Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN) Career Guide

What Is A Licensed Practical Nurse?

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a person who has completed a state-approved and accredited nursing education program and has been licensed to provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician.

Choosing the right program to get started is an important step to becoming a licensed practical nurse. Bryant & Stratton College’s Practical Nursing Diploma program can help you earn your credentials in under a year and prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam.

Practical Nurse vs Vocational Nurse: LPN vs LVN

In Texas and California, LPNs are referred to as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). In the rest of the United States LPN is the proper terminology. The job duties for these positions are essentially the same. Both LPNs and LVNs provide basic care to patients under the supervision of physicians or other advanced practice professionals. To qualify for an LPN or LVN position, you will need to pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

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What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?

Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Vocational Nurses work in a wide variety of locations within The duties of a Licensed Practical Nurse vary in their basic care duties to some degree per their specific employment setting and situation. They also differ from one state to another per regulations put into place by each state’s Board of Nursing. However, most Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses will be accountable for the following job responsibilities:

Monitoring patients’ vital signs
Working with nursing staff and patients to execute patient care plans
Monitoring and reporting patient status and needs to nurses and physicians
Keeping records on patients’ health
Cleaning wounds and changing dressings
Assisting patients with personal care tasks, such as bathing, dressing or feeding
Supervising Nursing Assistants and Aides

In some states, LPNs/LVNs with advanced training may administer medications or start intravenous (IV) drips. They may also, depending upon the state, be charged with duties like collecting samples for lab tests, performing routine lab tests, applying and maintaining catheters, aiding in the delivery and care of infants, taking patient blood pressure, and helping with patient education on health and self-care matters, among other tasks.

What are the steps to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse?

Practical Nursing Diploma

12 months

Approximate Program Length

41 credits

Total Credits

January 14

Next Start Date

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Earning your practical nursing diploma with Bryant & Stratton College will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to enter the nursing profession. It will also prepare you to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Licensed Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to earn your practical nursing license.

Where to Earn Your Practical Nursing Diploma

If you aren’t sure where to start, consider the locations where we offer this in person program:

Ohio: Akron, Parma, Solon
Virginia: Hampton, Richmond, Virginia Beach
Wisconsin: Racine, Wauwatosa

Get a Head Start With Bryant & Stratton College’s Stackable Nursing Programs

Additionally, earning Bryant & Stratton College’s Practical Nursing Diploma and passing the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed gives you the opportunity to transfer credits you earned from your diploma-level program to the college’s Nursing Associate Degree program. This can give you a head start on continuing your education to become a Registered Nurse, credentials that represent a big step towards building a solid career in the field of nursing.

Earning your nursing diploma and passing the certification to become an LPN are the initial steps toward this career.

Related Degrees

AAS / ADN Nursing

Want to turn your passion for care into a career? Get there with our nursing associate degree. Earning your nursing degree can open pathways to a rewarding career, eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse, and further your education.

Next On-Campus Start Date:
January 14

Total Credit Hours: 72

Approximate Program Length:
20 months

On-Campus

BS Nursing Generalist (OH, WI)

Learn the skills required to pursue a career as a nurse in a clinical setting. Graduates will gain the knowledge to provide support in a wide range of healthcare settings and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and become a registered nurse.

Next On-Campus Start Date:
January 14

Total Credit Hours: 125

Approximate Program Length:
32 months

On-Campus

BS Nursing – RN to BSN and RN to BS

The online RN to BSN and RN to BS program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This program is for registered nurses who are looking to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The program is offered online in all states except New York, providing flexibility for working nurses. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to make the transition to professional nursing in a variety of settings.

Next Online Start Date:
January 14

Total Credit Hours: 122

Approximate Program Length:
40 months

Online

Next Start Dates

Our flexible delivery model is designed to cater to diverse schedules and preferences, offering many different terms to accommodate the unique needs of our students. With starts available every 8 to 16 weeks, you have the freedom to choose a timeline that aligns with your lifestyle and commitments.

This approach ensures that you can embark on your educational journey at a time that suits you best, providing the convenience and accessibility necessary for a successful learning experience.

Academic Calendar

Career Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses

What is the projected job growth?

People who are thinking of becoming a LPN/LVN can expect a favorable job environment for advancing their career, according to BLS projections. The agency predicts that job growth for this occupation will keep pace with the average for all occupations, with employment for LPNs/LVNs rising by 3 from 2023 to 2033.

BLS also states that job prospects are likely to be most favorable for LPNs/LVNs who are qualified for specialties, such as IV therapy or gerontology, or those who are willing to work in rural areas or in locations that are medically underserved.

Long-term Opportunities in Healthcare

BLS states that factors spurring that growth will include increased demand for healthcare services from the aging baby-boom generation, as well as increasing incidence of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity.

Due to these factors, LPNs/LVNs are expected to find growing opportunities in a variety of health care settings, including:

Hospitals
Home health care agencies
Long-term care centers
Outpatient care clinics
Skilled nursing facilities
And more!

While these projections can help career-minded people evaluate potential employment fields, it is important to note that job market data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook is only intended to provide insight on occupational opportunities. It should not be construed as a guarantee of salary or job title. Neither BLS nor Bryant & Stratton College can guarantee employment in any field.

What Skills Do You Need as a Licensed Practical Nurse?

Attention to detail: being detail-oriented is a key skill that enables you to review requests for compliance and accuracy. This responsibility is vital to ensuring the financial records of a business meet certain standards and are audit-ready.
Effective communication: being able to clearly communicate financial insights, data analysis, and recommended actions is essential. Stakeholders in your business look to you, in both written and verbal communications, to distill your findings in a way that is understandable.
Analytical insights: Providing well-informed recommendations and reports to business leaders is an important contribution of budget analysts. Being able to effectively evaluate spending, review budgets, and research industry benchmarks are important skills to maintain.
Technical proficiency: budget analysts frequently use different software tools to manage and analyze data. Continued development in this area will help you stay ahead of changes in the industry.

In addition to being detail oriented, budget analysts must have good analytical, communication, math and writing skills. While additional mathematics courses may put you ahead of the pack, your degree will provide you with the firm foundation, needed to excel.

Gain Real World Experience at Bryant & Stratton College

Through our partnership network, students are provided with opportunities to actively apply their learnings in real-world settings.

There are several benefits to internship experiences that can impact your career success. Internships can provide insight into the hiring process, help you sharpen your professional skills, and learn to work with confidence in real-world situations.

Plus, internships are a valuable way to prove yourself to potential employers who may want to hire you as a result. You can also start developing a network of peers and mentors you can lean on for guidance and support. If you want to learn how we connect students with local internships that align with their goals, request info today.

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Amber Hartman - AAS Nursing, Virginia Beach

All of the skills from lab and clinical hours have been instrumental to my success working in the hospital. I have been told countless times from other nurses on my unit that I am confident in my skills. They say I don't look like I am fresh from school; that it seems I have been doing this job for some time. The instructors at the Virginia Beach campus are amazing and truly enjoy teaching us baby nurses to be amazing once we graduate.
Amber Hartman, RN AAS Nursing, Virginia Beach

A smiling woman in a white nurse uniform and cap stands outdoors in a garden with blooming flowers and green trees in the background.

My favorite part of the nursing program at B&SC was the small classroom environment and being able to be 1:1 with my professors if needed and making close relationships with my classmates. I felt comfortable asking questions and getting help if needed because all my teachers knew all their students on a first name basis, unlike bigger schools.
Raelyn Johnson Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A woman with long braided hair, glasses, and hoop earrings is smiling widely. She is wearing a black top and a lanyard, with a soft blue and gray background behind her.

All of the instructors that I had the privilege of learning from the LPN and RN program helped me be more dedicated to myself and never give up no matter how many setbacks. Keep pushing until you finish the program. The bonds developed will forever hold precious memories in my heart.
Domonique Edwards Practical Nursing Diploma & Associate Degree in Nursing (PN & ADN)

A smiling person wearing a blue shirt and a gray headband sits in a car holding a bouquet of flowers wrapped in brown paper. They have an ID badge and purple lanyard around their neck. Trees are visible through the car window.

My favorite part about the nursing program at Bryant & Stratton College was the flexibility. I was able to work full time and go to school full time. I was able to move classes around to make it a little easier to continue to be able to support myself and my family
Amanda Martin Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Browse our Nursing Blogs and Unlock Valuable Insights

For insights into a career as a nurse, please visit the Healthcare Degrees section of our blog. Here you will find valuable information about nursing and healthcare careers. Explore the website and be sure to visit the Nursing Degree Programs page.

Licensed Practical Nurse

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