What Is Practical Nursing? Training and Career Overview

Practical nursing provides basic, hands-on care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings. It's often the entry-level career point for professional nurses across the country who become licensed practical nurses in their states.

What Do Practical Nurses Do?

As a practical nurse, you work under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, performing a variety of patient care tasks including:

• Monitor and record patients' vital signs
• Assist physicians during exams
• Administer medications
• Perform wound care, bandaging, and dressing changes
• Assist patients with bathing, dressing, and feeding
• Monitor patient conditions and report changes to healthcare team
• Collect samples for lab testing, such as blood or urine
• Prepare patients for medical procedures
• Maintain patient records
• Follow infection control and safety protocols

Another important component of practical nursing is providing emotional support to patients and their families. As a licensed practical nurse, you support, encourage, and empathize with patients, while communicating with the healthcare team and families as appropriate.

Where Do Practical Nurses Work?

While practical nurses can work across a variety of healthcare settings, many work in long-term care facilities like residential care and nursing homes¹. There, you perform many of the tasks you would in other settings, but with an emphasis on daily patient care. You may need to help residents bathe, dress, and move about the facility. You become their healthcare provider, but also a familiar and friendly face in the community.

You may also work in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. And there are many opportunities to work one-on-one as a home healthcare provider. In that case, you help people live independently, often bridging the gap between a home and an assisted care facility or nursing home. In addition to taking vital signs, assisting with hygiene and mobility, you also ensure that the people in your care eat well and maintain good health. And you communicate with other healthcare professionals on the status of your patients.

Is A Practical Nurse the Same as a Registered Nurse?

While both registered nurses and practical nurses work directly with patients and may perform similar duties, a registered nurse has more education, training, and responsibilities. Rules guiding each profession vary by state, but there are many differences between an LPN and an RN including:

• Education and Training
• Licensing Exam Requirements
• Scope of Practice
• Level of Responsibility
• Ability to Assess Patients
• Work Settings
• Career Advancement Opportunity
• Earning Potential

How to Become a Practical Nurse

Requirements to become a practical nurse also vary by state, but all states require you to complete training and pass the NCLEX-PN exam to get licensed. Before you start down the path to a nursing career, consider whether you have the passion, dedication, and commitment to succeed.

If you think you have what it takes, enroll in a training program. Nursing instructors at your school teach you about human anatomy and science and the fundamentals of nursing. You get instruction and experience taking vital signs, collecting and handling specimens, and caring for patients. You have clinical rotations in real healthcare facilities where you can take your classroom lessons and practice them in the real world. And you prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses(NCLEX- PN). Upon passing the exam, you can apply for your license and look for your first job as a licensed practical nurse.

Do you want a rewarding career helping others? Nursing allows you to make an impact on patients and families in healthcare settings and beyond. Lincoln Tech offers practical nursing programs at campuses in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Fill out the form to learn more.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm (Retrieved March 13, 2026).