Licensed Practical Nurse

Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:

• Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
• Administer intravenous medications.
• Apply bandages, dressings, or splints.
• Assist healthcare practitioners during examinations or treatments.
• Assist patients with hygiene or daily living activities.
• Prepare patients physically for medical procedures.
• Treat patients using physical therapy techniques.
• Maintain medical facility records.
• Record patient medical histories.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

Typical Working Conditions

• Having face-to-face discussions.
• The importance of being accurate or exact.
• Exposure to disease or infections.
• Working with a group or team.
• Close physical proximity with other people.
• Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
• Responsibility for others’ health and safety.
• Meeting strict deadlines.
• Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
• Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
• Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.

Tools & Technology used by Licensed Practical Nurses

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Most Important Skills for Licensed Practical Nurses

• Being Aware of Others—Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Helping Others—Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Thinking Critically—Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Coordinating with Others—Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• 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.
• Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Managing Time—Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Most Important Knowledge Areas for Licensed Practical Nurses

• Psychology—Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Customer and Personal Service—Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Medicine and Dentistry—Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Therapy and Counseling—Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Philosophy and Theology—Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
• Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Clerical—Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  

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

• Social—Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Realistic—Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

Wages Per Hour For Licensed Practical Nurses (MN)
Low $24.46	Median $27.09	High $29.56

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.

Demand
This career is seeing very high growth compared to other careers.  There will be a need for about 15,821 new Licensed Practical Nurses to meet market demand between 2018-2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise

This career is best for those with at least an Associates degree, but most professionals earn a Bachelors or higher. This job requires a license and certifications could aid in showcasing knowledge.

View the local post-secondary education options for this career from Central Lakes College.

Spotlight on Central Lakes College

• Why consider CLC?
• Virtual Campus Tours: Brainerd Campus, Staples Campus
• Learn more about the CLC Honors Program.
• Attend CLC, and you may never need to buy a textbook.

If you have a physical, mental, developmental, or cognitive condition that requires educational support, learn about support options at CLC.

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

Source: Minnesota CAREERwise