10 Different Healthcare Settings for LPNs

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic nursing care across a wide range of settings, usually under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) or physicians. Common duties include monitoring patients and vital signs, administering medications, bedside care like bathing and feeding, changing bandages, and patient education. Where you do that work varies more than most people expect. Here are 10 settings that employ LPNs and what the job looks like in each.

What Is an LPN?

LPNs, called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in Texas and California, provide basic medical care to patients of all ages. Because their scope is narrower than an RN's, they work under the supervision of an RN, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), or a physician.

Most LPN programs take 12 to 18 months. Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to practice, after which they can pursue specialty certification, such as IV therapy, or go on to earn an RN license.

The median annual LPN salary was $62,340 in May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). LPN jobs are projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations, with roughly 54,400 openings expected each year.

10 Healthcare Settings for LPNs

1. Nursing Homes, Residential Care, and Rehabilitation Centers

Most LPNs work here. They handle residents' daily care and medical needs and report findings to the RN or another supervisor. They may delegate tasks like checking vital signs, bathing, and feeding to certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

2. Hospitals

Hospital LPNs work under close supervision, delegate to CNAs, and assist with patient care. Because hospital care is more complex, their scope is more limited. An LPN can assess a patient, but only an RN performs the initial assessment, and an LPN cannot give certain IV medications without special certification.

3. Home Healthcare

In home health, patient education is essential, since patients and families manage care between visits. An LPN with IV certification can give some IV medications in the home. Pay in this setting is often based on the number of patients seen rather than hours worked.

4. Physician's Offices

LPNs here work under the office's primary RN and physician. Duties vary but often include taking medical histories, checking vital signs, giving vaccinations, and handling scheduling and other administrative work. The pace is generally slower than a hospital or clinic.

5. Government

Government LPNs may work in correctional facilities, Veterans Administration (VA) departments, or military bases, so responsibilities range widely. An LPN in a jail might pass medications and give vaccinations, while one at a VA office might focus on administrative duties. These roles often come with strong benefits, including financial aid for nursing education.

6. Schools

Under a school nurse's supervision, LPNs treat minor issues like allergic reactions and cuts, perform hearing and vision screenings, keep vaccination records current, and flag students who need outside care. Most schools will not let an LPN serve as the primary nurse, since that requires an RN license. LPNs can work in primary, secondary, and postsecondary schools.

7. Ambulatory Clinics

Like LPNs in physician offices, those in ambulatory care check vital signs, pass medications, give vaccinations, and schedule appointments, with duties shaped by the clinic's specialty. An LPN at a fertility clinic might counsel a couple on family planning, while one at a surgical clinic might gather a medical history before a planned procedure.

8. Hospice and Palliative Care

LPNs in hospice and palliative care work in clinical facilities, nursing homes, and private homes, caring for patients with incurable or terminal conditions. The work includes daily bedside care, passing medications, teaching patients and families, and keeping patients comfortable and pain-free. It calls for compassion and strong communication.

9. Remote Work

Some LPNs work away from the bedside in telehealth roles: virtual coaching, nurse advice lines, remote patient monitoring, and medical record review. These jobs require comfort with a range of software.

10. Travel Nursing

A growing number of LPNs travel, with duties that depend on specialty and setting. A travel home health LPN, for example, does the same home care as any other, just with the travel and the higher pay. As of September 2025, the top-earning travel LPNs make about $91,000 a year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an LPN the same as an LVN?

Yes. LPN and LVN are equivalent titles and roles, with LVN being the preferred term in Texas and California.

What is the highest-paying LPN job?

Travel nursing is among the highest-paying. Travel LPNs earn an average of about $91,000 a year, compared with $62,340 for staff LPNs.

What does an LPN do?

LPNs provide basic medical care to patients of all ages. They monitor vital signs, pass medications, change bandages, assist with bathing and feeding, and teach patients. Specific duties depend on the setting.

Where do most LPNs work?

Most LPNs work in nursing homes and residential care facilities, about 37% of the LPN workforce, according to the BLS.