What Do Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse Do?
LP or LV Nurse Definition 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.
Life As a LP or LV Nurse: What Do They Do?
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
- Assemble and use equipment, such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, or oxygen suppliers.
- Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Make appointments, keep records, or perform other clerical duties in doctors' offices or clinics.
- Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every LP or LV Nurse Should Know
When polled, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nursing Technician
- Licensed Practical Nurse, Clinic Nurse (LPN, Clinic Nurse)
- Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)
- Private Duty Nurse
What Kind of LP or LV Nurse Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 724,500 jobs for Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 62,700 job openings in this field each year.

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.
What is the Average Salary of a LP or LV Nurse
The salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses ranges between about $33,680 and $62,160 a year.

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses who work in Rhode Island, Alaska, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses make in each U.S. state?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses may use on a daily basis:
- 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 to Become a LP or LV Nurse
Learn what Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a LP or LV Nurse?

Who Employs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?

Below are examples of industries where Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses work:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |