Licensed Practical Nurse

LPNs carry out nursing tasks for patients whose care plans are set by an RN or physician. Typical duties include taking vital signs, giving medications, changing dressings and recording care in the patient's chart. LPNs report any change in a patient's condition to the supervising RN. Each state board of nursing defines the LPN scope of practice, so the tasks an LPN may perform differ by state.

In long-term care, LPNs handle medication passes and treatments for a group of residents. In home health, they visit patients at home and follow a care plan with less on-site supervision. In physician offices and clinics, they prepare patients for exams, give injections and update records. Work in skilled nursing facilities often includes 12-hour shifts, along with evening, night and weekend coverage.

According to BLS, nursing care facilities are the largest employer of LPNs, with 188,210 jobs. Over time, LPNs can move into specialties and later roles in nursing.

According to BLS, the median annual wage for LPNs was $64,400 in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $49,740, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $83,440.

State and work setting account for much of the difference in pay. BLS data show state medians ranging from $50,220 in Mississippi to $83,150 in Washington. Nursing care facilities pay above hospitals. Many employers also add pay differentials for evening, night and weekend shifts.

Pay rises relatively little with experience alone. LPNs seeking higher earnings therefore tend to change state or setting, or train as an RN. BLS reports LPN pay for every state, along with figures for major cities.

Becoming an LPN takes three steps. First, the student completes a state-approved practical nursing program, which commonly takes about a year. Programs combine classroom study with supervised clinical hours in hospitals, nursing homes or clinics.

Second, the graduate applies to the state board of nursing for a license. Once the board approves the application, the graduate can schedule the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Third, the board issues the license after a passing result. In California and Texas, that license carries the LVN title.

Each state board sets its own application, background check and fee requirements. The time from enrollment to licensure varies, and each step and how long it takes depends on the program schedule and the state board.

LPNs need technical skills that match their daily tasks. Medication administration requires accurate dosing and checking each order against the patient record. Taking vital signs lets LPNs spot early changes and report them to the RN. Wound care and infection control help prevent infections, especially in long-term care. Charting in electronic health records creates a legal record of care and informs the next shift.

Soft skills matter just as much in daily work. LPNs explain care to patients and families in plain terms. They take direction from RNs and report back clearly. They also manage a patient load, which means setting priorities when several patients need care at once.

How much of an earlier healthcare role carries over into practical nursing training is often less than new entrants expect.

BLS projects employment of LPNs to grow 3 percent between 2025 and 2035. According to BLS, LPNs will be needed in residential care facilities and home health settings.

The nursing career ladder runs from certified nursing assistant (CNA) to LPN, then to registered nurse (RN) and nurse practitioner (NP). CNAs considering the move can review how LPN work differs from CNA work. The RN license is the largest pay step on the ladder. According to BLS, the median annual wage for RNs is $97,550.

LPNs reach the RN role through bridge programs, and what changes between LPN and RN includes scope, training and pay. Each later rung requires more education, and nurse practitioners hold a graduate degree. LPNs who plan several steps ahead can map the LPN career path from CNA to NP.

Our data lists 1,050 practical nursing programs at degree-granting institutions across 53 states and territories, from the federal IPEDS survey. Private training schools and employer-run programs are not included in that count, so local options are often wider. Common types are community college certificates and practical nursing diplomas. Prospective students can compare practical nursing programs by state.

Some programs offer coursework online. Clinical training still takes place in person at hospitals, nursing homes or clinics, and online and hybrid programs pair the two formats.

Students who keep working while they train, for example as CNAs, often choose part-time or evening programs. Accelerated programs run on a compressed full-time schedule, which leaves less time for a job. Some nursing homes and hospitals offer free or sponsored LPN training to staff, and federal financial aid is available at eligible schools.

State boards of nursing license LPNs after they pass the NCLEX-PN, which NCSBN develops. California and Texas issue the LVN title. California licenses LVNs through the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, which is separate from its RN board. Graduates can prepare with NCLEX-PN practice questions.

The Nurse Licensure Compact allows an LPN with a multistate license from a member state to practice in other member states. LPNs in non-member states, such as California and New York, need a separate license for each state. Renewal cycles and continuing education requirements differ by state, and each board publishes its own renewal rules and fees.

Employers can confirm a license through the state board or through Nursys, the national database run by NCSBN. A license lookup by state shows where each board directs these checks. Certifications in IV therapy and wound care are common additions after licensure.

Nursing care facilities, hospitals, home health agencies and physician offices employ most LPNs. Staffing agencies also place LPNs in short-term roles, including travel assignments in other states.

Schedules include full-time, part-time, weekend and PRN (as-needed) work. CPR or Basic Life Support certification is required or preferred by some employers. Applicants should have their license number, a current CPR or Basic Life Support card and any other certifications ready. Applicants can compare LPN jobs by setting and state.

An LPN resume puts the license type, issuing state and status near the top, followed by certifications such as Basic Life Support, IV therapy or wound care. Duties are easier to read when grouped by setting, such as long-term care or clinic work.

In interviews, applicants can ask about patient load and the length of orientation, since staffing after hire can differ from the job description. Employers often ask about medication passes and changes in a patient's condition; these are common interview themes.

LPN work begins after about a year of training. It often involves long shifts and takes place under the direction of an RN. Independent patient assessment belongs to the RN role, so LPNs who want that authority generally go on to RN training.

The first step is to find a state-approved program in your state. Approval matters because the state board must approve a program before its graduates can take the NCLEX-PN. Start by comparing approved practical nursing programs in your state, including schedule, clinical sites and total length.