LPN stands for “licensed practical nurse.” They are also known as licensed vocational nurses in some settings.
LPNs earn a diploma or certificate in nursing. These practical nursing programs can take as little as a year to complete. Many students choose accredited programs at community or technical colleges, which can be shorter in length and less expensive when compared to baccalaureate programs at public or private universities. The vocational program will include supervised clinical experiences in addition to courses in subjects such as biology, pharmacology, anatomy and nursing that aim to provide students with necessary practical skills. Both LPNs and RNs must take a version of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
LPNs typically work under the supervision of an RN to provide basic patient care. They monitor a patient’s vitals, feed, bathe and dress patients, apply and change bandages and keep records of patient health. LPNs may be responsible for administrative duties at their place of work and can administer medications in some states, except for IVs in most cases. Because nursing often involves varied hours, many LPNs work nights, weekends and holidays in shifts of more than eight hours.
In general, the demand for LPNs is not as high as RNs. For the most part, employers prefer to hire nurses with a more advanced education, so LPNs may consider furthering their education to qualify for more opportunities within the nursing field. Overall, as the need for health care increases, many positions in the field are seeing favorable growth patterns, especially in rural or medically underserved areas. Employment of LPNs is projected to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028 – from more than 720,000 LPNs in 2018 to over 800,000 in 2028.1