Growing Lack of Applicants for LPN Jobs

A new study by the National Senior Living Providers Network (NSLPN.com) indicates LPN jobs and skilled nursing positions are in most demand across the country.  NSLPN tracks over 25,000 senior care jobs and their application trends.  Brought to light by their study was the astounding deficiency of applicants per LPN job opening.  In fact, there was not even 1 applicant per open LPN position (average of 0.5 applicants per job over the past year).  Contrast this with an average of 2.2 applicants per retirement community job.

This growing deficiency is concerning to the nursing community and senior care employers in particular.  Lawsuits are a growing trend in the senior care industry, and insufficient care and coverage is an ongoing issue.

Texas and Florida appear the worst off in this category.  Texas and Florida are 2 of the largest employers of license practical nurses in the country.  Texas had an average of 0.5 applicants per available senior care job, and Florida averaged only 0.8.  Given that Florida has the quickest growing senior population, this number is troublesome.

One change that we see emerging is education before application.  Applicants are more willing these days to begin the education process toward an LPN or other advanced degree before applying for desired positions.  This has certainly given an advantage to those applicants who show initiative.  These days this type of continuing education is necessary to remain competitive and in demand.  The good news is that more and more high quality institutions are getting online, making it a bit easier for the working nurse community.