What is a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse?
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.
Daily Life Of a LP or LV Nurse
- 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.
- Prepare patients for examinations, tests, or treatments and explain procedures.
- Set up equipment and prepare medical treatment rooms.
- Apply compresses, ice bags, or hot water bottles.
- Prepare or examine food trays for conformance to prescribed diet.
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LP or LV Nurse Needed Skills
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:
- Private Duty Nurse
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Home Health Care Provider
- Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC LPN)
- Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)
Are There Job Opportunities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 724,500 jobs in the United States for Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse. 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. There will be an estimated 62,700 positions for LP or LV Nurse per 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.
How Much Does a LP or LV Nurse Make?
The typical yearly salary for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses is somewhere between $33,680 and $62,160.

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 |
What Tools & Technology do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Use?
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
Becoming a LP or LV Nurse
Are there Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses education requirements?

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

Where do Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Work?

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

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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