[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you looking for a shortened path into the nursing field so you can make a difference in patients’ lives? You can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), and start your career in 1-2 years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs provide basic patient care and comfort under the supervision of [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] (RN). Learn what LPNs do, where they work, how much they make, and how to become one. Find out if this career is right for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm” style=”text-align:right”]Sources: BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Does an LPN Do?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision of registered nurses. Most LPNs work with older adults in [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/hospice-nurse/”]hospice care[/hen-ui-link], assisted living, skilled nursing, or home health.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They may also work in rehabilitation and help patients with basic care needs such as moving, bathing, eating, and dressing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs provide basic patient care including taking patient histories, monitoring vital signs, examining and treating wounds, and giving medications. They can start and check IVs, but they cannot start IV medications or IV push medications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Where Do LPNs Work?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most LPNs care for older adults in home health, assisted living, and skilled nursing settings. Many LPNs may also work in physicians’ offices and other outpatient settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Home Health[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs provide patient care and comfort to patients in their homes. LPNs dress wounds, monitor vital signs, give patients medications, and work with RNs to create and carry out care plans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most LPNs work in these settings. They monitor vital signs, check and treat wounds, keep patient records, and report patient changes to RNs. They may also supervise certified nursing assistants (CNA).[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Offices of Physicians[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs take patient histories, monitor vitals, update patient records, and report to RNs and physicians. LPNs work fewer hours in this setting because most physicians’ offices are open only for eight hours on weekdays.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Why Become an LPN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Becoming an LPN has a few pros and cons. As an LPN, you’ll have limited autonomy, but you may have advancement opportunities after you gain years of experience, even without becoming an RN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Become an LPN[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You must complete an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]LPN/LVN program[/hen-ui-link], pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), get your LPN/LVN license, find employment, and consider earning relevant certifications [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/lpn-lvn/how-to-become/”]to become an LPN.[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/best-lpn-nursing-programs/”]LPN/LVN programs[/hen-ui-link] consist of 45-50 credits and take 1-2 years to complete, depending on whether you go to school full-time or work while you go to school part-time.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After you complete the program, you need to pass the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nclex/guide/”]NCLEX-PN[/hen-ui-link], so you can get your LPN/LVN license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.page” target=”_blank”]National Council of State Boards of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (NCSBN) uses the NCLEX-PN to test your care coordination skills under the supervision of RNs, and make sure you have the clinical knowledge and reasoning to be successful as an LPN.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After you get your LPN license, you can apply for jobs in skilled nursing, outpatient care, home healthcare, or residential care. After you complete the below experience requirements, you can apply for certification in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Gerontology from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nalpnef.org/” target=”_blank”]NALPN Education Foundation [/hen-ui-link](Six months of experience)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wound Care Certified Certification from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.nawccb.org/wound-care-certification” target=”_blank”]National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy[/hen-ui-link] (Two years of experience)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Hospice and palliative care from the [hen-ui-link href=”https://advancingexpertcare.org/certification” target=”_blank”]Hospice and Palliative Care Association[/hen-ui-link] (500-1000 hours)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]LPN Concentrations and Specializations[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can choose between various specialties. Some of these specialties such as gerontology even offer certification, which may lead to [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/best-paying-lpn-nursing-jobs/”]higher-paying positions as an LPN[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”3″ gap=”md”] [hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Geriatric / Gerontology[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Geriatric or Gerontology LPNs work in nursing homes, physician offices, and hospitals. They recognize abuse and neglect, educate patients and their families, take vital signs, and create and carry out care plans with RNs and physicians.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$47,000[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Rehabilitation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Rehabilitation LPNs work in assisted living facilities, patients’ homes, or hospitals to help patients bathe, dress, and regain as much movement as possible after injury or surgery.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$50,000[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”text-primary-700 text-xl”]Palliative Care/Hospice[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs who work in palliative care or hospice care for patients with terminal illnesses. They provide pain management, comfort, and guidance for the patient and family about quality-of-life decisions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salary[hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]$47,500[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm” style=”text-align:right”]Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.journalofnursingregulation.com/article/S2155-8256(21)00027-2/fulltext#secst0335″ target=”_blank”]The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do LPNs Make?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]Licensed practical nurses make[/hen-ui-link] an average of $29.97 an hour, according to data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2024. LPNs make an average salary of $62,340 a year. The highest-paid LPNs make more than $80,510 annually. The lowest-paid LPNs make less than $47,960 a year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]BLS projects 3% job growth for LPNs between 2023-2033. BLS projects 16,900 job openings for LPNs/LVNs each year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs may earn more than average based on their years of experience and skills. LPNs with 10-19 years of experience may earn 3% more than average, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Licensed_Practical_Nurse_(LPN)/Hourly_Rate” target=”_blank”]Payscale data from July 2025[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs with more than 20 years of experience may earn 6% higher salaries than average. LPNs can earn more than average if they have skills such as hospice, home care, telemedicine, risk management, and quality control.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About LPNs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How long does it take to become an LPN?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can become an LPN in 1-2 years after completing an LPN/LVN program with 45-50 credits, passing the NCLEX-PN, and getting your LPN license. Depending on how many credits you complete in a semester, you may earn your degree faster or slower than average. For example, if you work while in school, you may take longer to become an LPN.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What’s the difference between an LPN and an RN?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The main [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//lpn-vs-rn-roles/”]difference between LPNs and RNs[/hen-ui-link] is LPNs have a more limited scope than RNs. LPNs often work under RNs to carry out care plans created by physicians, nurse practitioners (NP), and registered nurses. RNs work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to manage patient care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What exactly does an LPN do?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An LPN provides basic care and comfort for patients, including dressing wounds, giving medications, and taking vital signs. They also take patient histories, answer patients’ questions about their conditions and treatment plans, and communicate with RNs, NPs, and physicians about patients.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is an LPN’s salary?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An LPN makes an average annual salary of $62,340, according to BLS data from 2024. LPNs make an average of $29.97 an hour. Your salary as an LPN may vary depending on your state, skills, and years of experience.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”34414,34024,38809″][/hen-ui-article-row][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Page last reviewed February 24, 2023[/hen-ui-text]