Practical Nursing – LPN

Practical Nurse Occupation Information

See each topic below for more information about the potential of being a Practical Nurse.

• Nature of the Work

  Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (known as LPNs or LVNs, depending on the state in which they work) provide basic medical care. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.

  Duties. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses typically do the following:

  • Monitor patients’ health – for example, by checking their blood pressure.
  • Administer basic nursing care, including changing bandages and inserting catheters.
  • Provide for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress.
  • Discuss health care with patients and listen to their concerns
  • Report patients’ status to registered nurses and doctors
  • Keep records on patients’ health

  Experienced licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses oversee and direct other LPNs or LVNs and unlicensed medical staff. The LPN school at Delta College aims to not only educate students on the fundamentals of practical nursing, but also to train them with hands-on experience.

• Job Outlook

  Employment of licensed practical nurses is expected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. As the U.S. population ages, the overall need for healthcare is expected to increase. A large number of licensed practical nurses are expected to retire over the coming decade. Job prospects should, therefore, be excellent for licensed and experienced LPNs.

• Earnings

  The median annual wage of licensed practical nurses was $48,820 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than the amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,570, and the top 10 percent earned more than $65,520.

  *Information taken from the Occupational Outlook Handbook on the internet 9/15/2021