Nurse (LPN )

Career Overview

Licensed Practical Nurses provide hands-on nursing care to patients under the direction of physicians and, depending on the setting, registered nurses. They check vital signs, give medications, change dressings, assist with daily care, monitor patients, and report changes in their condition. LPNs also use electronic health records and other healthcare technology as part of modern patient care.

Education

Canada: A two-year Practical Nursing diploma, including classroom and supervised clinical training, is typically required. Graduates must complete the required licensing examination and become registered to practice. USA: An approved practical or vocational nursing program, which typically takes about one year, is required, followed by the required licensing examination and state licensing.

Future Outlook

The need for practical nurses is expected to remain strong as populations age and more people require healthcare, long-term care, and home-based services. Nursing roles are also evolving as electronic health records, remote monitoring, digital communication, and other healthcare technologies become part of everyday care. Employment opportunities should remain steady, with many openings also created as experienced nurses retire or move into other roles. As the baby-boom population ages, the overall need for healthcare services is expected to increase.

Work Environment

LPNs work in hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, clinics, physicians' offices, community healthcare, and patients' homes. The work is hands-on and physically active, with frequent standing, walking, bending, and assisting patients. Shifts can include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Recommended High School Courses

Chemistry
Biology
Math
Communication
English
Health science

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.

Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Record patient medical histories.
Administer intravenous medications.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Supervise patient care personnel.
Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies.
Sterilize medical equipment or instruments.
Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
Maintain medical facility records.
Perform clerical work in medical settings.
Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Collect biological specimens from patients.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
Maintain inventory of medical supplies or equipment.
Manage preparation of special meals or diets.
Order medical supplies or equipment.
Clean medical equipment or facilities.
Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.

Schools

Academy For Nursing And H...

Adelphi University

Alfred State College

Alvernia University

American International Co...

Arkansas Tech University

Assumption College

Atlantic Technical Colleg...

Azusa Pacific University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Bemidji State University

Berkeley College Online

Bethel University

Bethel University (indian...

Bluefield State College-...

Bob Jones University

Boston College

Bowling Green State Unive...

Bradley University

Brazosport College

Brenau University

Brigham Young University

Carrington College- Boise...

Carrington College- San J...

Carroll College

Case Western Reserve Univ...

Central New Mexico Commun...

Chaminade University Of H...

Chippewa Valley Technical...

Clark State Community Col...

Clemson University

Coastal Alabama Community...

Colby Community College

College Of Central Florid...

College Of Southern Nevad...

Colorado Technical Univer...

Concordia College- New Yo...

Concordia University-wisc...

Crown College

Dakota County Technical C...

Daytona College

Delta State University

Durham Technical Communit...

Emory University

Fairfield University

Fairleigh Dickinson Unive...

Fairmont State University

Gardner-webb University

Georgetown University

Georgia Southwestern Stat...

Gulf Coast State College

Herzing University- Akron...

Herzing University- Birmi...

Herzing University- Brook...

Herzing University- Kenos...

Herzing University- Orlan...

Indian Hills Community Co...

Indian River State Colleg...

Kapiolani Community Colle...

Kennesaw State University

Lake Technical College- E...

Massachusetts Bay Communi...

Massachusetts College Of...

Milwaukee Area Technical...

Montana State University-...

Moravian College

National Park College

Navarro College- Corsican...

Nebraska Methodist Colleg...

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwest Iowa Community...

Northwest Louisiana Techn...

Northwestern State Univer...

Pennsylvania State Univer...

Prince William Sound Coll...

Saint Anselm College

Saint Louis University-ma...

San Antonio College

San Joaquin Valley Colleg...

Siena College

Southwest Mississippi Com...

Stark State College- Akro...

Sullivan University- Cent...

Sullivan University- Loui...

Suny Adirondack

Suny At Delhi

Suny Niagara County Commu...

Suny North Country Commun...

University Of California-...

University Of Michigan- A...

University Of North Carol...

University Of Pennsylvani...

University Of Rochester

University Of Vermont

University Of Virginia

University Of Wisconsin-...

Villanova University

Vista College- El Paso Ca...

Washburn University- Inst...

Weber State University- D...

Wesleyan College

Assiniboine Community...

Bow Valley College- Ai...

Bow Valley College- Do...

Bow Valley College- Hi...

Bow Valley College- Ok...

Bow Valley College- St...

Brandon University

Canadore College- Coll...

Canadore College- West...

Cdi College- Richmond...

Cdi College- Surrey Ca...

College Of New Caledon...

College Of The North A...

Conestoga College- Doo...

George Brown College-...

Great Plains College-...

Keyano College- Clearw...

Lakehead University- O...

Lambton College

Langara College

Mohawk College- Instit...

Mohawk College- Six Na...

New Brunswick Communit...

Nicola Valley Institut...

Northern Lights Colleg...

Northlands College- Cr...

Nova Scotia Community...

Okanagan Valley Colleg...

Oulton College- Main C...

Portage College- Cold...

Portage College- Lac L...

Portage College- St. P...

Saskatchewan Polytechn...

Seneca College- King C...

Seneca College- Yorkga...

Southeast Regional Col...

Sprott Shaw Community...

St. Claire College- Ch...

St. Lawrence College-...

Stenberg College

Thompson Rivers Univer...

Universite De Montreal...

Université Sainte-anne

University College Of...

University Of Northern...

University Of The Fraz...

Vancouver Career Colle...

Yukon University

Vancouver Island Univer...

USA

Canada

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Dashanna K. Mcneil Memori...

Approx Salary Expectation

Low End:

$50,000.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$64,000.00 /yr

High End:

$83,000.00 /yr

Related Careers

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References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.