Licensed practical nurses

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Very good for licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 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 3,050 people work in this occupation. Licensed practical nurses mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 53%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 33%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 occupationsPart-time workers: 22% compared to 18% for all occupations76% 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

New Brunswick

The employment outlook will be Very good for licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) in New Brunswick for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many 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.Increased demand for health care services associated with an ageing population will drive employment growth in this occupation over the outlook period. The shift from institutional to home care is also expected to contribute to higher demand for these workers. As governments seek to restrain health delivery costs, hospitals and other care facilities may increasingly use licensed practical nurses to deliver nursing care.Nursing shortages have been an ongoing issue throughout the province, meaning that new graduates should have little trouble finding employment. However, opportunities may be more abundant in rural areas, particularly in francophone regions of the province. Being fluent in both official languages could increase one’s chances of finding employment in certain areas. Individuals with a valid driver’s license and who are willing to do shift work will have enhanced job prospects.Hospitals often recruit directly from colleges.A criminal record check is typically required.Here are some key facts about licensed practical nurses in New Brunswick: Approximately 2,650 people work in this occupation. Licensed practical nurses mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 56%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 35% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 82% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 18% compared to 16% for all occupations73% of licensed practical nurses work all year, while 27% 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 10% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 10% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 90% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 30% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 7% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 84% compared to 23% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 6% compared to 16% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a

Nunavut

The employment outlook will be Very good for licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) in Nunavut for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Ongoing staffing shortages in health care and an ageing population will keep demand high for health professionals over the forecast period.Staffing shortages created periodic disruptions in health care services throughout Nunavut in 2025.Housing shortages and high travel costs make the recruitment and retention of nurses in Nunavut challenging.The Government of Nunavut aims to increase the number of Inuit nursing graduates over the forecast period, as outlined in the Roadmap to Strengthen the Nunavut Nursing Workforce (2021-2026).Permanent and locum nursing positions were available throughout 2025 at the hospital and clinic in Iqaluit, the regional health centres in Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, as well as at community health centres.Workers in this occupation may be eligible for recruitment bonuses and retention and other allowances in addition to their regular pay.A new professional organization for Northwest Territories' and Nunavut's nurses will be created in 2026: the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Nurses.The College and Association of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut updated its nursing practice hour requirements in 2025. To be licensed, nurses must now have 1,125 practice hours within the past five years or 450 practice hours within the past two years.Here are some key facts about licensed practical nurses in Nunavut: Licensed practical nurses mainly work in the following sectors: Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 80%Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 20% The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 67% compared to 15% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a