Licensed Practical Nurse directory
Find an LPN
Search the HealthcareApex LPN directory to find a Licensed Practical Nurse near you — for home care, assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or clinic settings. Every listing is built on verified, publicly available license data.
What LPNs do
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) — known as LVNs in California and Texas — deliver hands-on nursing care across home, long-term, and outpatient settings.
Bedside and basic clinical care
Take vital signs, monitor patient status, administer many medications, change dressings, insert catheters, and report changes to the supervising RN or physician.
Medication administration
Give oral, topical, intramuscular, and (in many states) IV push medications under the scope defined by the state board of nursing.
Activities of daily living
Help patients with bathing, dressing, feeding, mobility, and toileting — especially in long-term care, home health, and assisted living settings.
Patient and family education
Reinforce care plans, explain medications, demonstrate wound care, and document responses for the broader care team.
How an LPN differs from a Registered Nurse
Both are licensed nurses, but the education path, scope of practice, and supervision differ meaningfully.
LPN — Licensed Practical Nurse
- Completes a 12–18 month practical nursing program at a community college or vocational school.
- Passes the NCLEX-PN to be licensed by a state board of nursing.
- Practices under the supervision of an RN, NP, or physician.
- Scope of practice is set state by state and tends to focus on bedside, long-term, and home care.
RN — Registered Nurse
- Completes an ADN (2 years) or BSN (4 years) program.
- Passes the NCLEX-RN to be licensed.
- Performs independent nursing assessment, care planning, IV therapy, and supervises LPNs and unlicensed staff.
- Eligible for advanced specialty certifications and graduate roles (NP, CNS, CRNA).
How to search for an LPN
Five practical steps to find a Licensed Practical Nurse who fits your setting, location, and care needs.
- 1
Search by name or credential
Use the HealthcareApex nurse directory to search by first and last name, or by the LPN/LVN credential. In California and Texas the equivalent title is LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse).
- 2
Filter by city, state, or ZIP
Narrow results to your metro area, county, or service radius — useful for home care, private duty, or in-home shift work.
- 3
Filter by setting
Look specifically for LPNs working in home health, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation, or outpatient clinics.
- 4
Confirm license status
Click through to the state board of nursing or Nursys to confirm the LPN's license is active, current, and free of disciplinary action.
- 5
Contact through verified channels
Reach out via the directory's verified contact method or through the LPN's employer or staffing agency — never through scraped or purchased contact lists.
Home care, assisted living, rehab, and clinic settings
LPNs serve patients across the continuum of care. Knowing the setting helps narrow your search.
Home care and private duty
LPNs deliver in-home shift care for medically complex children, seniors, and patients on ventilators, feeding tubes, or wound vacs. They are often the primary nurse at the bedside for 8–12 hour shifts.
Assisted living and senior care
LPNs administer medications, manage chronic conditions, coordinate with primary care, and support residents with activities of daily living in assisted living and memory care communities.
Rehabilitation and skilled nursing
LPNs are a backbone of skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab, providing daily medication passes, treatment, and care for post-acute and long-term residents.
Outpatient and primary care clinics
LPNs room patients, take histories, administer immunizations, perform point-of-care testing, and assist providers with procedures in primary care, urgent care, and specialty clinics.
License verification steps
Always confirm an LPN's license is active and in good standing before hiring or accepting care.
- 1
State board of nursing license lookup
Every state board publishes a free LPN/LVN license lookup. Search by name or license number to confirm credential, status, and any board actions.
- 2
Nursys multistate verification
For LPN/LVNs licensed in Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states, Nursys.com confirms multistate privileges across participating jurisdictions.
- 3
Check the employer or agency
Home health agencies, staffing networks, and long-term care facilities verify license and credentials at hire and renewal. Confirming through them is a valid additional check.
About Licensed Practical Nurses
What is an LPN?+
An LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) is a nurse licensed by a state board of nursing after completing a 12–18 month practical nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN. In California and Texas, the same role is called LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse).
How is an LPN different from an RN?+
An RN completes a longer associate or bachelor's degree program, passes the NCLEX-RN, and practices with a broader independent scope. LPNs work under the supervision of an RN, NP, or physician and focus on bedside, long-term, and home care.
Where do LPNs typically work?+
LPNs work most often in home health, private duty, assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, and outpatient clinics. Some hospitals also employ LPNs on med-surg, rehab, and behavioral health units.
Can I hire an LPN directly for in-home care?+
Yes. Many families hire LPNs directly or through a home care agency for private duty shifts. Always verify the LPN's license is active with the state board, confirm scope of practice for the tasks needed, and review any agency credentialing.
How do I verify an LPN's license?+
Use the state board of nursing license lookup or Nursys.com for multistate license holders. These are the authoritative sources for confirming an LPN's credential, status, and any disciplinary history.