Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/VNs) are a critical component of the long-term care (LTC) workforce, providing essential care in skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living communities, and related settings. Despite their importance, comprehensive information on the LPN/VN workforce in LTC has not been updated in over a decade.

This project will deliver an up-to-date, data-driven analysis of the LPN/VN workforce, with a particular focus on their role in long-term care. Building on prior research by the UCSF Health Workforce Research Center, the study will track trends in workforce supply, demographic composition, employment settings, and educational pathways from 2013 to 2023. Drawing on three primary data sources, the study will assess changes in workforce characteristics and the pipeline of new LPN/VNs entering the profession. It will also compare these patterns with those of LPN/VNs working outside long-term care and with registered nurses.

This project aims to: 

• Describe current demographic, employment, and educational characteristics of the LPN/VN workforce, with emphasis on those employed in long-term care.
• Analyze changes in workforce size, geographic distribution, and diversity between 2013 and 2023.
• Assess trends in LPN/VN educational programs and licensure examination outcomes, including comparisons across institutional types. 
   

For more information, contact [email protected].