LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse, a healthcare professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) or doctors, performing tasks like taking vital signs, assisting with patient comfort (bathing, feeding), administering some medications, and updating records in various settings like hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. In some states, LPNs are called Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs).
In general, RNs perform assessments, assist with diagnoses, and develop care plans, and LPNs help gather information for assessments and carry out key tasks to implement existing care plans.
LPN is most like an Enrolled Nurse. Registered nurses have a few paths to licensure. Associate degrees (2 years) and bachelor's degrees (4 years) are the most common.
Yes, LPN school is more demanding than RN school because, in the former, all content has to be grasped within a year, while the latter offers a 2-4 study period. However, this does not rule out the fact that individual experiences are different, and some may find LPN school easier than RN or consider both a breeze.
Greater earning potential: As an RN that has greater responsibilities than an LPN, you have the chance to earn more money than the limited role of an LPN. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for RNs is $29,530 higher than the median annual salary for LPNs.
Becoming an LPN or LVN takes one year and is the quickest way to start a nursing career, though it means a more limited scope of practice. Becoming an RN typically takes 2-4 years, depending on your degree level, and requires graduating from a BSN program.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for both LPNs and RNs remains strong. However, RNs generally earn higher salaries and have faster job growth. LPN Median Pay (2024): About $62,340 per year. RN Median Pay (2024): About $93,600 per year.
Australia has a National Registration which allows LPN's with a visa to work anywhere in the country. You simply apply to the Australian Midwifery Board.
Of the different levels of nursing, the certified nursing assistant occupies the lowest level because this professional requires the least amount of education and training. You'll often find CNAs working for home health agencies and long-term care facilities, although they also work in hospitals and clinics.
Motor skills: As a licensed practical nurse, taking care of patients can be quite a challenge. It's important to know how to use and calibrate equipment including inserting catheters, manipulating intravenous equipment, administering injections, positioning, and transporting patients.
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Research with patients and patient outcomes has shown that nurses with a BSN have better patient outcomes on average. So, in a competitive healthcare market that must maximize patient outcomes, BSN has become the preferred degree for most hiring efforts.
Licensed practical nursing duties vary depending on the state. For instance, in some states, LPNs can start intravenous (IV) fluid drips and give IV medication. In other states, they can't perform these tasks. In most states, LPNs can draw blood, but the exact rules may vary.
Registered nurses undergo a longer course of study. They also often specialize in a particular area of care. For these reasons, they typically have more responsibilities than LPNs. For instance, RNs have more control over patient care and often communicate directly with families.
RNs have more education and a broader scope of practice than LPNs. Because of this, they can practice more independently and perform the full range of nursing tasks, including placing IVs, administering chemotherapy, and much more.
Estimated salaries
The estimated salary for a licensed practical nurse is $88,693 per year in Australia.
Applying for Permanent Residency (PR) as a nurse in Australia involves several crucial steps: Skills Assessment. Expression of Interest (EOI) Invitation to Apply.
In Australia, the nursing specialties in the highest demand are Aged Care, driven by an aging population, and Mental Health, due to increasing need for psychological support, with high demand also for Critical Care/ICU, Paediatrics, Perioperative, and Midwifery, particularly in rural areas. These roles address key healthcare challenges, including chronic disease management in the elderly, rising mental health concerns, and ongoing needs in acute hospital settings, notes Superior Care Group.
So, LPN licensure may allow someone with a restricted budget to start working in the nursing field sooner, allowing them to start saving for more advanced education. On the other hand, getting an RN licensure right away helps nurses advance faster, especially if they choose a BSN track.
Highest-paid LPN jobs
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) have about a year of nursing education, often culminating in a certificate. A minority complete longer programs and walk away with a degree – often an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). Find an LPN or LVN program in your state. The role of an LPN is, as the name suggests, practical.
The fastest nursing programs are Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) programs, often taking 12-15 months for those with a prior bachelor's degree, or LPN/LVN programs, which can be completed in under a year (around 45 weeks) for basic practical nursing. These intensive courses allow you to become a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) much quicker than traditional routes, focusing on core nursing knowledge and clinicals.
Doctorate in Nursing (PhD or DNP): A doctorate is the highest level of nursing education. A PhD focuses on research and advancing nursing knowledge, while a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is practice-focused, preparing nurses for the highest clinical positions or leadership roles.
While an LPN license gets you working quickly, a BSN is the more direct path if your long-term goals include specialty practice, leadership, or maximum earning potential. Many students find that starting with a BSN saves time and money compared to earning an LPN license and later bridging to an RN degree.