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Licensed Practical Nurse Degree - Online and Campus Programs

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides basic care for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors' offices, and in patient homes. Licensed practical nurses report directly to registered nurses and physicians. Licensed practical nurses provide bedside care, such as:

Monitoring vital signs
Assisting with patients' comfort
Taking fluid samples
Performing medical tests and procedures

Licensed practical nurses must be:

Observant
A good communicator
Able to make sound decisions
Able to work under close supervision

What to Know About Licensed Practical Nurse Training and Degrees

Licensed practical nurse training varies state to state. Generally, each state requires a state-specific licensed practical nurse degree. You can earn your degree through vocational schools and community colleges. You can sometimes find degree programs through high schools, hospitals, colleges, and universities. Many LPN programs take one year to complete and combine classroom study with clinical practice. You may also consider earning an accelerated licensed practical nurse to registered nurse degree. An accelerated licensed practical nursing program can help you become a registered nurse more quickly, by using your LPN training to advance in the program.

Licensed Practical Nurse Career Outlook

As of May 2008, the median annual salary for licensed practical nurses was $39,030. LPNs earned the highest salary, $44,690, in employment services. They earned the lowest salary, $35,020, in physicians' offices. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPN job opportunities will grow 21 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Becoming a licensed practical nurse can open the door to a fascinating job in the health care industry.