Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
An LPN is a licensed practical nurse. California and Texas use the title licensed vocational nurse (LVN). LPNs/LVNs provide nursing care under the direction and supervision required by their jurisdiction.
Exam Tip
Know which tasks the LPN/LVN can perform under applicable supervision, how to contribute to the care plan and when to escalate. Authority for IV therapy, education and delegation depends on state law and the setting.
What Is a Licensed Practical Nurse?
LPNs and LVNs provide direct nursing care, monitor patients, document findings and report changes to the appropriate supervising clinician. Their responsibilities depend on state law, work setting and competence.
Education and Licensure
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | An approved practical or vocational nursing program typically takes about one year and includes supervised clinical experience. |
| Licensure by exam | The nursing regulatory body determines eligibility and issues the license when its requirements are met. Eligible candidates take the NCLEX-PN, an adaptive exam with 85 to 150 items. |
| Renewal | Check the board of nursing for the renewal cycle and any continuing education or competence requirements. |
Typical LPN/LVN Responsibilities
- Collect data and perform focused assessments within scope. Report changes promptly to the supervising clinician.
- Contribute to developing or updating the nursing care plan and implement authorized interventions.
- Monitor vital signs and patient responses, provide wound care and administer authorized medications.
- Provide or reinforce teaching as allowed by law, facility policy and competence. Check state requirements for IV therapy and delegation.
- Assign routine tasks as allowed. Nursing judgment and comprehensive RN assessment require the appropriate licensure.
Where LPNs/LVNs Work
Common settings include nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, home health services and physician offices. Duties depend on the needs of the people served and the supervision required for the setting.
Exam Alert
Coordinated Care accounts for 18-24% of items in the 2026 NCLEX-PN plan. Know how the practical nurse contributes to the care plan, coordinates assignments and escalates changes in condition.
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Scope of Practice (Nursing)
Scope of practice defines what a healthcare professional is legally authorized to do. LPN/LVN practice depends on the jurisdiction's nursing laws, the setting, required supervision and the nurse's competence.
Delegation (Nursing)
Delegation in nursing authorizes another qualified person to perform a specific activity. The delegating nurse remains accountable for the decision and oversight. The person accepting the activity is accountable for their own performance.
Nursing Process
The nursing process is a cyclical framework for planning, delivering and evaluating patient-centered care. ADPIE is a common way to remember assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation.
Care Plan (Nursing)
A nursing care plan records a patient's identified needs, measurable goals and nursing interventions. The RN leads nursing care planning, and the LPN/LVN contributes findings and helps develop, implement and update the plan within the applicable scope of practice.
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