Healthcare is consistently recognized as a booming industry in the United States. Today, nurses are among the most in-demand (and most-valued) professions in the healthcare industry.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are no exception. LPNs provide basic medical care and comfort to sick, injured, and disabled patients. Below, we’ll discover more about what licensed practical nurses (LPNs) do, as well as explore the LPN salary potential and job outlook for licensed practical nurses.
What is a licensed practical nurse (LPN)?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are caregivers who support registered nurses (RNs) and physicians in providing quality healthcare. LPNs monitor patients’ progress, listen to their needs, and pass on a patient’s concerns to the larger care team. LPNs also work under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician, carrying out routine tasks like taking vital signs and dressing wounds.
While they primarily focus on patient care, the actual work of an LPN involves so much more. In fact, these practical nurses are often patients’ primary point of contact, meaning they can make a difference in patients’ experiences (and lives).
Additional job responsibilities include:
- Administering medication and IV fluids (in some states only)
- Assisting with bathing and dressing
- Changing bandages
- Collecting laboratory samples and running basic lab tests
- Discussing care with patients and listening to their concerns
- Documenting patient care and maintaining records
- Ensuring patients are comfortable and tended to and reporting needs back to a doctor or nurse
- Monitoring patients’ health by checking body temperature, blood pressure, and other vitals
What is the LPN salary?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) earn a median annual salary of $59,730, with the highest ten percent earning more than $77,870. Beyond this, the median annual salaries for LPNs in the top industries are:
- Government – $63,340
- Nursing and residential care facilities – $61,690
- Home healthcare services – $58,620
- Hospitals; state, local, and private – $54,490
- Offices of physicians – $51,820
While registered nurses (RNs) make more money with a median annual salary of $86,070, they also spend more time in school than LPNs. This means LPNs have a shorter investment in their education, but still reap the benefits of a good salary after graduation.
At Goodwin University, our flexible and convenient Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate program is designed to meet your personal and professional needs, with full and part-time class formats and options. Students can complete the License Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate program in 16‑28 months.
On the other hand, Goodwin University’s Registered Nursing (RN) degree programs can take 18 months or more to complete, depending on the degree, and that doesn’t include the general education prerequisite courses.
Unsure whether an RN or LPN career is right for you? Weigh your options here!
What is the LPN job outlook?
The LPN job outlook is promising across the US, to say the least. LPNs can find work across the country in all states and regions. And though salaries vary depending on location and experience, jobs are plentiful, and practical nurses are in high demand.
According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, LPNs can expect to see about 54,400 job openings each year between 2022 and 2032, with a growth rate of about 5 percent.
Licensed practical nurses, like registered nurses (RNs), work in various healthcare settings, including:
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Private homes
- Rehab centers and facilities
- Residential care centers
Typically, licensed practical nurses work full-time with shifts longer than eight hours and some working nights, weekends, and holidays.
Goodwin University’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate Program
If you are passionate about helping people live longer and healthier lives and eager to start a career in healthcare as soon as possible, you should strongly consider the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Certificate program at Goodwin University,
As an LPN student at Goodwin University, you’ll benefit from a comprehensive curriculum taught by expert Nursing faculty.
Plus, our students have access to clinical opportunities throughout the state to gain practical, hands-on experience in the field.
Our program provides the knowledge, experience, and insight necessary to make informed decisions in various healthcare situations with classes in:
- Clinical Nursing I-IV: This class builds students’ clinical skills through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences in laboratory and healthcare settings. Students learn essential patient assessment techniques, caregiving procedures, and best practices for providing safe and effective care.
- Fundamentals I-II: This course introduces students to the core principles of nursing, including medical terminology, infection control, legal and ethical considerations, and basic patient care skills.
- Growth and Development I-II: Provides an understanding of human development from infancy through geriatrics.
Maternal and Pediatrics: Covers maternal and child health, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and pediatric care considerations. - Medical Surgical I-III: Learn about various disease processes, common surgical interventions, and post-operative care.
Mental Health: This course will help candidates develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide compassionate care to patients with mental health conditions. - Pharmacology: Learn how to administer medication safely, including understanding medication classifications, side effects, and interactions.
We also offer longer and more advanced programs and degrees for those interested in becoming registered nurses, including:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)