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Licensed Practical Nurses

Provide basic nursing care under the direction of doctors and registered nurses.

Quick Facts

Wages:

Above the statewide median
$27.09 / hour    Read more about wages

Outlook:

Above statewide average
Growth rate:  9.3%    Read more about outlook

Education:

Vocational training is typically required.

On the Job:

Typical Work Tasks
  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Administer intravenous medications.
  • Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
  • Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
Read more about the job

Job Title Examples:

Charge Nurse
Clinic Nurse
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

See more job title examples

View All Career Information


 

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This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.



Wages & Outlook

 

Typical Wages

Wages listed below are for a variety of experience and education levels. Make sure that you research the typical entry-level education and work experience and training requirements for this occupation.

This career: $27.09
Statewide median: $24.25

 

This career pays above the statewide median wage.


Wages for Licensed Practical Nurses *

Area Low Median High
U S
$23.86 $27.27 $31.01
Minnesota
$24.46 $27.09 $29.56
Central Minnesota
$24.29 $25.46 $29.30
Northeast Minnesota
$22.91 $24.51 $27.51
Northwest Minnesota
$23.79 $24.63 $27.71
Southeast Minnesota
$24.33 $25.46 $29.37
Southwest Minnesota
$24.05 $25.12 $28.95
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN
$25.54 $28.51 $30.23

* "Low" indicates 25% of workers earn less and 75% earn more.
"Median" indicates 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
"High" indicates 75% of workers earn less and 25% earn more.

See more wage detail.

 

Employment

In Minnesota, there are 14,660 workers employed in this large career.

Where do Licensed Practical Nurses most often work?

 

Current Demand

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This career is currently in very high demand.

 

Future Demand

This career is seeing high growth compared to other careers.

There will be a need for about 12,178 new Licensed Practical Nurses to meet market demand between 2020-2030. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.

 

Employment Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses
Area Employment Employment Change
2020 2030 Number Percent
U S 688,100 751,900 63,800 9.3%
Minnesota 14,408 15,356 948 6.6%
Central Minnesota 2,101 2,207 106 5%
Northeast Minnesota 941 1,000 59 6.3%
Northwest Minnesota 1,325 1,366 41 3.1%
Southeast Minnesota 1,302 1,393 91 7%
Southwest Minnesota 1,026 1,070 44 4.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 7,634 8,217 583 7.6%



On the Job

 

Licensed Practical Nurses provide nursing care in a variety of settings, especially long-term care facilities. They monitor patients and maintain records. They work under the direction of registered nurses or doctors. This career requires a license.


Physical Demands   

This career requires time standing, walking, or running.

 

Typical Work Tasks

People who work in this career often:


Typical Working Conditions

 

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.

 


Education & Credentials

 

Educational Requirements

Vocational training

 

Education level attained (national data)

Education Level Attained (national data)
Education Level AttainedPercentage of workers in this occupation
Less than high school diploma1.7
High school diploma or equivalent23.4
Some college, no degree53.3
Associate degree16.7
Bachelors degree3.9
Masters degree0.6
Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree0.4

 

Work Experience and Training Requirements

Nationally, this career typically requires:

  • No related work experience for entry.
  • Little or no on-the-job training to become competent.

 

Current Training Opportunities


Related Programs

 

Majors

Click on any of the Majors listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

 

Transfer Options

 

Licenses

Licenses are knowledge and skill credentials that are legally required in some careers.

This occupation requires a license.

Approval of Practical Nursing Programs
Border State Registry
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

 

Helpful High School Courses

Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:

  • Anatomy
  • Chemistry
  • Community Health
  • Computer Applications
  • Human Development
  • Medical Ethics
  • Nutrition
  • Research Methods
  • Safety and First Aid/CPR
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • World Languages

In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area. A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career and college path. A Program of Study can help you:

  • Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
  • Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
  • Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
  • See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
  • Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose

 

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.



Skills & Knowledge

 

Most Important Skills for Licensed Practical Nurses


 

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Licensed Practical Nurses



Interests


Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:

Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.

 

Describe Your Skills


People who have worked in this career typically perform the following tasks. These statements can help a prospective employer understand what you can do, on a resume or during an interview.

  • Helping and caring for people.
  • Documenting or recording information.
  • Communicating with supervisors, co-workers, or people that work under you.
  • Creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
  • Collecting information from different sources.
  • Making decisions or solving problems.
  • Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work.
  • Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards.

 

Careers that Use Similar Skills


The following careers use skills, knowledge, and abilities that are similar to those used for Licensed Practical Nurses.

 

View more careers in the Health Science cluster

View more careers in the Therapeutic Services pathway

 

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.



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Jobs



Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron

 

Job Title Examples


Charge Nurse,  Clinic Nurse,  Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN),  Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC Lpn),  Office Nurse,  Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC Lpn),  Private Duty Nurse,  Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE Lpn) 

 

Where Do Licensed Practical Nurses Work?


Licensed Practical Nurses often work in the following industries.

 

Similar Careers


Below are careers that use skill sets that are similar to Licensed Practical Nurses.



Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.




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