Licensed practical nurses (NOC 3233)

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide nursing care under the direction of medical practitioners and under the supervision of registered nurses.

See what a day in the life of this job is like—watch WorkBC’s Career Trek video about this occupation.

Source: WorkBC’s Career Trek

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs):

• provide nursing services to patients under the direction of medical practitioners and registered nurses
• do nursing interventions such as taking vital signs, applying aseptic techniques (including sterile dressing), carrying out infection control, watching patient diets and collecting specimens
• give medication and record therapeutic effects
• provide personal and comfort care before and after an operation
• check on respiratory and intravenous therapy
• keep an eye on patient progress, evaluate effectiveness of nursing interventions and talk with appropriate members of the health-care team

Operating room technicians:

• prepare patients for surgery by washing, shaving and sterilizing the body area to be operated on
• help get operating rooms ready by laying out instruments, setting up equipment and sterilizing operating room equipment and instruments
• help surgical teams with gowns and gloves and pass instruments to surgeons

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• LPNs generally practise as team members in health-care facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, clinics, extended care facilities and private residences.
• LPNs typically work 8- to 12-hour shifts, usually on rotation, including weekends, evenings and holidays.
• A large amount of time may be spent standing or walking.
• Long shifts can sometimes cause fatigue, leading to a higher risk of workplace injuries.
• Workers can be exposed to infectious diseases, radiation and chemicals while working in hospitals and clinics.
• All nursing staff must follow strict guidelines to prevent infection and injury.
• Lifting or moving patients may lead to back injuries, although electric beds, ceiling lifts and portable mechanical lifts have significantly reduced the risk of such injuries occurring.
• Violent behaviour from patients, especially those who are mentally ill, is a potential hazard.
• LPNs must cope with the emotional aspects of working with the sick, injured and terminally ill, as well as with patients’ families.

A growing and aging population will require more health services, which will result in an increased demand for workers in this profession. The majority of job openings expected for LPNs will come from new job creation.

The strong demand for LPNs across B.C. tends to be higher in areas with more extended care and long-term care facilities or larger acute care hospitals. Many openings for LPNs will be in specialty areas, such as emergency and pediatric wards, and operating rooms. LPNs who have completed an immunization certification course and the leadership post-certificate course will have better job prospects.

The legislated scope of practice for LPNs has not changed in recent years, but their range of capabilities has expanded. New capabilities include mental health, community and pharmacology studies. As well, LPNs are taking on increased responsibilities to provide better patient outcomes and to improve the use of nursing staff.