July 30, 2025

The Canadian healthcare system is powered by dedicated professionals who work side by side to care for patients, comfort families, and support communities. At the heart of this system is a critical role that blends technical skill with deep compassion: the Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN. If you’re considering a career in healthcare and want to make a meaningful impact without spending four years in university, becoming an LPN might be the perfect path. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a licensed practical nurse does, where they work, how they differ from other nursing roles, and how you can train to become one through CDI College’s Practical Nursing program. 

Understanding the Role: What is a Licensed Practical Nurse? 

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a frontline healthcare professional who plays a critical role in supporting patient well-being across various clinical and community settings. Regulated by provincial nursing bodies, LPNs are trained to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and physicians. While many people think of LPNs as simply checking blood pressure or assisting with basic care, their role extends far beyond that. 
 

LPNs are often the first and most frequent point of contact for patients. They perform a wide range of duties from administering medications and dressing wounds to monitoring vital signs and helping patients with mobility and hygiene. But what truly sets LPNs apart is their ability to provide holistic, person-centred care. They offer not only clinical expertise, but also emotional support, reassurance, and a friendly face during difficult times. 

Where Do LPNs Work? 

One of the greatest strengths of this career is its flexibility. LPNs are in demand across a wide spectrum of healthcare environments, including: 
 

• Hospitals – Assisting with patient care in departments like medical-surgical units, emergency, pediatrics, and maternity 
   
• Long-term care homes and nursing homes – Building long-term relationships with residents while managing chronic conditions and providing daily support 
   
• Community health centres – Participating in outreach programs, wellness checks, and preventative care services 
   
• Medical and walk-in clinics – Supporting physicians by taking patient histories, performing minor procedures, and managing follow-up care 
   
• Public schools – Offering basic health services, administering medications, and supporting students with chronic conditions or disabilities 
   
• Private homes – Providing home healthcare services for elderly patients, individuals with disabilities, or those recovering post-surgery 
   

In all these settings, LPNs are essential to the daily rhythm of healthcare delivery. They keep care plans on track, communicate changes in condition to supervising staff, and ensure each patient is treated with dignity and empathy. 

A Balance of Clinical Skill and Compassion 

What makes LPNs so effective in their role is the unique blend of technical know-how and people skills. They’re trained to recognize medical issues, respond to emergencies, and follow detailed care protocols. But they also bring warmth, patience, and encouragement to their work. This is especially important in long-term care environments, where patients often depend on LPNs not just for medical care, but for human connection. 

An LPN’s ability to multitask, stay calm under pressure, and maintain clear communication with both patients and other healthcare professionals is vital. They also play a crucial role in educating patients and families about care routines, medication instructions, and lifestyle adjustments. In many ways, they are the bridge between patients and the larger medical team.  
 

Bonus Read: How to Become Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada 

Key Responsibilities of a Licensed Practical Nurse 

While an LPN’s specific duties can vary depending on their workplace and province, their core responsibilities usually include: 
 

• Administering medications and basic treatments 
• Monitoring and recording vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse) 
• Assisting with personal hygiene and mobility (bathing, feeding, dressing) 
• Providing wound care and support during recovery 
• Educating patients and families about health conditions and care plans 
• Collaborating with doctors, RNs, and healthcare teams 
• Documenting patient progress and reporting concerns 

In long-term care settings, LPNs often build close, ongoing relationships with patients. They are the backbone of daily operations in these environments, offering not just medical support but companionship and trust. 

Bonus Read: What is Practical Nursing? 

Why Are LPNs So Important? 

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are not just assistants, they’re essential, front-line professionals who keep the healthcare system running smoothly. They combine clinical skill with emotional intelligence, balancing technical tasks with the human side of patient care. Their ability to act quickly, communicate clearly, and build rapport with patients makes them indispensable across nearly every care setting. Here’s why their role is so vital: 

1. They provide hands-on care 

LPNs are on the floor, directly involved with patient care every day. They’re the ones taking vitals, changing dresses, assisting with hygiene, and noticing subtle changes in condition that others might miss. Their proximity to patients helps ensure early intervention and better outcomes. 

2. They bridge communication 

LPNs serve as a critical link between patients, families, RNs, doctors, and allied health professionals. They help interpret care instructions, provide emotional clarity to families, and ensure that important updates are passed along quickly and accurately. 

3. They keep care flowing 

By handling essential medical and personal care tasks, LPNs free up doctors and RNs to focus on diagnosis, treatment planning, and complex procedures. Their contribution ensures that no part of a patient’s care plan is delayed or overlooked. 

4. They offer consistency 

In long-term care facilities, home care, or chronic condition management, patients often see the same LPN regularly. That consistency builds trust, strengthens care relationships, and improves the overall patient experience. 

5. They boost patient morale 

LPNs do more than clinical work, they bring warmth, empathy, and encouragement. A kind word, a patient ear, or a few extra minutes spent with a nervous patient can make a world of difference in recovery and emotional well-being. 

6. They support vulnerable populations 

From elderly patients in nursing homes to children in school settings and individuals receiving home healthcare, LPNs often care for society’s most vulnerable. They are advocates, protectors, and caregivers all in one. 

7. They reduce hospital readmissions 

By ensuring follow-up care is provided properly, especially in community and home settings, LPNs help prevent complications that could lead to unnecessary emergency visits or hospital readmissions. 

8. They educate and empower 

LPNs are on the front lines of patient education. Whether it's showing a family member how to change a bandage or helping a patient understand medication schedules, LPNs play a huge role in improving health literacy and empowering self-care. 

9. They respond in real time 

Unlike some roles that involve occasional patient check-ins, LPNs are present throughout the shift. They monitor patients continuously, respond to pain or discomfort immediately, and are often the first to notice if something isn’t right. 

10. They adapt to any environment 

Hospitals, schools, care homes, remote clinics, private residences LPNs thrive in all these settings. Their versatility allows healthcare teams to extend services into the community and reach more people where they live. 

Practical Nursing at CDI College: Your Launchpad to Success 

CDI College has trained future healthcare professionals for over 50 years. Their Practical Nursing Diploma program is available in British Columbia and offers students everything they need to thrive: 

🏫 Comprehensive Curriculum

From anatomy and pharmacology to maternal-child nursing and ethics, CDI College ensures students graduate with the knowledge and confidence to take on real-world challenges. 

🏥 Real-World Training 

Students complete 475 hours of clinical practice and a 180-hour preceptorship, working alongside licensed professionals in real healthcare settings. 

👩‍🏫 Expert Instructors and Support 

Learn from experienced nurses who offer one-on-one support and guide you through both the academic and emotional sides of nursing. 

🎯 Proven Results 

CDI College’s Practical Nursing graduates consistently outperform provincial averages on the REx-PN exam. In 2023, CDI Surrey students achieved a 92% pass rate, exceeding the BC average of 91.68%. 

🎓 Additional Perks 
 

• Industry certifications like WHMIS and First Aid 
• State-of-the-art labs and simulation environments 
• A supportive cohort-based model that fosters teamwork 
• Six months of post-graduation career services 

Ready to Start Your Journey? 

So, what is a licensed practical nurse? It’s someone who combines skill, heart, and resilience to provide high-quality care every single day. It’s a career that offers meaning, security, and room to grow. If you’re ready to join one of the most trusted and rewarding professions in Canada, CDI College’s Practical Nursing program is your ideal starting point. With expert guidance, hands-on learning, and proven results, you’ll graduate prepared to pass your exam, earn your license, and step confidently into a healthcare career that truly matters. 

Take the first step today. Apply now and become the LPN Canada needs.