Page 20 - Career Pathways Booklet

NURSING PATHWAY

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

What They Do
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing Typical Education Level
homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the su-
pervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required. Vocational Diploma
Typical Tasks: Related Degrees
 Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts Practical Nursing Diploma
on patients' charts.
Similar Careers
 Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse
reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action. Registered Nurse ($60k/yr)

 Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, Occupational Therapy Assistant ($58k/yr)
dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, Physical Therapist Assistant ($58k/yr)
massaging, or performing catheterizations.
Critical Care Nurse ($60k/yr)
 Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
Recreational Therapist ($35k/yr)
 Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
Psychiatric Technician ($32k/yr)
 Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pres-
sure, pulse, and respiration. Radiologist Technician ($35k/yr)
 Work as part of a healthcare team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care, and Medical Assistant (31k/yr)
implement interventions.
 Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine labor- How well does it pay?
atory tests on samples.
Normal pay for Licensed Practical and
 Supervise nurses' aides or assistants. Licensed Vocational Nurses is $41,872
per year. That is about $3,489 per
 Make appointments, keep records, or perform other clerical duties in doctors' offices or month, or $20.13 per hour. New work-
clinics.
ers generally start around $32,288,
Growth Rate: This career has grown by 4% over the last 2 years, and is expected to grow by while highly experienced workers can
11% over the next 10 years. Currently 5,424 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurs- earn as much as $51,462.
es are employed in the region. There are 1,258 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational
Nurses who are age 55 and older. They will likely retire within
the next 10 years, creating a demand for new workers. All data derived from EMSI Career Coach, 2018 for the
Charlotte & surrounding areas within 50 miles radius

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