LVN Jobs Outside Hospitals: Career Paths in Long-Term and Community Care
TL;DR: LVN Jobs Outside Hospitals: Career Paths
- LVNs work in many settings beyond hospitals. LVN jobs outside hospitals include long-term care, clinics, home health, and hospice.¹
- Long-term care and skilled nursing facilities are among the largest employers of vocational nurses.¹
- Home health and community clinic roles emphasize continuity of care and patient education.2
- Stanbridge University’s LVN program is BVNPT-approved and ACCSC-accredited.3 4
- Program completion typically takes 17–19 months (full-time) or 26–28 months (part-time).5
- Reported NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates at select campuses exceeded 88%–98% between 2019 and 2023, depending on location and year.6
When many people picture a Licensed Vocational Nurse, they imagine a fast-paced hospital floor. However, LVN jobs outside hospitals make up a significant portion of today’s healthcare workforce. While hospitals remain one employment option, vocational nurses also play an essential role across a wide range of healthcare environments that extend well beyond acute care facilities.¹
Understanding the scope of LVN jobs outside hospitals can help prospective students better align their training with long-term career goals. From long-term care facilities to home health and community clinics, LVN roles vary in pace, responsibility, and patient interaction, offering meaningful flexibility within the profession.¹
Where Can LVNs Work Besides Hospitals?
Licensed Vocational Nurses work in many healthcare settings outside hospital systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LVNs are commonly employed in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and residential care environments.¹ These settings often focus on ongoing care, chronic condition management, and patient support rather than short-term acute treatment.
Non-hospital environments may appeal to LVNs who value continuity of care and long-term patient relationships. Each setting offers distinct responsibilities that remain within the LVN scope of practice, as defined by state regulations.¹
Demand for LVNs in Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing
LVN jobs outside hospitals are particularly common in long-term care facilities and skilled nursing centers, which are among the largest employment sectors for vocational nurses.¹ In these environments, LVNs provide daily nursing care, administer medications, monitor patient conditions, and coordinate closely with registered nurses and physicians.1
As the population continues to age, demand for LVN jobs outside hospitals in long-term care settings is expected to remain strong.2 These roles often emphasize continuity of care, patient advocacy, and collaboration across healthcare teams, making them well suited for nurses who value long-term patient relationships.²
LVN Roles in Home Health and Hospice Settings
LVNs also work in home health and hospice care throughout California.¹ In home health, vocational nurses travel to patient residences to deliver nursing services such as medication administration, wound care, and health monitoring. Hospice settings focus on comfort-based care, symptom management, and family support during end-of-life stages.
These roles typically require strong communication skills and the ability to work independently within a care plan established by supervising clinicians.2 Home-based care settings may offer more flexible schedules compared to institutional environments.
Want to learn more about the LVN role? Here are the differences between a vocational nurse and a medical assistant.
Vocational Nurse Opportunities in Community Clinics
Community clinics and outpatient care centers employ LVNs to support preventive care and ongoing treatment.¹ In these roles, vocational nurses assist with patient intake, vital signs, immunizations, health education, and care coordination.2
Clinic-based LVN positions often involve predictable schedules and consistent patient populations. This environment may be well-suited for those interested in public health-focused or community-oriented nursing roles.¹
How LVN Responsibilities Vary by Setting
How does the LVN role differ across settings? Although LVN licensure defines a consistent scope of practice, daily responsibilities differ by work environment.2 In hospitals, LVNs often focus on direct bedside care under close supervision. In long-term care, they may manage larger patient caseloads and oversee routine nursing services.¹
Home health and clinic roles emphasize patient education, documentation, and continuity of care.2 Understanding these differences helps future LVNs select settings that align with their professional strengths and preferences.¹
Preparing for Diverse LVN Career Paths at Stanbridge University
The Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing program at Stanbridge University is designed to prepare students for vocational nursing roles across hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and community-based settings. The program is approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.3 4
Students complete a structured curriculum that integrates nursing theory, skills labs, and supervised clinical education. Program completion typically takes 17 to 19 months for full-time students and 26 to 28 months for part-time students, depending on cohort scheduling and individual progression.5 Integrated NCLEX-PN preparation is embedded throughout the curriculum. Reported licensure outcomes show that first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates at the Orange County campus ranged from 93.46% to 98.74% between 2019 and 2023, while the Los Angeles campus reported first-time pass rates between 88.10% and 93.33% during the same period.6
Would you like a glimpse at how Stanbridge’s LVN program is structured? Here’s what a day in the life of an LVN student at Stanbridge is like.
Stanbridge University Recognition
Stanbridge University offers healthcare degree programs across its Southern California campuses in Irvine, Alhambra, Riverside, and San Marcos. The university has been recognized for both academic excellence and workplace culture, including recognition in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as an Opportunity College and in Research.com’s 2024 Best Healthcare Degree Programs in America.
Stanbridge University’s Orange County campus earned the 2024–2025 ACCSC School of Excellence Award, and in 2025, Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce ranked Stanbridge among the top 5% of U.S. colleges for 10-year return on investment, based on earnings and tuition data from qualifying programs. Stanbridge is accredited by Investors in People (London) and certified as a Great Place to Work.
Complete award listings and sources are available at stanbridge.edu/awards.
Exploring Career Flexibility as an LVN
LVN long-term career opportunities extend well beyond hospital settings. Long-term care facilities, home health agencies, outpatient clinics, and community-based organizations all rely on vocational nurses to deliver consistent, patient-centered care.¹ These environments allow LVNs to build sustained patient relationships while applying core nursing skills in different contexts.
By understanding how responsibilities vary across care settings, aspiring LVNs can make more informed decisions about their education and professional direction. Training that emphasizes adaptability and clinical competence supports this flexibility throughout a vocational nursing career.
If you are considering vocational nursing as a path into healthcare, you can learn more about the Associate of Occupational Science in Vocational Nursing program at Stanbridge University by visiting the program page. You may also schedule a meeting with an admissions representative to discuss program structure, licensure preparation, and next steps toward enrollment.
FAQs
Where can LVNs work besides hospitals?
Licensed Vocational Nurses work in many healthcare settings outside hospital systems. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LVNs are commonly employed in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, physicians’ offices, home healthcare services, and residential care environments.¹
Is there demand for LVNs in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities?
Yes. Long-term and residential care facilities are among the largest employers of LVNs due to ongoing patient care needs.¹
Can LVNs work in home health or hospice settings in California?
Yes. LVNs are commonly employed in home health and hospice settings, providing nursing care under supervision and within state regulations.¹
How does the LVN role differ across settings?
Although LVN licensure defines a consistent scope of practice, daily responsibilities differ by work environment.2 In hospitals, LVNs often focus on direct bedside care under close supervision. In long-term care, they may manage larger patient caseloads and oversee routine nursing services.¹
Do LVNs work under supervision in non-hospital settings?
Yes. According to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians and the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LVNs work under the supervision of registered nurses, physicians, or other licensed providers across all healthcare settings, including long-term care, clinics, and home health environments.¹
References
¹ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm. As viewed on January 15, 2026.
2 Source: California Employment Development Department (EDD), Licensed Vocational Nurses Occupational Profile (SOC Code 29-2061), https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?menuchoice=&soccode=292061%20%20%20%20&geogArea=0604000037. As viewed on January 15, 2026.
3 Source: California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), Accreditation and Licensing Information. www.bvnpt.ca.gov. As viewed on January 15, 2026.
4 Source: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accreditation Information. www.accsc.org. As viewed on January 15, 2026.
5 Program duration subject to change. Completion times vary depending on the start and end dates of a cohort and individual student progression.
6 Source: California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), NCLEX-PN Examination Reports, 2019–2023. As viewed on January 15, 2026.