Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses need compassion in caring for patients. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) must complete a state-approved
Education
al program, which typically takes about 1 year. They also must have a license. Education LPNs and LVNs must complete an approved educational program. Certificate and diploma programs are commonly found in community colleges and technical schools, including some high schools, and typically take about 1 year to complete. Practical nursing programs include subjects such as nursing fundamentals, anatomy and physiology, and pharmacology. All programs also include supervised clinical experience. For a list of approved programs, contact your state board of nursing.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
After completing a state-approved educational program, prospective LPNs and LVNs must pass an exam to become licensed and enter the occupation. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. Optional certifications for LPNs and LVNs are available through professional associations in areas such as gerontology, wound care, and intravenous (IV) therapy. Certifications show that an LPN or LVN has an advanced level of knowledge about a specific subject. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS) certification. Advancement With experience, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses may advance to supervisory positions. Some LPNs and LVNs transfer into other healthcare occupations. For example, an LPN may complete an LPN-to-RN education program to become a registered nurse.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 3 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 51,800 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. Employment As the population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) will be needed in residential care facilities and in home health environments to care for older patients. In addition, a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, have become more prevalent in recent years. LPNs and LVNs will be needed to assist and care for patients with these and other conditions. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Health technologists and technicians 7% Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses 3% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Do
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.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses held about 666,900 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were as follows:
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 37% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16 |
| Home healthcare services | 12 |
| Offices of physicians | 11 |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 6 |
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.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Compassion. LPNs and LVNs must be empathetic and caring toward the people they serve. Communication skills. LPNs and LVNs must be able to convey information effectively. For example, they may need to relay a patient’s test results to a registered nurse. Detail oriented. LPNs and LVNs need to pay attention to minutiae because they must ensure that patients get the correct care at the right time. Interpersonal skills. LPNs and LVNs must be able to build a rapport to interact with patients and other healthcare providers. Multitasking skills. LPNs and LVNs often work with multiple patients who have a variety of health needs. They must ensure that each patient receives appropriate care and attention. Physical stamina. LPNs and LVNs should be able to perform physical tasks, such as bending over patients for a long time.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.