Why does everyone seem to suggest becoming a nurse when you’re looking for a new career path? There are many reasons to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)! A career as an LPN offers great wages, fulfillment through making a positive impact, and only requires less than two years of post-secondary education. Need more convincing? Keep reading to learn about the top 10 reasons to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

1. High Salary

In British Columbia, the Licensed Practical Nurse wage is quite high! According to WorkBC, they make an average annual salary of over $66,000. Their hourly wages range from around $27 to $37, with a median hourly wage of $32.

2. Education Takes Less Than 2 Years

Across BC, most Practical Nursing programs are under two years long. Unlike lengthy bachelor’s degree programs, Practical Nursing programs allow you to begin your career sooner, getting you into the workforce and making money quicker!

At Sprott Shaw College, our Practical Nursing program is just over a year and a half long (75 weeks). Seven of those weeks are spent at a preceptorship, where students are in the field honing their skills in a real work environment.

Education to become a Licensed Practical Nurse takes even less time if you’re already a Health Care Assistant! Sprott Shaw College also offers a Practical Nursing Access program which is designed to build upon Health Care Assistants’ preexisting knowledge and experience in healthcare. The Practical Nursing Access program is 14 weeks shorter than the regular Practical Nursing program and is only 14 months long (61 weeks)!

3. Fulfilling Career Path

One of the main appeals of nursing careers is the positive impact they make in people’s lives every day. With each shift, Licensed Practical Nurses touch the lives of those who need care and comfort the most.

When patients are experiencing illness or injury, they put their trust in healthcare professionals like LPNs to ease their pain, often during their most vulnerable moments. As a nurse, you can finish each day knowing that you chose a career path dedicated to making a real and positive difference in the world.

4. Great Job Prospects

The 2024 Labour Market Outlook projected that there would be 4,780 job openings for Licensed Practical Nurses across British Columbia, making it one of the most in-demand occupations in the province. WorkBC classifies Practical Nursing as a high-opportunity occupation, meaning that it’s in high demand and offers high wages.

5. Variety of Work Environments

Licensed Practical Nurses are employed across a variety of healthcare settings. For example, they may work in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, hospice care, acute care centres, doctors’ offices, or even private homes. They can even work in more niche environments, such as schools, rehabilitation centres, and correctional facilities. There are plenty of options, and you can choose whichever suits you best.

6. Human Connection

Practical Nursing is a great career choice for individuals who like to meet and connect with other people. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, you will work with doctors, registered nurses, administrative staff, and more. Practical Nursing is a collaborative job where you work with many other healthcare professionals throughout your shift.

In your career as a nurse, you will connect with countless patients whose lives you will touch in a positive way. The human connections made at work is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job and a large reason many people choose to become Licensed Practical Nurses.  

7. Great Benefits

Licensed Practical Nurses generally have great benefits. They often have comprehensive benefits including health insurance, dental insurance, sick leave, pension plans, paid time off, disability insurance, and more. Those working in public healthcare under the regional health authorities in BC have very good benefits. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, 56% of LPNs work in hospitals, which are mostly operated by the public health authorities. Benefit packages vary by employer, especially in the private sector.

8. Respected Career

If you’re looking for a career that earns respect, healthcare is the way to go. Nurses are selfless and hard working, and everyone knows it! The high salary and nature of this career make practical nursing a respectable occupation. Nursing is a career choice that your parents will approve of, that your peers will be impressed by, and that—most importantly—you can be proud of.

9. Flexible Hours

Licensed Practical Nurses can often choose between full-time and part-time employment, and they can usually choose between eight-, ten-, or twelve-hour shifts. If they choose longer shifts, they can work fewer days per week. Depending on their employer, LPNs can sometimes work fixed schedules, rotating shifts, or even choose their own hours, as long as they meet the required minimum.

Alternatively, many nurses have the option to work per diem, meaning they are called in for work as needed, and they have the ability to accept or decline shifts. This option is suitable for people who require a flexible schedule.

10. Everyday is Different

Does the idea of an office job sitting at a desk all day bore you? As a Licensed Practical Nurse, everyday on the job is different! You never know who you will be helping, and what conditions and injuries you’ll be treating. As a nurse, your workdays are unpredictable and often fast paced, keeping you on your toes! If you’re looking for a career that will keep your mind sharp and your skills fresh, practical nursing might be the right fit for you.

Launch Your Career with Sprott Shaw College

Sprott Shaw College is one of the largest providers of Practical Nursing training in British Columbia. Our Practical Nursing students consistently boast high pass rates on the Practical Nurse regulatory exam (Rex-PN), demonstrating their readiness to provide excellent care. With campuses across the Lower Mainland, the Interior, on Vancouver Island, and in the Fraser Valley, we are one of the most accessible colleges in the province.

Ready to take the first step towards a fulfilling career as a Licensed Practical Nurse? Whether you have questions about Sprott Shaw College’s Practical Nursing program, or you’re ready to begin the enrollment process, our Admissions Advisors are here to help. Click the button below to fill in a contact form and we’ll get back to you soon!