LPNs have the unique advantage of being marketable across multiple healthcare settings allowing you the ability to really see where your interests and strengths lie. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) reports that 38% of LPNs work in nursing care facilities, 15% in hospitals, 13% in doctor’s offices, 13% in home health and 6% in government. For RNs, hospitals are the most common setting, with 60% in state, local or private hospitals and Ambulatory healthcare services as the second most common setting at 18%.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), job prospects should be favorable for LPNs who are willing to work in rural and medically underserved areas. Employers also may prefer candidates who have certification in a specialty area such as gerontology or intravenous (IV) therapy. 

You've made the decision you want to be a nurse and you’re ready to jump in and start gaining experience. PNP is set-up not only to provide you clinical rotation experience early and often, but you’ll be in the nursing field earning an average salary of $48,820/year in as little as 14-15 months.

What does this mean for you? With a smaller financial and time commitment, you can gain experience that will help you further determine whether this is indeed the career path for you or help you determine if you want to further your education and/or specialize or even try a different field entirely.

In a survey of Chester County healthcare providers, close to 75% offer tuition reimbursement, scholarships or grant funds for LPNs to further their education. So, if you do decide to move forward and become an RN you have the potential of having your employer assist you financially rather than trying to do it on your own.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020) reported that employment of LPNs is expected to grow 9 percent by 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. According to the 2020 Census, by 2030 all individuals in the "baby boomer" category will be over the age of 65 and, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, "someone turning age 65 today has almost a 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years" (2020). To provide care for these individuals, the demand for health care workers is projected to increase (BLS, 2020). Currently, 38% of jobs for LPNs are already located in nursing and residential care facilities, but that percentage and demand is only expected to grow with the aging population (BLS 2020). 

While more than half of RNs will end up in a hospital setting Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have the distinct advantage of being marketable across multiple healthcare settings. While performing similar tasks and duties in each setting, the LPN has the ability to specialize in one area or mix things up and experience new environments. The following are some of the most common work environments/career paths for LPNs as ranked by 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):