What Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Do About this section Licensed practical and vocational nurses should be friendly and enjoy helping people.

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (known as LPNs or LVNs, depending on the state in which they work) provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.

Duties

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses typically do the following:

Monitor patients’ health—for example, by checking their blood pressure

Administer basic nursing care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters

Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress

Discuss health care with patients and listen to their concerns

Report patients’ status to registered nurses and doctors

Keep records on patients’ health

Duties of LPNs and LVNs vary, depending on their work setting, For example, they may teach family members how to care for a relative; help to deliver, care for, and feed infants; collect samples for testing and do routine laboratory tests; or feed patients who need help eating.

Because medical care is regulated, LPNs and LVNs may be limited to doing certain tasks, depending on their state. In some states, for example, LPNs with proper training can give medication or start intravenous (IV) drips, while in other states they cannot. State regulations govern the extent to which LPNs and LVNs must be directly supervised; for example, an LPN may provide certain forms of care only with instructions from a registered nurse.

Experienced licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses oversee and direct other LPNs or LVNs and unlicensed medical staff.

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses work in settings such as nursing homes and extended care facilities, hospitals, physicians' offices, and private homes. LPNs and LVNs often wear scrubs, a type of medical clothing that usually consists of a V-neck shirt and drawstring pants.

Nurses must often be on their feet for much of the day and may have to help lift patients who have trouble moving in bed, standing, or walking. These duties can be stressful, as can dealing with ill and injured people.

Work Schedules

Three-fourths of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses worked full time in 2012. The rest worked part time or on variable schedules. Many LPNs and LVNs work nights, weekends, and holidays because medical care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts of longer than 8 hours.

Detail oriented. LPNs and LVNs need to be responsible and detail-oriented because they must make sure that patients get the correct treatment at the right time.

Interpersonal skills. Interacting with patients and healthcare specialists is a big part of their jobs, so LPNs and LVNs need good interpersonal skills.

Patience. Dealing with sick and injured people is often stressful. LPNs and LVNs should be patient so they can cope with stress that can come from providing healthcare to these patients.

Speaking skills. It is important that LPNs and LVNs be able to communicate effectively. For example, they might need to relay a patient’s current condition to a registered nurse.

Stamina. LPNs and LVNs should be comfortable performing physical tasks, such as bending over patients for a long time.

Advancement

With experience, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses can advance to supervisory positions. Some LPNs and LVNs advance to other medical occupations, such as registered nurses, by getting more education through LPN to RN (registered nurse) education programs.

Pay

The median annual wage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,380 in May 2012.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $40,380

Health Technologists and Technicians $39,340

Total, All Occupations $33,840

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

The median annual wage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,380 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,680, and the top 10 percent earned more than $56,010.

Three-fourths of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses worked full time in 2010. The rest worked part time or on variable schedules. Many LPNs and LVNs work nights, weekends, and holidays because medical care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $40,380

Health Technologists and Technicians $39,340

Total, All Occupations $33,840

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

The median annual wage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,380 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,680, and the top 10 percent earned more than $56,010.

Job Outlook About this sectionLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Health Technologists and Technicians 26%

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 22%

Total, All Occupations 14%

 

Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is expected to grow 22 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. As the U.S. population ages, the overall need for healthcare is expected to increase. This trend will lead to increased employment of LPNs and LVNs in hospitals, physicians' offices, and other healthcare settings. LPNs and LVNs also will be needed in residential care facilities such as nursing homes and assisted-living centers. Many procedures that once could be done only in hospitals are now being done outside of hospitals, creating demand in other settings, such as outpatient care centers.

Job Prospects

A large number of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are expected to retire over the coming decade. Job prospects should, therefore, be excellent for licensed and experienced LPNs and LVNs.

Employment projections data for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, 2010-20 Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2012 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment