Profile of the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse Workforce: 2015 and 2024

Year of Publication
2026
Author
Date Published
10/2026
Institution
UCSF Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care
City
San Francisco, CA
Abstract

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)—known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas—are the third-largest group in the licensed healthcare workforce in the United States, primarily employed in long-term care (LTC) settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Between 2015 and 2024, the LPN workforce contracted by 29%, driven by shifts in care delivery models and workforce dynamics. This study examined employment trends, demographic shifts, and geographic disparities to inform workforce planning and policy development.

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