LPN Employment Outlook – What to Expect as a Licensed Practical Nurse
You certainly want to know whether you will be able to find a job as a licensed practical nurse in the future and how difficult this task will be. The LPN employment outlook is more than promising. The number of LPN jobs is expected to grow faster than the average for all industries. In addition, the vacancies are projected to increase in larger cities as well as in rural areas.
It has been estimated that LPN employment will grow by 20% by 2018. Most new positions will occur in nursing care facilities. There are two factors that determine this particular growth. The share of the elderly population is growing dramatically. Additionally, given the modern medical equipment and innovative treatments, people can live considerably longer. In turn, the demand for specialized health care will increase dramatically. It is expected that the nursing care facilities as well as the community care facilities to provide some of the best LPN employment opportunities and highest salaries in the future. This is applicable to the home care services as well.
The number of LPN jobs in clinics and doctors’ offices is projected to grow in the future as well. This is because these health care facilities start to provide a wider range of medical services that are traditionally performed in hospitals. In turn, the demand for LPNs in these facilities will increase. The greater array of duties should result in higher salaries, but this is an expectation rather than a projection based on statistical evidence. Despite the increase in demand of LPNs in clinics and doctors’ offices, hospitals will remain the major employers of licensed practical nurses.
It can be safely said that the LPN employment outlook looks brighter than ever. Still, given these raised expectations, more and more people will choose to obtain a lpn career, so the competition might grow as well.
