Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play an essential role in the larger healthcare system, helping ensure that patients are listened to, tended to, and given the quality of care that they deserve. These compassionate professionals support medical providers with their everyday tasks, but beyond that, they touch the lives of patients and make their days brighter in times of need.

The best part? Landing a career as an LPN can be done in less than two years’ time.

Learn what an LPN is, what the job entails, and how to become an LPN in this guide.

What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the direction of physicians, Registered Nurses, and APRNs. Considered an entry-level nursing role, LPNs perform a variety of important tasks to keep patients comfortable and safe, like taking vital signs and changing bandages.

Beyond their specific patient care tasks, LPNs act as liaisons between patients and providers. They monitor patients closely and communicate critical information to doctors and other nursing staff. All the while, they provide compassionate bedside care to ensure patients are at ease and tended to while receiving treatment.

Licensed Practical Nurses can be found in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, residential care facilities, and outpatient clinics.

What are the key responsibilities of an LPN?

Broadly speaking, the primary role of the LPN is to provide direct medical care to patients in need.

However, each state regulates the scope of practice for LPNs, so their specific job duties will depend on where they work. For example, LPNs can administer intravenous (IV) medications and/or draw blood in some, but not all, states.

Below are some of the typical responsibilities of the LPN:

• Administer medication (IV administration varies by state)
• Change bandages
• Discuss care with patients and their family members
• Help patients with bathing, dressing, and eating
• Insert catheters
• Listen to and help address patients’ concerns
• Maintain medical records and submit reports to providers
• Monitor patient vital signs
• Report patient progress and changes in health status to doctors

It’s important to note that the specific job duties of an LPN can also vary depending on where they work. Licensed Practical Nurses working in hospitals, for example, will often carry out different tasks than those in a nursing home facility.

Learn how to become an LPN in our free guide.

How does an LPN differ from other types of nurses?

Licensed Practical Nurses are different from Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). While these professionals all deliver direct patient care, LPNs have a smaller scope of practice (and less autonomy) than RNs and APRNs. LPNs handle the basic medical duties that are needed to keep patients comfortable and cared for; RNs and APRNs create and coordinate treatment plans.

Here’s an overview of the differences between each nursing profession:

LPN:

LPNs are responsible for basic patient care tasks like monitoring vital signs, administering medications, changing bandages, and keeping patients comfortable. LPNs are supervised by—and report back to—RNs, APRNs, and physicians. Becoming an LPN is a great way to break into nursing quickly and start helping people in need.

RN:

Registered Nurses coordinate care for those who are sick, injured, and disabled, as well as provide preventive patient care. RNs have a wider scope of practice than LPNs, as they see patients through their entire care journey. RNs can be found assessing patient needs and symptoms, developing treatment plans, administering a variety of medications, providing education, operating medical equipment, performing diagnostic tests, and working closely with doctors and physicians to deliver treatment. Becoming an RN requires more time in school than the LPN path.

APRN:

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, known as APRNs for short, provide the highest level of care within the nursing field. These professionals have invested time in graduate school (earning a master’s degree) and often become certified in specialty areas of nursing, like Family Practice or Mental Health. Unlike LPNs and RNs, APRNs can act as primary care providers for patients, with the ability to diagnose illnesses, analyze lab tests, and prescribe medications.

Requirements to become an LPN

The beauty of becoming an LPN is that the requirements are straightforward and the investment is short-term, especially in comparison to other nursing career paths. While the specific steps will vary by state, here’s a look at what is typically needed to become a Licensed Practical Nurse today.

LPN education requirements:

To become an LPN, you must first complete an accredited or state-approved practical nursing program. These are usually offered at the certificate or diploma level, taking just one or two years to complete. In this type of program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of nursing practice and gain clinical nursing skills through a mix of classroom and hands-on experiences.

LPN licensing requirements:

After completing an educational program, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). This is mandated for all LPNs to earn their credential and practice in the United States.

LPN skills requirements:

The primary role of an LPN is to support patients in need, which involves both interpersonal and technical skill sets. For example, LPNs need to have soft skills like compassion, good communication, listening, and teamwork. At the same time, they must know how to address basic patient needs, with practical skills using medical equipment, writing reports, reading charts, and recognizing critical symptoms.

Your future as an LPN begins now

Becoming an LPN is a great way to make an impact and help people in need. It’s a fast track to working on the frontlines of healthcare, and a great stepping stone to upper-level nursing professions like registered nursing and advanced practice. If you’re ready to begin your journey or wish to learn more about becoming an LPN, we are here for you.

Goodwin University is a leading nursing school in Connecticut, with a comprehensive LPN program that can be completed in just 16 to 28 months! Learn more by visiting us online here.