How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

A licensed practical nurse provides care to patients in a health care or home setting. Find out what it takes to enter the field and become an LPN.

[Featured Image] After learning how to become a licensed practical nurse and achieving the proper qualifications, an LPN takes the vitals of a young patient in an exam room.

Becoming a licensed practical nurse can be the start of a fulfilling career in nursing. These compassionate professionals complete a nursing program and pass the national exam for licensed nurses. In this profession, you may work in various settings, including doctor's offices, schools, and nursing homes.

After weighing your options, you may find it helpful to understand the role of a licensed practice nurse and how it compares to other types of nursing. If you've already decided to become an LPN, explore the paths you can take to get the training you need to start your career.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN): Job description

A licensed practical nurse, or LPN, provides routine patient care such as taking vital signs, dressing wounds, administering medication, monitoring a patient’s status, performing specific lab tests, and assisting in tasks like eating, drinking, and dressing. Your primary goal as an LPN is to provide your patients with comfort, so one of your primary tasks will be ensuring they are comfortable and cared for, whatever their needs.

The scope of practice for an LPN is much narrower than a registered nurse. You may assist registered nurses or doctors or work independently outside the traditional health care setting in a patient’s home. 

What are the daily tasks of a licensed practical nurse?

Your daily tasks as an LPN will vary based on the needs of your patients and the health care setting in which you work. On any given day, you may: 

  • Assist in conducting procedures administered by a doctor or RN 

  • Administer medication

  • Provide routine care for someone who is ill or healing from an injury or surgery 

  • Monitor a patient's health 

  • Report patient progress to doctor or RN 

  • Follow health care plans as laid out by a doctor or RN 

  • Provide preoperative or postoperative care 

What are the types and specialists in nursing?

Nurses work in various environments according to the type of nurse they are and the health care area they specialize in. Examples range from nursing assistants to nurse practitioners and pediatrics to oncology. One way to group types of nurses is by education: diploma, degree, or advanced degree. To become a licensed practical nurse in Canada, you’ll need to earn a diploma in practical nursing. 

As an LPN, you may specialize in an area such as hospice, gerontology, or home health. LPNs also work in doctor's offices, schools, theme parks, mental health centers, and insurance companies. In some of these roles, you may work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or doctor. Your specific role may be more of an assistant than primary care, primarily if you work in a hospital or doctor's office.

Medical aide vs. licensed practical nurse

A medical aide completes both patient care and clerical duties. As a medical aide, you may record patients’ vital signs, assist with feeding, bathing, and dressing, or prepare patients’ rooms. Clerical duties may include tracking supply inventory. In comparison, LPNs focus their duties on direct patient care. You can become a medical assistant by completing a formal secondary school education program at a vocational or community college. You can find employment without experience or formal training and receive on-the-job training. The only way to become an LPN is by completing an LPN program, passing the NCLEX exam, and getting a license to work as an LPN in your province.

The salaries for the two professions can be similar, but LPNs tend to earn more. The average salary for a licensed practical nurse in Canada is $64,552 CAD annually [1]. The median pay for a medical assistant in Canada is $23 CAD per hour [2]. 

What are the skills needed for a career as a licensed practical nurse?

The skills needed for a career as a licensed practical nurse include a healthy mix of human and technical skills. LPNs work closely with patients recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery. Compassion and good communication skills, as are basic nursing skills such as dressing wounds and taking vital signs, are critical. Successful LPNs have a few skills in common: 

  • Empathy: You may encounter people in pain or under a lot of stress. Empathy can help you better understand their situation to meet their physical and emotional needs.

  • Ability to work well as a team: You will likely work with other LPNs, RNs, and doctors. It's beneficial to be able to work well with others in this profession.

  • Strong ethics: LPNs work with confidential data and records. You may also provide physical hygiene needs and basic care that will involve a sense of discretion and ethical standards.

  • Physical stamina: LPNs may work on their feet most of the day. As an LPN, you may need to move patients, help them dress, or perform other skills requiring physicality.

  • Attention to detail: An LPN may need to monitor a patient's progress. Attention to detail is essential when monitoring patients and tracking their status.

  • Medical terminology: You need to know the basic medical language to communicate with doctors and nurses and understand a patient's care plan as provided by doctors.  

Licensed practical nurse schooling and certification

Educational requirements for LPNs typically include a practical nursing program (also referred to as a diploma program) for licensed practical nurses. Your application will likely require a high school diploma, and you’ll need to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before enrolling in a practical nursing program. 

You may pursue an optional specialization certification after you become an LPN. These certifications can help you expand your options of where you can work and what you can do as an LPN and even boost your income. A few specialization certifications available to current LPNs include: 

  • Breastfeeding specialist 

  • Wound care

  • IV therapy 

  • Continence care

What degree do you need to be a licensed practical nurse?

While you do not need a degree to be a licensed practical nurse, a degree can help you advance your career. 

Diploma 

To earn an LPN certification, also called a diploma, you complete a practical nursing program, usually offered at a vocational school. Coursework in these programs focuses on the basics of nursing, as the program intends to prepare you for the national exam, the NCLEX. 

The nursing job market

For LPNs, the job market looks promising over the next decade. The Government of Canada Job Bank notes that licensed practical nursing faces a positive outlook with more available jobs than workers to fill them through 2031 [3]. This increases opportunities for job growth for this profession, triggered by an aging population, medical advances and technologies in health care, and growing rates of chronic conditions. The nursing job market offers a lot of mobility as you can add specializations or move into higher-paid positions by earning certifications or degrees. 

How much can I make as a licensed practical nurse?

As a licensed practical nurse in Canada, you can earn an average of $64,552 CAD annually [1]. The top-paying areas for LPNs in Canada include the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory. 

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How long does it take to become a licensed practical nurse?

Traditional licensed practical nursing programs take about two years, depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time. 

Where do licensed practical nurses work?

Licensed practical nurses work in various health care settings, from hospitals to home care. A few typical work environments for licensed nurse jobs include nursing homes/ residential facilities, physicians’ offices, hospitals, rehab centers, and patients’ homes providing home health care services. A considerable number of LPNs work in nursing facilities and residential care homes. 

How do I begin a career as a licensed practical nurse?

To begin a career as a licensed practical nurse, you’ll need to earn your high school diploma and be able to pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills ( TEAS). From there, you can research accredited practical nursing programs or nursing schools that fit your needs and long-term career goals. 

Complete prerequisites and choose a nursing school.

When selecting a nursing program or school, consider accreditation, programs offered, and program structure. Look for a program approved by your province’s nursing regulatory authority. Consider online options and part-time options. You may need an online program if you juggle other demands in life, or you may feel more focused when you attend class face-to-face. 

Take note of the prerequisites for the nursing school or program you choose. Approved practical nursing programs may require you to pass the TEAS to be eligible for the nursing program. 

Begin your path.

You can earn your diploma by completing a practical nursing program. If you want to find work as an LPN and expand your career in the field of nursing, consider pursuing a degree. Having the degree in hand may make it easier to become a registered nurse later. Pursuing the diploma option may help you start working sooner.

Pass the national licensure examination for practical nurses.

Once you’ve completed your practical nursing program or graduated, you’re ready to take the NCLEX, the national licensure exam for practical nurses. To schedule your test, apply for authorization to test through your province’s board of nursing or regulatory body.

Start applying for employment.

Once you've met all educational and certification requirements, you are officially a licensed practical nurse. You can apply for employment at health care facilities or in-home care opportunities. When deciding where to look, keep in mind the type of facility where you want to work, the specialties you want to learn, and the education requirements of the prospective employer.

Ready to start your career as a licensed practical nurse?

If you’re ready to start your career as a licensed practical nurse, find a practical nurse program that fits your needs and long-term career goals. You may be able to become an LPN faster with accelerated programs, and you can get to work right away after completing your program. While waiting for the program to start, learn more about a career in health care by taking the Career 911: Your Future Job in Medicine and Health Care course by Northwestern University on Coursera. 

Article sources

1

Indeed. “Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Canada, https://ca.indeed.com/career/licensed-practical-nurse/salaries.” Accessed January 27, 2025.

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