Whether you want to earn more money, expand your scope of practice, enjoy a better work-life balance, or explore new interests, there are many reasons for LPNs to change career paths. Further, there are many advantageous and alternative careers for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) today.

Read below to discover four, alternative LPN careers that will leverage your healthcare experience, offer great reward, and still allow you to make everyday difference in patients’ lives.

1. Registered Nurse (RN)

Professional Care Provided:

Perhaps the most obvious, and most often considered, alterative career for LPNs is that of the Registered Nurse (RN). Registered nurses provide direct patient care to individuals and communities. RNs assess and implement treatment plans, maintain records of patient progress, educate the public on health conditions and disease prevention, and more. They often supervise LPNs and other nursing staff, and have great autonomy in their career and patient care approach.

From Contemplation to Career:

Most Registered Nurses have obtained an associate degree in nursing or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Across all states, RNs must also complete a licensing exam to practice. To become licensed, RNs must pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) for registered nurses. If you have already taken LPN courses, you likely have already met the prerequisites for registered nursing school. This can help to accelerate your degree and career change.

Compensation:

The national median yearly salary for Registered Nurses in 2022 was $81,220, while the annual average wage for RNs in Connecticut was $94,260.

Future Considerations in The Field:

From 2022 to 2030, the registered nursing profession is predicted to rise by 6% percent, with 193,100 career openings estimated per year. In other words, there is high demand for qualified RNs in the field.

2. Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Professional Care Provided:

Occupational therapy assistants help patients develop, advance, and sustain the essential skills required for everyday living and working. OTAs assist occupational therapists with procedures and treatments. Occupational therapy assistants may also direct therapeutic programs and document patient progress. OTAs work with many patient populations — for instance, children with developmental disabilities, individuals who sustained a workplace injury, and the elderly.

From Contemplation to Career:

Occupational therapy assistants are required to hold an associate degree in occupational therapy assisting, as well as pass the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) exam. As with the RN pathway, this alternative career option takes about two years to complete. However, some OTA programs offer even faster degree completion.

Compensation:

As of May 2022, the national median annual wage for occupational therapy assistants was $64,250. More state-specific, OTAs working in Connecticut earned an average yearly salary of $66,500.

Future Considerations in The Field:

Employment of OTAs is estimated to increase 23% from 2022 to 2032, with 8,600 new occupational therapy assistant positions opening annually over the decade.

Are looking to begin a career as an LPN? Learn more about our LPN program today and jumpstart your dream career!

3. Respiratory Therapist

Professional Care Provided:

Respiratory therapists care for patients with breathing illnesses across the lifespan — from premature infants to geriatrics. Respiratory therapists examine patients, develop treatment plans with doctors, perform diagnostic tests, and teach patients how to use specialized equipment to succeed in their recovery.

From Contemplation to Career:

Certified Respiratory Therapists earn their associate degree in respiratory therapy and achieve their Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential by passing the required National Board for Respiratory Care exams.

Compensation:

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median salary for respiratory therapists in 2022 was $70,540. In the same year, the average annual compensation for a respiratory therapist working in Connecticut was $76,590.

Future Considerations in The Field:

The job outlook for respiratory therapists is also optimistic. This occupation is projected to grow 13% from 2022 to 2032, with 8,600 expected job openings each year for eligible RTs.

4. Dental Hygienist

Professional Care Provided:

Dental hygienists assess oral hygiene, advise on dental health maintenance, and provide preventative care. Advanced dental hygienists administer anesthesia or fluoride treatment, examine for oral diseases, and educate patients on the relationship between diet and oral health. Additionally, dental hygienists remove stains and plaque from teeth, develop dental x-rays, and document patient treatment plans.

From Contemplation to Career:

Practicing dental hygienists complete their associate degree in dental hygiene and pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam. This pathway can allow you to begin working as a dental hygienist in as few as 24 months.

Compensation:

Dental hygienists earn a median annual wage of $81,400 nationally, while those in the same profession employed in Connecticut make an average salary of $92,180.

Future Considerations in The Field:

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2022 and 2032, Dental hygiene professionals will grow by 7 percent, adding 16,400 jobs each year on average.

Now, let’s compare these alternative career paths to the LPN position:

Professional Care Provided:

Licensed practical nurses provide basic medical care to patients. They work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors, helping to make sure patients are cared for and comfortable. LPNs may also conduct routine laboratory tests, change bandages and catheters, bathe and dress patients, take patients’ vital signs, and monitor patients’ health daily. LPNs report their observations and care to RNs and doctors, and keep records for documentation. They typically work in long-term care settings and nursing homes, though some LPNs work in hospitals.

From Contemplation to Career:

Most states require LPNs to have a diploma from an accredited practical nursing program. Further, LPNs must become licensed through their state’s board examination. Typically, becoming an LPN takes about one year to complete, whereas the above, alternative careers take between 16 to 24 months. However, as you can see in the statistics, there is a reason many choose to advance their career path beyond the LPN role.

Compensation:

On average, LPNs in the United States earn $54,620 per year. LPNs in Connecticut can earn more, averaging a salary of $62,620 annually. However, with just a few more months in school, the pay increase is substantial for the above, alternative career paths.

Future Considerations in The Field:

Like all healthcare careers, the need for LPNs is growing. The BLS estimates 5 percent growth for LPN employment between 2022 and 2032, with 54,400 job openings available each year.

If you’re a licensed practical nurse looking for a career switch—seeking a more rewarding salary, more autonomy in your career, or simply just a change from your current workplace—consider any of the alternative careers for LPNs above. How? Your first step should be to seek an inspiring, career-focused institution like Goodwin University to get you to your goals.

An innovative provider of higher education, Goodwin University specializes in convenient courses so you can study around your schedule — whether you’re honing your skills on campus, on your computer, or a hybrid combination of both.

Goodwin University provides empathetic industry experts so you can learn from instructors and professors with real-world professional experience. In addition, academic advisors, student engagement staff, and the career services team are here to support you to success — from helping you figure out your classes and building your confidence to finding a worthwhile future career you’ll love.

Are you a licensed practical nurse (LPN) looking for alternative career paths? Learn more about rewarding professions as an RN, OTA, respiratory therapist, or dental hygienist today!

Or are you looking to begin a career as a licensed practical nurse? Learn more about our LPN program today!