A PN in nursing stands for Practical Nurse, a licensed healthcare professional who provides basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. Depending on where you live, you’ll see this role referred to as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in most states or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in Texas and California. The titles are different, but the job, licensing requirements, and scope of practice are identical.
What a Practical Nurse Does
Practical nurses handle hands-on, task-driven patient care. Their daily responsibilities center on carrying out treatment plans created by registered nurses or doctors rather than designing those plans themselves. In a typical shift, a PN might check blood pressure and other vital signs, change wound dressings, insert catheters, help patients with bathing and dressing, and assist with feeding.
The exact tasks a PN can perform vary by state. In some states, PNs are authorized to start IV fluid drips and administer IV medications. Most states allow them to draw blood. What stays consistent everywhere is that PNs work under the direction of a registered professional nurse, physician, dentist, or other licensed provider. They can supervise certified nursing assistants (CNAs), but their primary focus remains direct patient care rather than management.
How PNs Differ From RNs
The core difference comes down to autonomy and decision-making. Registered nurses conduct patient assessments, build care plans, and apply clinical judgment to adjust treatments. Practical nurses carry out those treatments. Both roles involve similar hands-on tasks like wound care and taking vitals, but RNs add a layer of critical thinking and healthcare strategy that PNs typically aren’t involved in.
This distinction shapes everything else about the two roles. RNs have more independence at work, a wider range of responsibilities, broader career advancement options, and higher earning potential. PNs, by contrast, always practice under someone else’s direction, as defined by state nurse practice acts.
Education and Licensing
Becoming a PN requires completing an accredited practical nursing program. These programs are significantly shorter than RN programs, typically lasting about 12 months compared to the two or four years needed for an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. The curriculum covers medical, surgical, obstetric, pediatric, and geriatric nursing through both classroom instruction and clinical training. In Florida, for example, at least 50% of the nursing curriculum must consist of clinical training in settings that include acute care, long-term care, and community facilities.
After graduating, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam, a standardized national test that measures readiness to provide safe patient care. Passing it earns your license to practice in your state.
Where Practical Nurses Work
Skilled nursing facilities employ the largest number of PNs in the country, with over 171,000 working in that setting. Home health care services come next at about 83,100, followed closely by general hospitals (roughly 80,800) and physician offices (around 79,100). Continuing care retirement communities and assisted living facilities round out the top five with approximately 41,350 PNs.
Pay varies across these settings. PNs in skilled nursing facilities earn a higher average wage than those in hospitals or doctor’s offices. The overall median annual pay for practical nurses was $62,340 as of May 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job Outlook
Employment for practical nurses is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand stays steady because PNs fill essential roles in long-term care and outpatient settings where aging populations need consistent, hands-on support.
Moving From PN to RN
Many practical nurses use the role as a stepping stone. LPN-to-BSN bridge programs let you transfer credits from your practical nursing education and earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, often entirely online. These programs are designed for working PNs who want to keep their jobs while studying. Once you complete the program, you’re eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, and passing it grants you a registered nursing license.
This pathway appeals to nurses who want higher pay, more clinical autonomy, or access to specialized roles that require RN credentials. Starting as a PN gives you clinical experience and a paycheck while you work toward that next level.