What Is A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

How Long to Become: 1-2 years Average Annual Salary: $62,340 Job Outlook (2024-2034): 3% growth

A licensed practical nurse (LPN), also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), is the fastest route into nursing. You can start your career in 1-2 years. LPNs provide basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs).

What an LPN Does

Certification: optional

LPNs work under RN supervision, most often with older adults in hospice, assisted living, skilled nursing, or home health. They also work in rehabilitation, helping patients move, bathe, eat, and dress.

Core duties include monitoring vital signs, examining and treating wounds, giving medications, taking patient histories, updating records, and reporting to RNs and other providers. LPNs can start and check IVs, but they cannot start IV medications or give IV push medications.

The work demands physical stamina, strong communication, attention to detail, technical skill, and the ability to manage stress.

Where LPNs Work

Most LPNs care for older adults in home health, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Many also work in physicians' offices and other outpatient settings.

In home health, LPNs dress wounds, monitor vitals, give medications, and carry out RN care plans. In nursing homes and assisted living, where most LPNs work, they track vitals, treat wounds, keep records, report changes to RNs, and may supervise certified nursing assistants (CNAs). In physicians' offices, LPNs take histories, monitor vitals, and update records, usually on shorter weekday hours.

Why Become an LPN

The advantages: it is one of the fastest, least expensive ways into nursing, it offers advancement with experience or further education, and it lets you build real relationships with patients.

The tradeoffs: limited autonomy, physically demanding work with a high injury risk, long hours (especially in hospitals and residential care), and emotional strain that can lead to burnout.

How to Become an LPN

Complete an LPN/LVN program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), get licensed, find a job, and consider certification.

LPN/LVN programs run 45-50 credits and take 1-2 years depending on full-time or part-time enrollment. After the program, you pass the NCLEX-PN to earn your license. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing uses the exam to confirm you have the clinical knowledge and reasoning to practice under RN supervision.

With your license, you can apply for jobs in skilled nursing, outpatient care, home health, or residential care. After meeting experience requirements, you can pursue certification in gerontology from the NALPN Education Foundation (six months of experience), wound care from the National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy (two years), or hospice and palliative care from the Hospice and Palliative Care Association (500-1,000 hours).

Specializations

LPNs can specialize, and some specialties carry certifications that lead to higher pay.

Geriatric and gerontology LPNs work in nursing homes, physician offices, and hospitals, recognizing abuse and neglect, educating patients and families, taking vitals, and carrying out care plans. Average salary: $47,000.

Rehabilitation LPNs work in assisted living, patients' homes, or hospitals, helping patients regain movement after injury or surgery. Average salary: $50,000.

Palliative care and hospice LPNs care for patients with terminal illness, providing pain management, comfort, and guidance on quality-of-life decisions. Average salary: $47,500.

Source: The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey

How Much LPNs Make

LPNs earn an average of $29.97 an hour, or $62,340 a year, per 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The highest-paid earn more than $80,510; the lowest-paid earn less than $47,960.

BLS projects 3% job growth from 2024 to 2034, with about 54,400 openings each year. Experience and skills push pay higher. According to Payscale (July 2025), LPNs with 10-19 years of experience earn about 3% above average, and those with 20-plus years earn about 6% above average. Skills in hospice, home care, telemedicine, risk management, and quality control also raise pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to become an LPN? One to two years, after completing a 45-50 credit program, passing the NCLEX-PN, and getting licensed. Working while in school can extend the timeline.

What is the difference between an LPN and an RN? LPNs have a narrower scope. They work under RNs to carry out care plans set by physicians, nurse practitioners, and RNs. RNs coordinate patient care with physicians and other professionals.

What does an LPN do? Basic patient care: dressing wounds, giving medications, taking vitals and histories, answering patient questions, and communicating with RNs, NPs, and physicians.

How much does an LPN make? An average of $62,340 a year, or $29.97 an hour (BLS, 2024). Pay varies by state, skills, and experience.