Ask a Nurse: How Do I Get Into a Management Position as an LPN?

In our Ask a Nurse series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.

Thinking about advancing your career in a management role? Well, I think that’s an incredible goal to pursue. While we have heard about the looming nursing shortage, not much is said about the increased need for qualified nurse managers to lead those new nurses.

Licensed practical nurse (LPNs) play an important role in caring for patients in many clinical settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, and nursing homes. They perform many of the same functions that a registered nurse (RN) does with a few crucial exceptions:

However, the rules are not quite as clear-cut with nonclinical job functions. This is not new information, but it is important to understand why the answer to your question isn’t a simple one.

It all boils down to each state’s nurse practice act and what restrictions they put on an LPN license. Unfortunately, there are some states, such as North Carolina, that do not allow an LPN to function in a managerial or charge nurse role. Other states, such as California and Iowa, do allow it, but have specific guidelines in place that dictate when and how an LPN can act as a charge nurse.

Well, the first thing you will want to do is check your state nurse practice act.

If you are in a state that allows you to work as a charge nurse, then great! Here’s what you will want to do first:

Nurse managers are responsible for so much more than just a patient’s clinical care or group of patients. They must be skilled in finance, resource management, planning, and human resources. Having these skills or experiences not only helps you get the job, but prepares you to do it successfully.

Then, when you are ready to look for a leadership role:

If your state places restrictions on whether an LPN can work as a supervisor or charge nurse — some states, for example, require an LPN to manage under the direction of an RN — I offer the same advice!

Finally, if your state does not allow LPNs to function in this role, you still have some options:

Online bridge programs can be completed in as short as 1-2 years, with many that can be done online while you are working. Of course, there are many other options as well. You can earn a bachelor’s degree, a master of science in nursing, and even a doctorate that specializes in nursing leadership.