Probably the fastest path to a nursing career is becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), also called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). In most states, you will only have to train to become an LPN for a year and you're on your way to wearing your first discount landau scrubs. For those who want to work and earn money sooner or for those who are considering taking nursing as a second career, becoming an LPN offers distinct advantages. LPNs and LVNs are in high demand not only in hospitals but outside of hospitals as well such as in home health care services, outpatient facilities, nursing care facilities, and long term care facilities.

What does an LPN do?

Licensed practical nurses give direct patient care under the supervision and direction of registered nurses and doctors. They attend to patients as the circumstances prescribe and responsibilities may include taking vital signs, gathering patient health information, treating bedsores, watching catheters, applying dressings and bandages, preparing and administering injections, feeding patients, collecting lab samples for testing, performing routine lab tests, assisting patients with their personal hygiene, providing massages or rubs, monitoring food and liquid input and output, and teaching patients and their family members about good nutrition and health habits among other things. Tenured and experience LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aids.

What is the salary range of LPNs?

According to the Bureau Labor of Statistics, licensed practical nurses earn an average salary of $31,080 to $46,640 a year. LPNs and LVNs in employment services earn the highest median salary at $42,110 while LPNs and LVNs in home health care services and nursing care facilities have the next highest median salaries, respectively at $38,320 and $37,880. LPNs and LVNs in hospitals can earn an average of $35,000 a year while LPNs and LVNs working in physician's offices earn a median annual salary of $32,710.

The future of licensed practical nursing

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, jobs of LPNs and LVNs will increase by 14% over a 10-year span. Hospitals will consistently employ more LPNs every year but more opportunities abound outside hospitals. The greatest number of new nursing jobs can be found in nursing care facilities and home health care services. This can be expected and almost guaranteed primarily because of the ageing baby boomer population who demand more health care services in the coming years come their retirement. In addition to this, advanced medical technologies have made it possible for patients to get procedures done in outpatient care facilities, where before, these procedures could only be done in hospitals by licensed physicians or surgeons. Licensed practical nurses play an important role in caring for patients who undergo these advanced technology procedures, offering assistance in the outpatient care facility as well as in the patient's home.

Starting now

If you have decided that you want to be a licensed practical nurse or a licensed volunteer nurse, you should start by earning an LPN degree through LPN nursing schools and educational programs. This can be completed within a year's time, training in a hospital, technical vocational school or community college.