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Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse

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All About Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

Occupation Description Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

LP or LV Nurse Responsibilities

  • Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
  • Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
  • Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
  • Prepare or examine food trays for conformance to prescribed diet.
  • Wash and dress bodies of deceased persons.
  • Assist in delivery, care, or feeding of infants.

LP or LV Nurse Skills

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Private Duty Nurse
  • Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE LPN)
  • Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)
  • Clinic Nurse
  • Charge Nurse

Is There Job Demand for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

There were about 724,500 jobs for Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 88,900 new jobs for Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse by 2026. There will be an estimated 62,700 positions for LP or LV Nurse per year.

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The states with the most job growth for LP or LV Nurse are Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Wisconsin, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

LP or LV Nurse Salary

The average yearly salary of a LP or LV Nurse ranges between $33,680 and $62,160.

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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses who work in Rhode Island, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $38,230
Alaska $58,250
Arizona $54,090
Arkansas $39,570
California $56,200
Colorado $51,210
Connecticut $56,970
Delaware $52,860
District of Columbia $53,370
Florida $44,400
Georgia $41,690
Hawaii $50,930
Idaho $44,280
Illinois $51,080
Indiana $44,310
Iowa $42,820
Kansas $43,240
Kentucky $41,920
Louisiana $39,480
Maine $45,610
Maryland $53,650
Massachusetts $58,990
Michigan $49,040
Minnesota $47,020
Mississippi $37,930
Missouri $42,580
Montana $43,770
Nebraska $43,160
Nevada $57,140
New Hampshire $52,510
New Jersey $56,290
New Mexico $47,560
New York $48,770
North Carolina $44,610
North Dakota $46,410
Ohio $43,430
Oklahoma $41,260
Oregon $53,240
Pennsylvania $48,120
Rhode Island $59,130
South Carolina $40,890
South Dakota $38,630
Tennessee $40,120
Texas $46,990
Utah $48,130
Vermont $49,720
Virginia $44,850
Washington $55,420
West Virginia $36,770
Wisconsin $45,290
Wyoming $46,790

What Tools do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Spreadsheet software
  • MEDITECH software
  • Scheduling software
  • Google Drive
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Epic Systems
  • Inventory tracking software
  • Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
  • Medical condition coding software
  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • Diagnostic and procedural coding software
  • PointClickCare
  • Prescription processing software

How do I Become a LP or LV Nurse?

What education or degrees do I need to become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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