Occupation · SOC 29-2061
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Median wage
$62,340
$47,960–$80,510
Projected growth
+2.6%
Slower than average
Annual openings
1,710
per year
Employed (US)
632,430
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
287 mapped
Core skills
Service OrientationSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationSpeakingMonitoringActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningWritingComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesInstructingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationPersuasionNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesScienceOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingEquipment SelectionRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePsychologyMedicine and DentistryAdministration and ManagementEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativePublic Safety and SecurityTelecommunicationsBiologySociology and AnthropologyCommunications and MediaPersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and GovernmentChemistryPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageEconomics and AccountingTransportationSales and MarketingPhysicsProduction and ProcessingEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalFood ProductionGeographyDesignFine ArtsHistory and ArcheologyBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Diagnostic and procedural coding softwareElectronic medical record EMR softwareEpic SystemsFaceTimeGoogle DriveHealthcare common procedure coding system HCPCSInfusion management softwareInventory tracking softwareMEDITECH softwareMedicWare EMRMedical condition coding softwareMedical procedure coding softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExchangeMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordPointClickCare healthcare softwarePrescription processing softwareScheduling softwareSpreadsheet softwareTelephone triage softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing softwareYouTubeZoomeClinicalWorks EHR software
Representative tasks
Assisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersWorking with ComputersProcessing InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDeveloping and Building TeamsAnalyzing Data or InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleScheduling Work and ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Vital signs and routine assessments — collect and document on stable patients under an RN's review.Medication administration within LPN scope — administer per state-practice-act limits and facility protocol.Standard treatments (wound dressings, urinary catheter care, oxygen titration) — perform on routine assignments.Patient identifiers and safety checks — execute reliably before any procedure or administration.Charting in the EHR — enter assessments, treatments, and outcomes accurately under RN review.Patient education on common conditions — deliver from facility-approved materials under supervision.Specimen collection (blood draws within scope, urine, wound cultures) — obtain per protocol.Communication with the RN charge — escalate appropriately on out-of-norm findings.Infection control and isolation precautions — apply consistently across patient encounters.Personal protective equipment + body mechanics — apply on transfers and treatments.
developing
Multi-patient assignments — organize and prioritize across an LPN-staffed hallway shift.IV initiation and maintenance within LPN scope — perform reliably where state practice permits.Treatment plans for common diagnoses — execute from RN-developed plans with reduced oversight.Stable but complex patients — provide care across multiple comorbidities under RN supervision.Family-member interactions on common concerns — handle directly and route clinical questions to the RN.Patient education and discharge teaching — deliver on a routine basis without RN follow-up.Newer LPNs and nursing assistants — guide on facility routines during their first weeks.EHR documentation for regulatory compliance — complete accurately across an entire shift.Common procedures (Foley insertion, NG tube management, glucose monitoring) — perform independently.Subtle changes in patient status — recognize and report to the RN charge or attending.
proficient
Complex routine patients in long-term care — provide care autonomously within scope of practice.Charge-LPN responsibilities (where the state and facility permit) — coordinate hallway team during a shift.Specialty-area protocols (dialysis support, hospice, post-op recovery) — apply within scope.Difficult patient and family conversations on routine clinical issues — handle within LPN authority.New protocols and EHR changes — implement and coach LPN and CNA peers.Preceptorship of new-grad LPNs — host structured orientations.Quality and safety concerns — identify, report, and follow through using facility processes.Care-team coordination (dietary, social work, rehab) — collaborate substantively in care conferences.Common-issue physician collaboration — communicate findings clearly enough to prompt the right order.Cross-shift handoffs and SBAR-style reports — deliver clearly to incoming staff.
advanced
LPN charge or supervisor role in long-term care — manage staffing, breaks, and care assignments across a unit.Restorative care or specialty-program leadership — design and audit on a unit alongside RN leadership.Preceptorship and clinical-teaching role for the LPN program — coach across cohorts.Survey readiness (state, CMS) — prepare the unit and represent staff in walkthroughs.Unit-level quality measures (medication errors, falls, pressure ulcers) — interpret trends and respond.Career pathway coaching (LPN-to-RN bridge programs) — mentor staff who want to advance.Senior advocate for LPN-staff voice — represent on facility committees and in leadership meetings.Regulatory and scope-of-practice updates — interpret and operationalize for the team as states evolve.Mass-care or surge-staffing situations — lead the LPN response with composure.Long-term-care operations — partner with administration on staffing models and clinical practice.
Also known as
16 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Charge NurseClinic Licensed Practical Nurse (Clinic LPN)Clinic NurseHome Health Licensed Practical Nurse (Home Health LPN)Licensed Care Coordinator (LCC)Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)Long Term Care LPN (Long Term Care Licensed Practical Nurse)Medical LPN (Medical Licensed Practical Nurse)Nursing Home LPN (Nursing Home Licensed Practical Nurse)Office NursePediatric LPN (Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse)Private Duty Licensed Practical Nurse (Private Duty LPN)Private Duty NurseRadiation Oncology NurseTriage LPN (Triage Licensed Practical Nurse)