Where Can LPNs Work? 10 Versatile and In-Demand Career Settings

What if your LPN could take you beyond a hospital ward? Spoiler alert: it absolutely can! In this guide, we’ll explore 10 diverse healthcare settings where you can make the most of your LPN career. From working in nursing homes to rehabilitation centers, as travel nurses or remote care, the demand for LPNs in evolving healthcare fields ensures there’s never a dull working day. 

Whether you’re craving variety, stability or adventure, here are 10 versatile and in-demand LPN settings that you’re sure to thrive in: 

1. Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities

Nursing homes and residential care facilities are one of the most typical and rewarding settings for an LPN. In this care facility, you’ll engage in hands-on, everyday care to the infirm, elderly or chronically ill patients by administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting their everyday activities. 

If you’re looking to establish long-term relationships with your patients and make a deep impact on their quality of life, working in this kind of setting could be an ideal choice. It also enables you to take leadership roles in geriatric and palliative care. 

2. Hospitals

Because hospitals focus intensively on acute care, LPNs who thrive in a fast-paced, team-based setting thrive here. Surgical units, emergency care departments and outpatient units depend on LPNs to administer patient care plans, document patient data and facilitate recovery. Because LPNs work alongside doctors, RNs and specialists in this care setting, the opportunity to upskill their expertise or transfer to more specialized positions is prevalent. 

For those seeking to grow their career or work in high-stakes settings, hospitals provide ample training and versatility. Of note, most hospitals now require RN licenses, especially in urban cities. However, if you live more in a rural area, your chances at working in a hospital as an LPN are greater. Achieve Test Prep can help you fast-track your LPN to RN degree if you want to go that route with our flexible, expert-led instruction.  

3. Home Healthcare

Home healthcare offers LPNs the ability to work in a flexible, personalized and independent setting. Typically with home healthcare, LPNs administer medical routines, provide wound care and manage chronic conditions. They also educate patients and families about good patient healthcare all while fostering trust with them. 

With the rising need of in-home healthcare given the aging population, home healthcare is facing a surging demand. If you want to make a difference in a patient’s overall health and quality of life, this would be a great setting in which to do so. 

4. Physician's Offices

Physician’s offices are optimal for those LPNs who are looking for a structured, stable work environment in which they can develop caring and long-term relationships with patients and providers. In this context, they administer injections, take vitals, perform EKGs and oversee patient records and follow-ups. 

If you value a fixed schedule and predictable workflows, then working in a physician’s office might be your best bet. Some of the most common workplace settings include  dermatology, family medicine, pediatrics and other specialized settings. Experience at a physician’s office can deepen your clinical expertise in the field and your communication skills.  

5. Rehabilitation Centers

LPNs provide injury care, surgery rehab and illness management in rehabilitation centers. From managing post-stroke care to physical rehab following an orthopedic surgery, LPNs in this field manage medical regimens, provide ongoing treatments and monitor each patient’s recovery progress. If you enjoy a collaborative and a progress-driven environment, then working as an LPN in a rehab center might be a great choice for you. 

And if you love seeing restorative care progress, this type of field will reward your passion for such purpose and variety. You will also gain invaluable experience in mobility assistance, neurological care and pain management – all while witnessing patient independence gains. 

6. Correctional Facilities

If you value providing essential care to those who are in need and you hold mercy as a strong quality of your character, then working in a correctional facility could be a solid option for you. There, you will provide medical care and relief to incarcerated individuals who oftentimes have diverse and complex needs. Daily responsibilities include medication management, providing health screenings, medical emergency response and chronic illness oversight. 

Although this can be challenging work, working in a correctional facility can be deeply rewarding for the difference you can make in the lives of this critical patient group. If you value structure, humane treatment standards and serving others in secure environments, working as a correctional facility LPN might be a good choice for you. 

7. Schools and Educational Institutions

LPNs who appreciate making an impact in student health and wellness would enjoy working in schools and educational establishments. From managing chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma to attending to injuries and administering medical regimens, school nurses are first responders to general and acute student health needs. 

LPNs may also provide health education, immunization tracking and respond to health emergencies on campus. If you appreciate working in a dependable routine and setting and value working with children and adolescents, then this setting may be just for you. Your work will go a long way in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for young students.

8. Insurance Companies

In this non-clinical setting, LPNs apply their medical expertise to evaluate patient claims, facilitate utilization review and support care coordination plans. If you’re looking to help patients without the intensive physical demands of bedside care, then working for an insurance company might be your best bet. 

In this role, you will help support patient claim processing, assess treatment plans and provide patient outreach and education. Also, if you enjoy working in healthcare systems and policy, this could be a great role for your LPN career.

9. Travel Nurses

Although primarily an RN role, the opportunity for LPNs to access this field is growing. Travel nurses select short-term roles with hospitals, rehab centers and longer-term care as the need might arise. If you value variety and adventure, a competitive salary and working in diverse settings, then working as a travel nurse might be a good option. LPN assignments can also include bonuses, stipends and flexible contracts. 

Given this dynamic and well-paying role, many LPNs enjoy the opportunities that travel nursing provides. However, because being a travel nurse is primarily an RN function, Achieve Test Prep can help you become an RN with our supportive, flexible and expert-led LPN to RN bridge program. So if you’re looking to fast-track your RN career, we’re here for you!

10. Remote Work

In today’s digital-first world, another emerging field for LPNs is remote work. These WFH positions include telehealth nursing, care coordination, patient education and insurance review. If you’re looking for a positive work-life balance with unmatched flexible schedules, then you might love working in a remote capacity. 

It is also a position that doesn’t require hands-on, intensive bedside care. Requiring strong technical, writing and critical reasoning skills, working remotely provides quality of life value for those who benefit from working from the comfort of their home.  

Ready to Take your LPN Career Further – Faster?

At Achieve Test Prep, we help LPNs like yourself everyday to get ahead with their education so they can fast-track their career. With flexible, affordable bridge programs like LPN to RN, LPN to BSN among others, our supportive, expert-led instruction ensures you’re on the quickest path to graduation. By upskilling your LPN to RN career, you open the door to a better salary, more career options and greater job stability. So, the best time to make the transition to a more rewarding career is now. 

By testing out of college courses with our credit-by-exam test prep, you will save time, money and hassle in your college education journey. Hear why so many students love Achieve. What could you achieve with an advanced degree? Let’s discover that together today!