawaii with an average salary of $57,364. Whereas in Oregon and California, they would average $55,159 and $54,107, respectively. While Licensed Practical Nurses would only make an average of $53,577 in Alaska, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.
1. Alaska
$53,577
Avg. Salary
2. Pennsylvania
$48,467
Avg. Salary
3. West Virginia
$46,246
Avg. Salary
2.0
2.0
4.0
4.0
We've made finding a great employer to work for easy by doing the hard work for you. We looked into employers that employ Licensed Practical Nurses and discovered their number of Licensed Practical Nurse opportunities and average salary. Through our research, we concluded that Maxim Healthcare Services was the best, especially with an average salary of $52,025. Golden Living follows up with an average salary of $50,909, and then comes Interim HealthCare with an average of $49,935. In addition, we know most people would rather work from home. So instead of having to change careers, we identified the best employers for remote work as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The employers include Spectrum Health Hospitals, Cook Children's Medical Center, and Saint Luke's Health System
It takes between 1 and 2 years to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Many universities and colleges offer certificate programs or associate degree programs for aspiring LPNs.
To become an LPN, you must complete a diploma in practical nursing through an approved educational program. These programs typically only take one year to complete and help prospective nurses learn basic nursing skills through a combination of coursework and clinical experiences.
After graduating with your diploma in practical nursing, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN). You must pass this exam to practice as an LPN.
Once you've passed your NCLEX-PN, you're ready to start your career as an LPN. Starting as an LPN can be a great way to get your foot in the door and healthcare. It is common for nurses to gain nursing experience working as an LPN while advancing their education in an ASN or BSN program.
Yes, an LPN is a nurse. LPNs are integral members of the healthcare team that work closely with registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to provide patients with basic nursing care. The term nurse is an umbrella term that covers a whole range of different types of nurses, from registered nurses to LPNs to even caretakers.
Like RNs who must pass the NCLEX exam, LPNs must also pass a national licensure exam prior to assuming nursing responsibilities known as the NCLEX-PN. Both exams require that candidates have completed their nursing programs.
There are several options available to those interested in working as an LPN. Most programs take between 1 to 2 years. Whereas an RN program takes between 2 to 4 years to complete.
Similar to RNs, LPNs can perform the following nursing duties:
Perform procedures or treatments
Perform ongoing assessments of patients
Complete basic care
Take a patient's medical history
Administer medications/ immunizations
Start/ manage IVs
Complete dressing changes
Assume independent care of the sub-acutely ill or chronically ill patients
Assist the RN in the care of an acutely ill patient
A licensed practical nurse works closely with registered nurses and physicians to provide patients with basic nursing care.
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) duties can vary slightly depending on the healthcare setting and the state in which they work. For example, some states do not permit LPNs to administer medication or start IV drips. In other states, experienced LPNs can supervise and manage less-experienced nurses or nursing aides, according to the BLS.
Typical duties might include:
Monitoring patients
Taking patient vital signs and histories
Performing routine assessments, such as checking blood pressure
Changing bandages
Inserting IVs or catheters
Listening to patients' concerns and reporting back to RNs and doctors
Ensuring patients are comfortable
Helping patients bathe or dress
LPNs can also work in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, doctor's offices, and urgent care clinics. Due to an aging population, there is a growing need for LPNs in long-term care, such as rehabilitation centers, residential treatment centers, and hospices. Most LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities.
To become a licensed practical nurse, you must complete an associate's degree nursing program and pass a state exam (NCLEX-PN).
Earning your diploma in practical nursing (PN) is the fastest way to jumpstart your nursing career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Most associate degree LPN nursing programs are two years long and cover coursework and clinical rounds.
Some programs provide accelerated training for future LPNs in as little as one year. However, you may need to have some healthcare experience to qualify for these programs.
The LPN program provides a well-rounded education for students just getting started in the field of nursing. The material covered in the program includes -
Anatomy and physiology
Basic nursing
Nutrition
Medical-surgical nursing
Emergency care
Pediatric nursing
Obstetric nursing
After you graduate with your diploma, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN). Once you pass this exam, you are ready to start practicing as an LPN.
The difference between an LPN and an RN has to do with the educational credentials needed for each role and the scope of their ability to care for patients.
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) assists a registered nurse (RN) and doctors in carrying out patient care instructions. Since working as an RN is a more hands-on role, it requires more extensive education and training than an LPN.
At a minimum, to become an RN, you need a two-year associate degree in nursing. However, most RNs have a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing. In contrast, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) needs only a vocational or associate's degree in practical nursing. Most programs last between 1 to 2 years.
Since RNs have an expanded set of duties and are more frequently employed in hospital settings relative to LPNs. An RN is more involved in creating a care plan for patients, while an LPN is the one who is there to carry out those instructions.
Both RNs and LPNs must pass a national exam. The NCLEX is offered at both the RN and PN levels. Both LPNs and RNs go through a licensing process that is very similar to registered nurses. There is a screening process and often a finger-print based background check.
A registered nurse or RN averages around $73,300 a year, while a licensed practical nurse or LPN averages around $44,849. The biggest factor in why RNs earn more than Loans is that RNs have a much more hands-on role in patient care than an LPN who essentially assists RNs and doctors.
The fastest way to become an LPN is through an accelerated LPN program. Some schools, for example, offer fast-track licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs that you can complete in as little as six months. The average time to become an LPN is between 1 and 2 years, depending on the program.
The two main types of LPN programs are:
ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This accreditation is recognized by the United States Department of Education as well as the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
NLNAC or National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. This accreditation is nationally recognized.
Ultimately, the amount of time it takes to complete the entire course varies, depending on the school and your prior experience.
Before jumping into an accelerated program, consider how much time you can devote to class studies and homework and doing your clinical experience. Something else to keep in mind is that accelerated programs typically cost more than traditional two-year programs.
The goal of either an accelerated or traditional program is to prepare future LPNs to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) test. The school's pass rate for this exam will give you an idea of how well the curriculum is delivered to students.