Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide basic medical care to ill, injured, or convalescing patients or to persons with disabilities. Responsibilities for LPNs and LVNs are nearly identical; their title depends on the state in which they work.

Duties

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses typically do the following:

• Monitor patients’ health by checking their blood pressure, body temperature, and other vital signs
• Provide basic patient care and comfort, including changing bandages and helping with bathing or dressing
• Discuss care with patients and listen to their concerns
• Report patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, or physicians
• Document patient care and maintain health records

Responsibilities of LPNs and LVNs vary by work setting. For example, in private homes, they may reinforce registered nurses’ instruction regarding how family members should care for a relative. In hospitals, they might collect samples for testing and do routine laboratory tests. In nursing and residential care facilities, they may feed patients who need help eating.

LPN and LVN duties also may depend on the state in which they work. For example, in some states, LPNs with proper training may give medication or start intravenous (IV) drips.

LPNs and LVNs typically work under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. States determine the extent to which LPNs and LVNs must be directly supervised. Some states allow experienced LPNs and LVNs to oversee other LPNs and LVNs or unlicensed medical staff.

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses held about 651,400 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were as follows:

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) typically work in healthcare settings such as hospitals or nursing care facilities. LPNs and LVNs who work in home health travel to patients’ residences.

Some LPNs and LVNs travel throughout the United States to help care for patients in places where there are not enough healthcare workers.

Injuries and Illnesses

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Injuries may occur due to incidents such as overexertion and exposure to diseases, viruses, or harmful substances.

The work of LPNs and LVNs may put them in close contact with people who have infectious diseases, and they frequently come into contact with potentially harmful and hazardous drugs and other substances. Therefore, LPNs and LVNs must follow guidelines to guard against diseases and other dangers, such as accidental needle sticks and exposure to radiation or to chemicals used in creating a sterile environment.

Work Schedules

Most licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPNs and LVNs) work full time. Some 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.

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses must complete a state-approved educational program, which typically takes about 1 year. They must be licensed.

The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $62,340 in May 2024.

Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 54,400 openings for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.