A lot of candidates may opt for entering the profession of medicine as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a profession also called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). This particular job will yield a lot of benefits to both the licensed practical nurse and the patients to whom they offer health care services. It is comparatively easy to enter this profession, as candidates can begin after merely one year's training. This means there is a relatively short period of training before the applicant will start to be paid.

Furthermore, there are more jobs available due to the raises in demand for LPNs inside and outside of hospitals.

To get started as a LPN and get offered well-paid jobs as a LPN, a candidate will look after sick, injured or handicapped persons. They must be equipped with their caring, nurturing and sympathetic tools to offer effective heath care service as they will work under the supervision of physicians.

They'll also need to offer health care services for patients in a wide variety of ways, such as gathering personal data from patients, prepare and administer injections, collect all the laboratory samples and execute regular lab test, educate patients and others about healthy living concepts, and they will supervise nursing assistants. LPN jobs are well-paid, as the figures in a recent study revealed the typical pay per annum for LPNs in May 2006 ranged from $31,080 to $46,640. Applicants should bear in mind that the salaries for LPN vacancies may vary based on the industry they work for.

In hospitals, a study showed that people employed in LPN jobs were making about $35,000 every year, while at a physician's desk, they were actually making about $32,710 per year. This is a sensible salary as in opposition to some medical jobs. The job of LPN generally seems to be booming, since in 2006 the number of people working as LPNs was between 700,000 to 750,000 individuals.

The Bureau of Labour Statistics is forecasting that this number will continue to raise over the next decade by some 14% to an amazing 854,000 people by 2016.

This estimation is underpinned by the fact that the demand for hospital healthcare remains strong, but the Bureau also forecasted that the home and nursing health care facilities will be mainly responsible for the increase in the number of LPN vacancies.

The progressively high demand by an ageing generation of baby boomers is equally responsible for the expected increase in LPN vacancies. In addition to this there has been an increase in the regular demand for health care services, which continues to boost LPN jobs.

Furthermore, another contributing factor is the drastic improvements in medical technology, which have resulted in patients now going to their physician's office or a regional clinic facility to complete a few procedures that were previously done in hospitals.

Licensed Practical Nurses will continue to provide crucial services for patients seeking care and nurture and who may be in immediate need of healthcare provision.

In addition, LPN jobs will also be offered in the patient's home, as a lot of elderly are unable to visiting hospitals.