PORTLAND, ORE. – The number of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) licensed and working in Oregon grew to more than 3,700 in 2014 from 3,300 in 2010, according to the Oregon Health Authority’s newly released “Oregon Health Professions: Occupational and County Profiles” report, a collaborative project between the Oregon Center for Nursing, Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute and the Oregon Health Authority.
Long term care and skilled nursing facilities continue to be the largest employers of licensed practical nurses, employing almost one-third of all LPNs.
“We have heard anecdotally that the LPN role and work environment continues to change,” said Jana R. Bitton, Executive Director of the Oregon Center for Nursing. “In 2009, 15 percent of Oregon’s LPNs worked in hospitals. That number decreased in 2014 to 10 percent.”
More than 80 percent of LPNs reported working 31 or more hours a week, though the number of hours spent providing direct patient care varied widely.
Published biennially, the 2014 “Oregon Health Professions: Occupational and County Profiles” report includes information from 10 health profession licensing boards and the 21 professions. To view the full report, visit the Oregon Health Authority’s Healthcare Workforce Reporting page or OCN’s Publications page at www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
OCN is a nonprofit organization created by nursing leaders in 2002. OCN facilitates research and collaboration for Oregon’s nursing workforce to support informed, well-prepared, diverse and exceptional nursing professionals. OCN fulfills its mission through nurse workforce research, building partnerships, and advocating for nursing and healthcare. For more information about OCN, please visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.
