Licensed Practical Nurses

National Occupational Classification update

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Note that some information in this job profile is based on the 2016 version of the NOC. In some cases, data are unavailable and will be published as soon as possible.

Overview

Licensed practical nurses provide nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners, registered nurses or other health team members. Operating room technicians prepare patients and provide assistance to medical practitioners prior to and during surgery. Licensed practical nurses are employed in hospitals, nursing homes, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centres, doctors' offices, clinics, companies, private homes and community health centres. Operating room technicians are employed in hospitals.

Common titles for this occupation:

certified nursing assistant (CNA)

graduate nursing assistant

licensed nursing assistant

licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)

medical technician - Canadian armed forces

Read about the main duties, common titles and other information for this occupation at the National Occupational Classification website. Occupational outlook ratings can tell you how future demand for this occupation is expected to compare with other occupations across Ontario.

Regional job outlook

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Quarterly job postings:
Regional distribution of job postings:
Outlook rating:

Chart 1 shows the two components of projected job openings, new jobs and replacement jobs (replacement jobs from retirement, death and emigration) for this job compared with others from 2023 - 2027. Total projected number of job openings from 2023 - 2027: 5,001 - 6,000 Projected change in employment levels from 2023 - 2027: 10.1% - 11% Licensed practical nurses Technical occupations in health All occupations

Chart 2 shows the total number of online job postings from 2017-2021.

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Job growth

Chart 3 shows how employment levels changed for this job compared with others from 2013 to 2022.
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 All occupations 0% 0% 1% 2% 5% 6% 9% 3% 9% 14% Technical occupations in health 0% 6% 5% 5% 18% 15% 18% 20% 23% 40% Licensed practical nurses 0% 25% 1% 6% 13% 23% 18% 0% 2% 25%
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Pay

Income by sex

Chart 4 shows the median employment income by sex for this job as it compares with others in 2015. Applies to full-time workers employed full year.

Alphabetical Male Female Total Licensed practical nurses $67,000 $64,000 $64,000 All occupations $60,345 $49,713 $55,121
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census

Income by educational attainment

Chart 5 shows the median employment income by educational attainment for this job as it compares with others in 2015. Applies to full-time workers employed full year.

Educational attainment Licensed practical nurses All occupations Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree $64,000 $55,121 Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate $53,355 $44,625 University certificate, diploma or degree $57,837 $73,618 Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma $56,856 $54,122 College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma $56,103 $53,007 Bachelor's degree $58,108 $69,994 Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry $59,047 $82,331 Master's degree $57,769 $83,934
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census

Income by geography

Chart 6 shows the median employment income by the selected census division(s) for this job in 2020. Applies to full-time workers employed full year. Region Show Source & Note

Completion of a vocational, college or other approved program for licensed practical nurses is required.

Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces and territories.

Completion of a registration examination is required in all provinces and territories.

Operating room technicians require additional academic training in operating room techniques.

• college programs related to this line of work
• students and graduates that worked in this occupation after graduation

In-demand skills and knowledge

Employers frequently request the following skills when posting job opportunities in this occupational group.

Foundational

Communication Skills , Teamwork / Collaboration , Problem Solving , Organizational Skills , Computer Literacy , Critical Thinking , Time Management , Planning , Detail-Oriented , Customer Service

Specialized

Long-Term Care , Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) , Patient Care , Care Planning , Medication Administration , Teaching , Infection Control , Rehabilitation , Scheduling , Life Support

Software

• 1%

  Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Use the map below to see the total number of job postings and other information by Province, Economic Region , Census Division , or Census metropolitan area (CMA) and census agglomeration (CA).

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• Secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate: 3%
• Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 2%
• College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma: 71%
• Degree in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or optometry: 1%

Relevant organizations (associated and important licensing bodies) by 4-digit NOC code
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Where workers are located in Ontario (employment level) by 4-digit NOC code
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Job outlook, occupation title, occupation group, employment level by 4-digit NOC code
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