Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are central providers of basic nursing care in Oregon, supporting patients across hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home settings. This publication highlights the educational pipeline feeding the LPN workforce, noting steady growth in graduates and the expansion of community college and proprietary programs. In 2014, more than 400 individuals completed LPN training in Oregon, marking a doubling of graduates since 2008.
The workforce profile reveals that 3,737 LPNs were practicing in Oregon in 2014, with the majority concentrated in the Portland Metro area but present in every region of the state. Wage data show regional differences, with Portland-area LPNs earning higher salaries compared to those in rural regions such as Eastern Oregon. Demographically, the workforce is predominantly female but shows greater racial diversity compared to Oregon’s registered nurse population.
Practice settings for LPNs have shifted significantly in recent years. Skilled nursing and long-term care remain the largest areas of employment, followed by offices/clinics and hospitals. A third of LPNs reported long-term care or geriatrics as their specialty. Looking ahead, supply projections indicate Oregon will face a surplus of nearly 1,000 LPNs by 2025, raising important considerations for workforce planning and utilization strategies.
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