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Licensed Practical Nurses

Employment Prospects

Employers

Approximately 657,800 licensed practical nurses are employed in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 35 percent of LPNs work in nursing facilities, 16 percent work in local, state, and private hospitals, 12 percent work in physicians' offices and clinics, and 12 percent work in home health care services. Others are employed by public health agencies, schools, residential care facilities, temporary staffing agencies, and government agencies.

Starting Out

After they fulfill licensing requirements, LPNs should check with human resource departments of hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics for openings. Employment agencies that specialize in health professions, and state employment agencies are other ways to find employment, as are school career services offices. Newspaper classified ads, nursing associations, and professional journals are great sources of job opportunities.

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