Licensed Practical Nurses

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, or have disabilities.

Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse. They answer patients' calls and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Licensed Practical Nurses are in the Health Science career cluster and the Therapeutic Services pathway.

Quick Facts

Source: Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and CareerOneStop.

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages vary based on the LPN's experience. Wages also vary by area of the country and employer. For example, LPNs who work in home health care services tend to earn more than those who work in doctors' offices.

Benefits also vary by employer. Most full-time LPNs receive typical benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time LPNs rarely receive benefits.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

 

Employment

In Minnesota, about 18,187 licensed practical nurses work in this large occupation.

Major employers:

• Nursing and personal care agencies
• Hospitals
• Doctors' offices
• Home health care agencies

Outlook

Nursing homes will offer the most new jobs for LPNs. In part, this is because the number of elderly people in need of long-term care is rising. In addition, there is an increasing number of patients released from the hospital who have not recovered enough to return home.

Fast growth is also expected in home health care services. This is in response to two factors. One, the number of older people with disabilities is growing. Two, people prefer to be cared for in their own homes. In addition, technological advances will make it possible to bring more complex treatments into the home. This is true for doctors' offices and clinics as well, where more complicated procedures can now be performed. As a result, employment of LPNs is expected to grow quickly in doctors' offices, clinics, and emergency medical centers.

LPNs seeking jobs in hospitals may face competition as the number of hospital jobs declines. As in many large occupations, replacing LPNs who leave the field will be a major source of job openings.

Employment Outlook for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

	Employment		Employment Change
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
U S	752,300	920,800	168,500	22.4%
Minnesota	19,288	23,648	4,360	22.6%
	2010	2020	Number	Percent
Central Minnesota	2,498	3,134	636	25.5%
Northeast Minnesota	1,487	1,786	299	20.1%
Northwest Minnesota	3,019	3,688	669	22.2%
Southeast Minnesota	2,257	2,729	472	20.9%
Southwest Minnesota	1,888	2,136	248	13.1%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	8,184	10,141	1,957	23.9%

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.

On the Job

Overview

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, or have disabilities.


It's become common knowledge that the U.S. is facing a nursing shortage. As Americans grow older, two things will happen. First, a lot of nurses will retire. Second, more and more people will need care, especially in nursing homes and assisted living centers. In fact, studies predict that nearly 1,000,000 nurses will be needed by the year 2018. This number includes both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse. Most LPNs provide basic bedside care to patients. They answer patients' calls and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They treat patients for bedsores, give alcohol rubs, and apply dressings. They apply hot water bottles and ice packs. LPNs feed patients and record their food and liquid intake and output. They also help patients with other personal care activities, such as bathing, dressing, or brushing their teeth.

LPNs observe patients and report any negative reactions to treatments or medications. They collect blood and other samples from patients for testing. In some work settings, they perform routine lab tests. They also get patients ready for more complex tests and exams. They explain how procedures work and answer questions. They also set up exam or treatment rooms by displaying, ordering, and cleaning equipment. This may include catheters and oxygen machines.

In states where the law allows them to, LPNs may give prescribed medications. They may also start intravenous (IV) fluids. Some LPNs help deliver, care for, and feed infants. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

In nursing homes, LPNs provide basic bedside care as they do in other settings. In addition, they may help evaluate the needs of residents and develop care plans. In doctors' offices and clinics, LPNs often make appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical duties. LPNs who work in private homes may prepare meals. They may also teach simple nursing tasks to family members. They keep patients' rooms neat and make sure that patients are comfortable.

In all work settings, LPNs record important data, such as vital signs, in patients' charts.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Take patients' vital signs, such as pulse and blood pressure.
• Give basic care and treatments, such as taking temperature and dressing wounds, under the direction of doctors or registered nurses.
• Answer patients' calls, observe them, and report negative reactions to medication.
• Collect blood and other samples for testing.
• Perform routine laboratory tests.
• Prepare patients for exams and tests. Explain all procedures to them.
• Feed patients and record food and liquid intake and output.
• Assist patients with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene.
• Set up treatment rooms and necessary equipment.
• Work with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to oversee patient progress.
• May administer prescribed medications or start intravenous (IV) fluids.
• May help deliver, care for, and feed infants.
• May supervise nursing assistants and aides.
• May help evaluate patients' residential needs and develop care plans.
• May schedule appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical tasks.
• May prepare meals and teach family members simple nursing tasks.
• Record important information about patients in their charts.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Assist and care for others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Document and record information.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Inspect equipments, structures, or materials.
• Work with the public.
• Teach others.
• Handle and move objects.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.
• Develop and build teams.
• Schedule work and activities.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction with patients.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a constant basis. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
• Often deal with people who are unpleasant or discourteous due to their injuries or illness.
• Are substantially responsible for outcomes and results. Good care means patients heal faster.
• Are substantially responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
• May on occasion be placed in conflict situations with patients or family members.
• Almost always work as part of a group.

Physical Work Conditions

• Are often exposed to diseases or infections when interacting with patients.
• Always work indoors.
• Work very near others. They are in close contact with patients throughout their shift.
• Sometimes wear safety attire, such as gloves or masks.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Sometimes are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from medical or cleaning equipment.
• May have to get into awkward positions when moving patients.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger patients' health.
• Make decisions that affect their employer, patients, and coworkers on a daily basis. They often have to make quick decisions without consulting another nurse or doctor first.
• Set nearly all their daily tasks and goals for the day without consulting a supervisor first. The needs of patients often dictate their work.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.
• Repeat the same tasks, such as giving medications and making notes in patient charts.

Hours/Travel

• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.
• Work a set schedule.
• May work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Stand when assisting or treating patients.
• Walk around the treatment center and occasionally run to reach patients.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble small objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as a licensed practical nurse, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• complete a practical nursing program; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

You can get practical nursing training at a professional-technical school or two-year college. A few high schools and hospitals also offer this training.

Most practical nursing programs take one year to complete. They include classroom study and supervised clinical practice (patient care). Classroom study includes anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and first aid. As part of your patient care studies, you learn to administer drugs to patients.

Work experience

You can volunteer in a nursing home or other medical setting to gain practical experience. Work experience as a nursing aide is also very helpful.

On-the-job training

While you are a student, you get clinical work experience in a hospital or clinical setting. You work under the supervision of an experienced nurse.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be medical care technicians. Training lasts seven to 52 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Licensed Practical /Vocational Nurse Training (LPN, LVN, Cert, Dipl, AAS)
• Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
• Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, Other.

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Dialysis Technology
• Health Aide
• Health Unit Coordination
• Licensed Practical Nursing
• Medical Office Management
• Psychiatric Technology
• Registered Nursing
• Respiratory Therapy

Helpful High School Courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Health Education
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Safety and First Aid

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Skills

People in this career need to:

Communicate

• Express ideas clearly when speaking or writing.
• Listen to others, understand, and ask questions.
• Read and understand work-related materials.

Reason and Problem Solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Develop rules or follow guidelines for arranging items.
• Identify problems and review information. Develop, review, and apply solutions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Make sense of information by studying it.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Determine how a system should work. Study how changes in conditions affect outcomes.

Manage Oneself, People, Time and Things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct patients as they recuperate.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with People

• Be aware of others' reactions and change behavior in relation to them.
• Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and Visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Knowledge

People in this career need knowledge in the following areas:

• Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of injuries, illnesses, and defects. Also includes the knowledge of setting up a plan for treatment.
• Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of providing special services to customers based on their needs.
• Psychology: Knowledge of people, their actions, and mental processes. This may include knowledge of how to treat emotional and behavioral problems.
• English Language: Knowledge of the meaning, spelling, and use of the English language.
• Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of the effect of diseases and injuries. Knowledge of how to give advice on social or personal problems. Also includes the knowledge of setting up a plan for treatment.
• Education and Training: Knowledge of teaching and the methods involved in learning and instruction.
• Mathematics: Knowledge of the rules and uses of numbers. Areas of knowledge include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
• Biology: Knowledge of plants, animals, and living organisms and how they function.
• Administration and Management: Knowledge of managing the operations of a business, company, or group.

Interests

People in this career are people who tend to:

• Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
• Consider achievement important. They like to see the results of their work and to use their strongest abilities. They like to get a feeling of accomplishment from their work.
• Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.
• Consider good working conditions important. They like jobs offering steady employment and good pay. They want employment that fits their individual work style. They may prefer doing a variety of tasks, working alone, or being busy all the time.
• Have social interests. They like work activities that assist others and promote learning and personal development. They like to communicate with others: to teach, give advice, help, or otherwise be of service to others.
• Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.

Source: Minnesota Department of Education.

Tools & Technology for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Tools

Abdominal binders Analgesic infusion sets or kits Infusion sets Apnea monitors or accessories Apnea monitors Automated external defibrillators AED or hard paddles Automated external defibrillators AED Blood transfusion filters or screens or accessories Blood transfusion drip regulators Butterfly needles Canes or cane accessories Canes Capillary or hematocrit tubes Capillary tubes Cardiac output CO monitoring units or accessories Heart monitors Non-invasive cardiac output monitors Ultrasonic cardiac output monitors Cervical collars or neck braces Neck braces Clinical trapeze bars Clinical trapezes Continuous passive motion CPM devices or accessories Continuous passive motion CPM equipment Crutches or crutch accessories Crutches Desktop computers Dial calibrated intravenous flowmeters or regulators Infusion controllers Electrocardiography EKG transmitter or telemetry or accessories Telemetry units Electrocardiography EKG units Electronic blood pressure units Electronic stethoscopes or accessories Electronic stethoscopes Enema kits or accessories Enema equipment Extremity restraints Limb restraints Wrist restraints Full body restraints Fabric body holders Glucose monitors or meters Blood glucometers Glucometers Needleless glucometers Head or neck traction supplies Crutchfield tongs Halo traction equipment Hematology analyzers Hemoglobinometer machines Hemodialysis units Dialysis machines Hypodermic needles Hollow needles Intradermal needles Intramuscular needles Intravenous IV needles Subcutaneous hypodermic needles Intermittent positive pressure breathing IPPB machines Intermittent positive pressure breathing IPPB apparatus Intravenous infusion pumps for general use Infusion pumps Intravenous or arterial extension tubing Filtered intravenous IV catheter tubing Non-vented intravenous IV catheter tubing Vented intravenous IV catheter tubing Intravenous or arterial infusion single port bags or containers Bag infusion systems Closed infusion systems Open infusion systems Safety infusion systems Intravenous or arterial tubing adapters or connectors or locks or caps or protectors Heparin locks Intermittent infusion sets Knee braces or hinged knee supports Knee braces Lancets Leg traction supplies Balkan frames Mechanical stethoscopes or accessories Mechanical stethoscopes Medical gas cylinders or related devices Oxygen cylinders Medical incision drains Hemovac drains Jackson-Pratt drains Medical oxygen masks or parts Oxygen masks Medical oxygen tubing or connectors Oxygen tubing Medical syringes without needles Syringes Medical ultrasound or doppler or pulse echo or echography units for general diagnostic use Ultrasonic Doppler equipment Mercury blood pressure units Mercury blood pressure measuring equipment

Nasogastric tubes Flexible nasogastric tubes Nebulizers or accessories Compressor tabletop nebulizers Electronic compressor nebulizers Nebulizers Pediatric nebulizers Portable nebulizers Ultrasonic nebulizers Needle protectors Safety needles Needleless intraveneous injection syringe sets or injection cannulas Needleless intraveneous IV sets Needleless vial or bag withdrawal cannulas or adapters or decanters Needleless intravenous IV withdrawal equipment Notebook computers Orthopedic traction hardware or weights Bucks extensions Traction equipment Traction weights Ostomy appliances Ostomy equipment Oxygen therapy delivery system products accessories or its supplies Oxygen supplies Patient care beds or accessories for specialty care Air fluidized beds Circo-electric beds Frames Roto beds Patient controlled analgesia infusion pumps Patient controlled analgesia PCA pumps Patient lifts or accessories Patient lifters Patient shifting boards or accessories Transfer boards Patient stabilization or fall prevention devices or accessories Ankle restraints Gait belts Lap belts Restraints Perfusion oxygen or hematocrit saturation monitors or accessories Saturation of oxygen SaO2 monitors Peripheral intravenous catheters for general use Over-the-needle intravenous IV catheters Through-the-needle intravenous IV catheters Personal computers Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers Personal digital assistants PDA Pulse oximeter units Pulse oximeters Respiratory monitoring kits or its accessories Non-invasive cardio respiratory monitors Respiration monitors Restraint straps or buckles or accessories or supplies Safety belts Wheelchair belts Restraint vests and jackets Posey vests Safety jackets Safety vests Spirometers or its accessories or its supplies Automated spirometers Digital spirometers Handheld spirometers Personal computer PC-based spirometers Pocket spirometers Pulmonary function testing PFT equipment Suction kits Intubation suctioning kits Suction pumps Gastric suction equipment Suture removal kits or trays or packs or sets Suture removal kits Tablet computers Therapeutic heating or cooling blankets or drapes Hyper/hypothermia blankets Tourniquets Tracheostomy tubes Tracheotomy tubes Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation units Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation TENS equipment Tuberculin syringes Tuberculin TB skin test equipment Urinary catheterization kits or accessories Urinary catheters Vacuum blood collection tubes or containers Evacuated blood collection tubes Vascular or compression apparel or supports Pneumatic boots Walkers or rollators Walkers Walking braces Wheelchairs

Technology

Calendar and scheduling software Scheduling software Medical software Electronic medical record EMR software Infusion management software MedicWare software Personal digital assistants PDA medical software Telephone triage software

Office suite software Microsoft Office software Spreadsheet software Word processing software

Licensing / Certification

Licensed practical nurses must be licensed in Minnesota. Applicants must:

• graduate from an approved practical nursing training program;
• pass a written exam; and
• pass a personal background check.

For more information, contact:

Minnesota Board of Nursing
2829 University Ave. SE, Suite 200
Minneapolis MN 55414
Phone: 612.617.2270
E-mail: nursing.board@state.mn.us
http://www.nursingboard.state.mn.us/

All states require LPNs to be licensed. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), or NCLEX-PN, is required in order to obtain licensure as an LPN. Other requirements vary by state.

Certification Details

Certifications are examinations that test or enhance your knowledge, experience or skills in an occupation or profession.

There are 25 certifications related to this career.

Licensing Details

Click on occupations listed below to find State of Minnesota licensing information.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and CareerOneStop.

Jobs

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Hiring Practices

LPNs should have a caring, sympathetic nature. Employers prefer to hire LPNs who have a strong desire to help others and a genuine concern for patients' welfare. Because work with the sick and injured can be stressful, employers look for LPNs who are emotionally stable. The ability to follow orders and work under close supervision are also important. Applicants must have passed the state licensing exam to qualify for LPN positions.

Advancement Opportunities

Advancement for licensed practical nurses often takes the form of a salary increase. However, some experienced LPNs become supervisors of nursing assistants and aides. Advancement opportunities are best for those who acquire additional training. They may become registered nurses (RNs) or one of many other types of health care workers.

Job Title Examples

Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC Lpn),  Office Nurse,  Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC Lpn),  Private Duty Nurse,  Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE Lpn),  Charge Nurse,  Clinic Nurse,  Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 

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Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Department of Education.