Registered Nurse
Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.
- $97,550
- 2–4 years
Healthcare career
Licensed Practical Nurse
Also called: LPN · Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) · Practical Nurse
What licensed practical nurses do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a licensed practical nurse do?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs, called LVNs in California and Texas) provide basic nursing care under the direction of registered nurses and physicians: monitoring patients, giving medications, changing dressings and reporting changes in condition. The median pay is $64,400 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 12–18 months, and employment is projected to grow +3.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$64,400$30.96/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year51,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to train12–18 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs666,900Employment, 2025
What licensed practical nurses do
LPNs are licensed nurses who deliver much of the hands-on clinical care in nursing homes, home health, physician offices and some hospitals. They check vital signs, administer medications, care for wounds and catheters, collect samples, and keep detailed records: escalating concerns to RNs and providers.
Practical nursing programs typically take about 12 to 18 months and end with the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Because the license comes relatively quickly, many people use LPN as a paid step on the way to becoming a registered nurse through LPN-to-RN bridge programs.
Typical duties
- Monitor patients and record vital signs and changes in condition
- Administer oral, topical and injectable medications as permitted by state law
- Provide wound care, change dressings and care for catheters and ostomies
- Collect specimens and perform routine tests such as blood glucose checks
- Update care plans and document care accurately
- Supervise CNAs in many long-term care settings
- Educate patients and families on basic care and medications
Work environment and schedule
LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities, home health, physician offices, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and correctional facilities. The work involves long periods on your feet and frequent lifting and moving of patients.
Schedule: Nursing homes and hospitals need 24/7 coverage, so evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts are common. Physician offices usually keep daytime hours.
A day in the life
- Take report from the night nurse on 20 long-term care residents and review new orders.
- Run the morning medication pass: verify each order, check vital signs before cardiac meds and document administration.
- Perform a wound dressing change, measure the wound and note signs of healing in the chart.
- Check blood sugars before lunch and give sliding-scale insulin as ordered.
See a full day in the life of a licensed practical nurse →
Licensed Practical Nurse salary
Half of licensed practical nurses earned more than $64,400 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,740 for the lowest 10% to $83,440 for the top 10%.
Full licensed practical nurse pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a licensed practical nurse
- Prepare academically
- Complete a state-approved PN program
- Pass the NCLEX-PN
- Start working and choose a setting
- Advance through a bridge program
You must complete a state-approved practical nursing program, usually a 12- to 18-month certificate or diploma from a community college or technical school, and pass the NCLEX-PN to earn a license.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed practical nurse →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Medication administration
- Wound care
- Vital signs and patient assessment data collection
- Catheter and ostomy care
- IV therapy (where permitted)
People skills
- Clinical judgment and prioritization
- Leadership of CNAs
- Compassionate communication
- Calm under pressure
All licensed practical nurse skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Licensed nursing role in about a year
- Pay well above most entry-level healthcare roles
- Jobs in many settings across every state
- Bridge programs lead to RN
Cons
- Scope of practice is narrower than an RN’s
- Long-term care can mean heavy patient loads
- Shift work, weekends and holidays
- Physically and emotionally demanding
Certifications and licenses
- NCLEX-PN license: The national licensing exam for practical nurses, administered for state boards of nursing.
- IV therapy certification: Required in many states before LPNs can start or manage IVs.
- BLS / CPR: Required by virtually all employers.
- Specialty certificates: Wound care (such as WCC), gerontology and pharmacology certifications add value.
Career path
- Licensed Practical Nurse: Provide licensed nursing care under supervision.
- Charge Nurse or Unit LPN Lead: Coordinate a hall or shift in long-term care.
- MDS Coordinator or Specialty LPN: Move into care coordination, wound care or IV therapy.
- Registered Nurse: Complete an LPN-to-RN bridge and pass the NCLEX-RN.
Learn the job before day one
Our Licensed Practical Nurse training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete a safe medication pass and perform a simple dressing change, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: LPN vs. RN · LPN vs. CNA · LPN vs. Medical Assistant · LPN vs. Surgical Tech
Licensed Practical Nurse FAQ
What is the difference between an LPN and an RN?
RNs complete longer education and have a broader scope, including comprehensive assessments and care planning. LPNs provide basic nursing care under RN or provider direction.
Is LPN the same as LVN?
Yes. California and Texas use the title licensed vocational nurse (LVN); the role and NCLEX-PN exam are the same.
How long does it take to become an LPN?
Most practical nursing programs take 12 to 18 months, followed by the NCLEX-PN exam.
How much does a licensed practical nurse make?
The median annual wage for licensed practical nurses was $64,400 ($30.96 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,740 and the highest 10% earned more than $83,440.
How long does it take to become a licensed practical nurse?
Most people need about 12–18 months of training. You must complete a state-approved practical nursing program, usually a 12- to 18-month certificate or diploma from a community college or technical school, and pass the NCLEX-PN to earn a license.
Do you need a degree to be a licensed practical nurse?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.
More licensed practical nurse questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2061 (Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.