The Illinois College of Nursing recognizes the vital role Licensed Practical Nurses play within the healthcare field, especially post-acute care.

Despite the U.S. Bureau of Statistics consistently listing LPN as a growing field with employment needs expecting to “grow by 16 percent between 2014 and 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations,” they are constantly faced with the unsubstantiated threat of being “phased out.

Unfortunately, it has been this stigma that has hindered the recognition of LPN’s from receiving the support, guidance, and tools needed to advance their role and perform to their fullest potential.  

With the understanding of what an LPN truly does on a daily basis for their patients, patient families and in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team,  the Illinois College of Nursing believes that with the right support and resources, LPN’s can become the post-acute care specialists that can transform healthcare within the post-acute care world.

The Illinois College of Nursing intends to…

Advocate for the profession and help facilitate a platform for practical nurses to be heard and grow.

To support this mission, in 2015, ICoN conducted an extensive research study to identify the current and future needs of LPN’s. The study concluded LPN’s do perform a critical role in post-acute care in which they comprise the vast majority of healthcare professionals.

Despite popular belief, they do indeed utilize essential skills such as:

Delegation |  Effective Communication | Prioritization | Collaboration | Critical thinking

In addition, they regularly perform comprehensive physical examinations, monitor patient conditions, manage their medical care and provide education to patients and their families.

These are considered basic leadership skills and unfortunately, LPN’s have never been recognized as being leaders.

Based on the results of our research, the Illinois College of Nursing has incorporated leadership training in every class and for every student so they are better prepared to transform the environment in which they work and the patients’ lives for whom they care for.

For more information about ICoN’s leadership research click on the links below:

Magnet Status or Magnet Nurses?
The Pursuit in Achieving Nursing Excellence in Long-term and Post-acute Care

Nurses in Post-Acute Care Fact Sheet