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Licensed practical nursing is an excellent career choice for those who want to enter one of the fastest growing industries in the nation, but with less training than many healthcare professionals.
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Licensed practical nurses care for ill, hurt, or disabled patients under the direct care of a registered nurse (RN) or a physician. LPNs are also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas. The primary difference between an RN and an LPN is training; LPNs can typically earn their diplomas from accredited nursing programs in one year while RNs must dedicate two or more years to their training. LPNs must also be licensed, a process that requires them to meet educational requirements and pass the National Council Licensure Examination in Practical Nursing, or NCLEX-PN.
What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse Do?
While they perform many of the same duties as RNs, LPNs require less training, and therefore have less autonomy than their registered counterparts. The duties LPNs perform can vary tremendously from one position to the next, but typically include:
Many LPNs choose to specialize in a particular area of nursing, which can impact job duties tremendously.
Common Nursing Specialties for LPNs
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are over 60 nursing specialties. Because fewer certifications exist for LPNs than for RNs, LPNs usually become specialized through experience.
Here are some of the most common nursing specialties. Note that some nurses choose more than one specialty, such as a pediatric oncology nurse or a critical care neonatal nurse.
Advancement Potential for LPNs
LPNs who want to advance to positions offering more responsibility, and therefore more pay, often go back to school to become RNs. Many accredited nursing schools offer LPN to RN bridge programs that allow LPNs to take only the classes they need without repeating work they've already completed. RNs must be licensed to practice, which means they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN.
LPN Work Environment
Most LPNs work in hospitals, but some work in outpatient care centers, nursing homes, physicians' offices, or private residences. Shifts can be long and require you to spend a great deal of time on your feet. Those working in centers providing round-the-clock care must often work evenings, weekends, and holidays. Because LPNs tend to sick and sometimes terminal patients, the work can be emotionally taxing and extremely gratifying at the same time.
Salary Potential for Licensed Practical Nurses
Licensed practical nursing require less training than RNs, so tend to earn less. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPNs earned a median annual salary of $39,820 in May, 2009, with the middle 50 percent earning between $33,920 and $47,220. Salaries were best for those working in nursing care facilities, home health care services, and community care facilities for the elderly.
Career Outlook for LPNs
There's no doubt about it: LPNs are in high demand. In fact, the BLS projects LPN employment to grow by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018 - much faster than the average for all occupations. Opportunities will be particularly strong in nursing care facilities and home healthcare services.
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