Licensed Practical Nurse
SOC 29-2061.00 · ESCO 3221
Role snapshot
Overview
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide essential basic bedside care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Their duties include taking vital signs, administering medications, changing wound dressings, and assisting patients with daily living activities. LPNs are responsible for accurately documenting patient status, observing changes, and communicating these observations to the wider care team to ensure continuity and quality of care.
Contributes directly to patient well-being and recovery by providing compassionate, hands-on care, monitoring health status, and ensuring fundamental medical needs are met. Plays a vital role in supporting the overall healthcare team.
On the job
- Administering prescribed medications and injections, and monitoring for adverse reactions
- Taking and recording vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and respiration
- Performing wound care, changing dressings, and assessing wound healing progress
- Assisting patients with personal hygiene, mobility, feeding, and other activities of daily living
- Documenting patient observations, care provided, and changes in condition in electronic health records
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Completion of an approved practical nursing program, typically resulting in a diploma or certificate.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
moderate
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Tasks such as recording vital signs, documenting observations, and managing medication logistics are prone to AI assistance.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
Direct physical care, patient assistance, and administering treatments require human presence and judgment, preventing full automation.
Adoption pressure
high
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Cost-efficiency and data integrity are drivers for AI adoption in documentation and monitoring, balanced by patient safety regulations.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success largely depends on direct patient interaction, providing physical and emotional comfort, and observing patient changes in real-time.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
moderate
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role requires adapting to varied patient needs and care settings, reflecting a moderate level of adaptability within established protocols.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Taking and recording vital signs automatically
- Documenting patient observations and care in electronic health records
- Managing and tracking medication dispensing schedules
- Generating basic patient status reports
- Providing standardized information for health maintenance
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Assisting patients with daily living activities and personal hygiene
- Performing wound care and assessing healing progress physically
- Administering prescribed medications and injections with precision
- Monitoring patients for adverse reactions and providing immediate comfort
- Communicating empathetically with patients and their families
- Responding to acute changes in patient condition at the bedside
How the role may evolve
Augmenting monitoring, emphasizing bedside interaction.
LPNs will utilize AI for routine data collection and monitoring, allowing them to deepen their focus on direct, personalized patient care, physical assistance, and emotional support.
Strengthen your future fit
- Strong direct patient care and assistance skills
- Proficiency with digital health record systems
- Acute observation and rapid response to patient changes
- Empathetic communication and interpersonal skills
- Adaptability to different clinical environments
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Licensed Practical Nurse
Nursing & Midwifery
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
social · SRC
People who enjoy helping others directly, performing practical tasks, and working within established procedures to ensure patient well-being often thrive as Licensed Practical Nurses.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Pays close attention to detail, follows protocols precisely, and takes responsibility for patient care.
Compassionate
Demonstrates empathy and provides care with kindness and understanding towards patients and their families.
Practical
Focuses on hands-on tasks and applying learned procedures to real-world patient needs.
Composed
Maintains a calm and steady demeanor, even in demanding or stressful clinical situations.
Communicative
Effectively exchanges information with patients, families, and other healthcare team members.
Best for
- Individuals who are detail-oriented, compassionate, and thrive in a structured, hands-on care environment.
- Those who enjoy being an integral part of a healthcare team and contributing directly to patient comfort and recovery.
- People who are reliable, resilient, and can manage multiple responsibilities effectively in a clinical setting.
Watch out for
- The work environment is often fast-paced and can be emotionally demanding.
- Requires regular weekend and holiday work, as patient care is continuous.
- Tasks are highly structured with less room for independent decision-making compared to other nursing roles.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Licensed Practical Nurse — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Licensed Practical Nurse roles
What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?
A Licensed Practical Nurse licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in some states, provide essential basic bedside care to patients under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Their duties include taking vital signs, administering medications, changing wound dressings, and assisting patients with daily living activities. LPNs are responsible for accurately documenting patient status, observing changes, and communicating these observations to the wider care team to ensure continuity and quality of care. Contributes directly to patient well-being and recovery by providing compassionate, hands-on care, monitoring health status, and ensuring fundamental medical needs are met. Plays a vital role in supporting the overall healthcare team.
How much does a Licensed Practical Nurse earn?
A Licensed Practical Nurse earns a median of $60,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $48,000 to $75,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
To become a Licensed Practical Nurse, completion of an approved practical nursing program, typically resulting in a diploma or certificate. Current state-issued Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) license.
What personality suits a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Licensed Practical Nurse roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 80/100) and warm and cooperative — tuned in to the people around them (Agreeableness 78/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Compassionate, Practical and Composed. Pays close attention to detail, follows protocols precisely, and takes responsibility for patient care. On interests, Licensed Practical Nurse maps to a SRC Holland Code profile — people who enjoy helping others directly, performing practical tasks, and working within established procedures to ensure patient well-being often thrive as Licensed Practical Nurses.
Who does a Licensed Practical Nurse role suit?
A Licensed Practical Nurse role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. High Social (S) affinity: The role is centered around direct patient interaction and helping others. Strong blend of Realistic (R) and Conventional (C) interests: Involves hands-on medical tasks and adherence to structured procedures. High Conscientiousness and Agreeableness are crucial for providing reliable and compassionate care.
What are the downsides of being a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Licensed Practical Nurse roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The work environment is often fast-paced and can be emotionally demanding. Requires regular weekend and holiday work, as patient care is continuous. Tasks are highly structured with less room for independent decision-making compared to other nursing roles.
What is the work environment like for a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Work as a Licensed Practical Nurse is mostly clinical-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 30% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Core skills for a Licensed Practical Nurse include Medication administration, Vital sign monitoring, Wound care, Patient assessment, Documentation and charting and Therapeutic communication.
How do you become a Licensed Practical Nurse?
Common entry routes into Licensed Practical Nurse roles include Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant.
What career progression is there for a Licensed Practical Nurse?
From a Licensed Practical Nurse role, common next steps include Registered Nurse (RN) and Charge Nurse (LPN); lateral moves include Home Health LPN.
What is the job outlook for Licensed Practical Nurse roles?
The outlook for Licensed Practical Nurse roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Licensed Practical Nurse roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Licensed Practical Nurse roles at 37 out of 100, which is low. AI will increasingly manage data recording and medication administration logistics, yet hands-on patient care and empathetic support persist as human domains. AI is most likely to take on taking and recording vital signs automatically, documenting patient observations and care in electronic health records and managing and tracking medication dispensing schedules. Assisting patients with daily living activities and personal hygiene, performing wound care and assessing healing progress physically and administering prescribed medications and injections with precision stay with people. Augmenting monitoring, emphasizing bedside interaction. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.