Supporting the Dynamic Careers of Licensed Practical Nurses: A Strategy to Bolster the Long-Term Care Nurse Workforce

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  • Jones, Cheryl B.
    • Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    • Other Affiliation: Hillman Scholars Program in Nursing Innovation
  • McCollum, Meriel
  • Tran, Alberta K.
    • Affiliation: School of Nursing
  • Toles, Mark
    • Affiliation: School of Nursing
  • Knafl, George J.
    • Affiliation: School of Nursing
Abstract
  • As the U.S. population ages and the demand for long-term care increases, an insufficient number of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is expected in the nursing workforce. Understanding the characteristics of LPN participation in the workforce is essential to address this challenge. Drawing on the theory of boundaryless careers, the authors examined longitudinal employment data from LPNs in North Carolina and described patterns in LPN licensure and career transitions. Two career patterns were identified: (a) the continuous career, in which LPNs were licensed in 75% or more of the years they were eligible to be licensed and (b) the intermittent career, in which lapses in licensure occurred. Findings indicated that LPNs who made job transitions were more likely to demonstrate continuous careers, as were Black LPNs. These findings suggest the importance of organizational support for LPN career transitions and support for diversity in the LPN workforce.
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Resource type
  • Article
Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Rights holder
  • SAGE Publications
License
  • Attribution 4.0 International
Journal title
  • Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice
Journal volume
  • 22
Journal issue
  • 4
Page start
  • 297
Page end
  • 309
Funder
  • Health Resources and Services Administration
ISSN
  • 1527-1544
  • 1552-7468
Copyright date
  • 2021
Publisher
  • SAGE Publications

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