Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and RPN Jobs and Staffing
In Ontario the role is called Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). Everywhere else it is mostly Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). It is the same core role. We place practical nurses in every province and territory except Quebec.
- Free for candidates. Always.
- Licences verified with the regulator
- Every province and territory except Quebec
LPN, RPN, RN: what is the difference?
The same letters mean different things in different provinces. Here is a quick guide.
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse. Used in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces and territories.
RPN in Ontario
Registered Practical Nurse. Regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario. The same type of role as an LPN elsewhere.
RPN elsewhere
Registered Psychiatric Nurse. A separate profession with its own regulator or licence in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Not the same as an Ontario RPN.
RN
A different regulated profession with broader scope.
Registered nursesLooking for psychiatric nursing? See our psychiatric and mental health nurses page.
What LPNs and RPNs do
Practical nurses provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor and report changes, do dressings and treatments and work as part of a team with RNs. Their scope varies by province and by the complexity and predictability of the patient.
Medication and treatments
Within provincial scope.
Monitoring and reporting
Stable and predictable patients, escalating when care becomes complex.
Team care
Working with RNs, NPs and care aides.
Where we place practical nurses
LPN and RPN staffing is a major need in long-term care and community settings.
Long-term care
Resident care alongside RNs and care aides.
Long-term care nurse staffingHome and community care
Care for clients at home and in the community.
Home and community care staffingAmbulatory clinics
Outpatient and clinic support.
Ambulatory clinic staffingHospital
Units that use LPN or RPN care models.
Hospital staffingPalliative and hospice
Comfort-focused care teams.
Palliative and hospice staffingWe also support retirement and assisted living settings.
How it works
For nurses
- Submit your profileInclude your licence details.
- We confirm registrationWe discuss your preferences.
- We match youWe introduce you to suitable facilities.
- You chooseShifts, contract or permanent roles.
For facilities
- Tell us the needShifts and units.
- We source and verifyWe check practical nurses' licences.
- You reviewYou look over profiles and interview.
- You fill the roleThrough relief, contract or direct hire.
See contract and relief nurse staffing and direct hire nurses.
Each province has its own regulator
Practical nurses must hold a current licence in the province or territory where they work. A licence from one jurisdiction does not automatically allow work in another. Applicants usually need to register with the new regulator.
| Province or territory | Regulator |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) |
| Alberta | College of LPNs and HCAs of Alberta (CLHA), formerly the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA), renamed February 2, 2026 |
| Saskatchewan | College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Saskatchewan (CLPNS), formerly the Saskatchewan Association of Licensed Practical Nurses (SALPN) |
| Manitoba | College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) |
| Ontario | College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), which regulates RPNs |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Nursing and Midwifery Regulator (NSNMR) |
| Prince Edward Island | Prince Edward Island College of Nursing & Midwifery (PEICNM) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses (NLCN), effective April 15, 2026 |
| Northwest Territories and Nunavut | College of Nurses of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (CNNN) |
| Yukon | Government of Yukon, Professional Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (Community Services), under the Licensed Practical Nurses Act |
For New Brunswick, ask us which body licenses practical nurses and we will confirm it with you. We do not currently place in Quebec.
Regulators merge and rename often, so confirm details on the regulator's own site.
Our verification promise: We verify licence status with the regulator before submitting a candidate. We do not guarantee hiring outcomes. See our credentialing and compliance page.
What you can expect from us
Free for candidates. Always.
Credentials checked at source
Licences are confirmed with the regulator before submission.
Clear role matching
LPN, RPN and RN are never mixed up.
Straight communication
Honest information about shift availability and fill likelihood.
Frequently asked questions
Is an LPN the same as an RPN?
In Ontario the practical nurse title is RPN, for Registered Practical Nurse. Elsewhere it is LPN. In the western provinces an RPN is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, which is a different profession with its own regulator or licence. Always check which one a posting means.
Can an LPN work as an RN?
No. RN is a separate licence that requires RN education. A practical nurse who wants to practise as an RN would need to complete that education and register with the regulator. See our registered nurses page for how RN roles differ.
Can I move my LPN licence to another province?
You apply to the new province's regulator. Requirements vary by province, and a licence from one jurisdiction does not automatically allow work in another. Start early and check the regulator's website for the current steps, fees and timelines.
What settings hire LPNs most?
Long-term care, home and community care, clinics and some hospital units. Long-term care and community settings are a major source of demand. Tell us the setting you prefer and the shifts you can work, and we will point you to matching roles.
Do you place permanent roles?
Yes, through Direct Hire, as well as contract and relief. Which arrangements are available depends on the facility and the region, so tell us what you prefer and whether you are open to more than one option.
Does it cost me anything to work with you?
No. It is free for candidates. Facilities pay for our service. You will not be asked to pay to submit your profile, to be matched with a facility or to accept a placement through us.
Related pages
Registered nurses
RN jobs and staffing.
Registered nursesHealth care aides and PSWs
Support roles in care teams.
Health care aides and PSWsLong-term care
Staffing for long-term care homes.
Long-term care nurse staffingHome and community care
Care in homes and communities.
Home and community care staffingPsychiatric and mental health nurses
Mental health nursing roles.
Psychiatric and mental health nursesNurse practitioners
Advanced practice nursing.
Nurse practitionersFind the right practical nurse match
I am an LPN or RPN
Share your profile and we will be in touch. Free for candidates. Always.
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