Job prospects Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) in Nova Scotia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Nova Scotia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be very good for Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) in Nova Scotia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.
• Recent graduates from fields of study related to this occupation have found it easy to find work.

This is a large occupation and opportunities arise frequently as people change positions. Demand for health care workers has been especially strong in recent years. The work can be physically challenging, often with less than regular hours or involving shift work, which may contribute to turnover. The role of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) has broadened and includes a wider range of duties in the face of limited budgets. Further, a new Nova Scotia Community College bridging program provides a route for continuing care assistants to upgrade their skills to practical nursing. 

While hospitals employ a large number of LPNs, opportunities have become more plentiful in nursing homes and through providers of home care, as the health care system shifts toward alternative care for people with chronic illnesses and disabling conditions. Applicants should have little trouble finding work.

Here are some key facts about Licensed practical nurses in Nova Scotia:

• Approximately 3,100 people work in this occupation.
• Licensed practical nurses mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 49%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 38%
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 11%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 78% compared to 82% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations
• 76% of licensed practical nurses work all year, while 24% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of licensed practical nurses are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 6% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 94% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 10% compared to 12% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 75% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 20% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Nova Scotia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)" in Nova Scotia or across Canada.

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