Job prospects Licensed Practical Nurse (L.P.N.) in New Brunswick

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.)" in New Brunswick or across Canada.

Job opportunities in New Brunswick

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Good

The employment outlook will be good for Licensed practical nurses (NOC 32101) in New Brunswick for the 2023-2025 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 moderate 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 aging 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.

Here are some key facts about Licensed practical nurses in New Brunswick:

Approximately 2,300 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 occupations
- Part-time workers: 18% compared to 16% for all occupations
73% 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

Explore job prospects in New Brunswick by economic region.

Location	Job prospects
Campbellton–Miramichi Region	Good
Edmundston–Woodstock Region	Good
Fredericton–Oromocto	Good
Moncton–Richibucto Region	Good
Saint John–St. Stephen Region	Good