Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs, the California and Texas title for the same license) provide direct patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians: vital signs, medications, wound care, patient education and the clinical back-office of a busy clinic. In the federal government nearly all of this hiring is at the Veterans Health Administration, whose medical centers and community clinics staff their primary care teams, specialty clinics and women’s health programs with LPNs.

Recent listings have included licensed practical nurses in outpatient primary care, specialty care and women’s health, Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) positions, a licensed practical or vocational nurse, and a licensed vocational nurse in outpatient primary care.

Applying tip: VA requires a full, active, current and unrestricted LPN or LVN license from any U.S. state or territory and graduation from an approved practical nursing program, and the application asks for the license details, so have the number, state and expiration date ready. PACT in a title means the VA’s team-based primary care model. The application timeline guide explains what follows submission.