Where Can a Practical Nurse Work?
Where can a practical nurse work? The answer is nearly everywhere healthcare is delivered. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are essential care providers in skilled nursing facilities, acute care hospitals, outpatient offices, home health, and much more. LPN workplaces are varied, and whichever specialty or schedule you prefer, you’ll have options with this career path.
Ready to answer the question, Where can a practical nurse work? Let’s dig into work settings, duties, and income averages for each area.
Where Can a Licensed Practical Nurse Work? 7 Areas
- Post-acute and long-term care
- Hospitals
- Home health
- Ambulatory care
- Government
- Schools
1. Post-Acute and Long-Term Care LPN Roles
Nursing care facilities are the largest employer type for LPNs and LVNs. Patients in these areas may have memory issues, mobility deficits, or be recovering from injuries. Residential facilities give LPNs the chance to get to know their patients more intimately and make a long-term impact on their lives. Responsibilities in these areas may include gathering vital signs, administering medications, providing patient education, and more.
Here are the average annual salaries for LPNs by facility type below:
- Skilled nursing facilities: $67,420
- Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities: $65,040
- Nursing and residential facilities: $66,660
- Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance Abuse Facilities: $62,050
Curious about the differences between the facility types above? Learn more information about the areas below:
- Long-term care
- Assisted living facilities
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNF)
- Rehab nursing
Find the latest LPN memory care jobs on IntelyCare.
2. Hospital LPN Roles
Where can LPNs work besides nursing homes? Hospitals are the next most common employers for LPNs. Acute care centers are for patients who are too sick to be at home. In these settings, you might care for people experiencing exacerbations of chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart disease. Injuries, pneumonia, cancer, and surgical recovery are other common patient issues.
Here are the average annual LPN salaries in hospital facilities:
- Specialty hospitals (except psychiatric and substance abuse): $65,150
- Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals: $63,540
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $59,400
Where can LPNs work in hospitals? If you’re considering a role in acute care, there are many specialties to choose from. Check out some of the nursing specialty options below:
- Med-surg
- Cardiac care
- Pediatrics
- Progressive care
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Labor and delivery
- Emergency department (ED or ER)
Find the latest LPN ER jobs, LPN pediatric jobs, and LPN labor and delivery jobs on IntelyCare.
3. Home Health LPN Roles
Home health agencies are another major employer for LPNs. In home health, you provide care to patients in their own homes, helping them maintain independence while receiving medical treatment. Patients may be recovering from surgery, needing home dialysis or tracheostomy care, or receiving hospice or palliative care.
Are you wondering, Where can you work being a practical nurse? Home health nursing is a great option. It allows you to build strong relationships with patients and their families. You’ll be the eyes and ears for the healthcare team, monitoring for changes in condition and reporting back to physicians or RNs. Care may include wound care, medication administration, monitoring vital signs, and patient education.
LPNs in home health care services earn an average salary of $64,270 per year.
Find the latest LPN hospice jobs, LPN home health jobs, and LPN wound care jobs on IntelyCare.
4. Ambulatory Care LPN Roles
LPNs in ambulatory care might work in outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, urgent care, and specialty areas like dialysis. Patients in these settings need routine care, sometimes preventatively, sometimes as treatment for conditions.
Depending on the type of setting, an LPN might administer vaccines, assist with patient intakes, set follow-up appointments, and more. If you’re a people person and enjoy a fast-paced work environment, ambulatory care might be a great setting for you.
Check out the average annual LPN salaries for ambulatory care settings:
- Outpatient care centers: $69,630
- Medical and diagnostic laboratories: $65,650
- Ambulatory health care services: $62,410
- Personal care services: $57,920
- Offices of physicians: $57,680
Find the latest LPN outpatient jobs and LPN urgent care jobs on IntelyCare.
5. Government LPN Jobs
LPNs in government roles provide essential healthcare services such as immunizations, health screenings, medication administration, and chronic disease management. They often work with diverse populations, including underserved communities and individuals involved with the justice system. Government nursing jobs can offer competitive benefits, job stability, and opportunities to contribute to public health initiatives.
Here are the average annual salaries for government LPNs:
- Federal executive branch:$71,580
- State government, excluding schools and hospitals:$62,750
- Local government, excluding schools and hospitals:$60,370
- Social assistance: $59,940
Where can an LPN work for the government? See more information about types of government jobs below:
- Public health nursing
- Community health nursing
- Correctional facilities
- Veterans’ hospitals (VA)
- Military nursing
Find the latest Veterans Health Administration nursing jobs and correctional nurse jobs on IntelyCare.
6. School LPN Roles
In school settings, LPNs manage routine health screenings, administer medications, provide general first aid, and support student wellbeing. They often collaborate closely with school nurses, teachers, and parents to ensure students’ health needs are met. This role typically offers a structured schedule aligned with the academic year, making it appealing for nurses seeking predictable hours and summer breaks.
Here are the average annual school LPN salaries:
Find the latest LPN school nurse jobs on IntelyCare.
Where LPNs Work: FAQ
What’s required to become an LPN?
To enter this field, LPNs must complete a practical nurse training program, which takes one to two years and includes clinical rotations for real-world experience. Programs can cost between $4,000 and $30,000, but you may be able to find financial aid for LPN school. Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and complete state licensure requirements.
Can an LPN work in any state?
Yes, provided they have a license in that state. A compact license enables an LPN to work in states that are members of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Learn more about getting licensed in compact states.
What clinical tasks are LPNs allowed to do?
The scope of practice of an LPN is different from that of a registered nurse (RN). LPNs help patients with activities of daily living, administer some medications, and may do other tasks under RN supervision.
What cities employ the most LPNs?
See roles in the areas with the highest employment of LPNs and LVNs:
Can LPNs be travel nurses?
Absolutely. LPNs across specialties can take on temporary travel contracts, and they tend to earn more income on these short-term assignments. Learn more about how to become a travel LPN and check out the latest travel LPN jobs and travel LVN jobs on IntelyCare.
What’s the typical LPN salary?
On average, LPNs in the United States earn $64,150 per year. However, income varies widely based on work setting, location, specialty certifications, schedule, and much more.
What jobs can LPNs do from home?
LPNs can work remotely. Consider jobs in medical billing, remote patient monitoring, call centers, and other areas. Learn more about jobs that let you work from home as a nurse and find the remote LPN jobs in your area.
Find Roles for LPNs and LVNs
Where can a practical nurse work in your area? Find out with our personalized job notifications that send you alerts when roles open up that match your skills, schedule, and location. Learn more today.