Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Licensed practical nurses are in steady demand across Tucson's skilled-nursing facilities, clinics, and home-health agencies - the settings that lean on them most - and Pima Community College's Practical Nurse certificate gets you licensed in about a year for roughly $10,000 in-state. That makes LPN one of the fastest, most affordable ways into nursing in Tucson, and because Pima's program stacks directly into its associate degree in nursing, plenty of people use it as a paid stepping stone toward becoming an RN.
Current Licensed Practical Nurse Openings in Tucson, AZ
Top Tucson Employers Hiring Licensed Practical Nurses
LPN roles in Tucson concentrate in long-term care, clinics, and home health. Each link lands on current openings:
- Banner and TMC Health clinics - hospital outpatient clinics and physician practices hiring LPNs for patient care and clinic support.
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - the Tucson VA hiring LPNs for inpatient units and outpatient clinics serving veterans.
- Skilled-nursing and rehab facilities - Handmaker, Devon Gables, and similar facilities hiring LPNs for long-term and post-acute care.
- Assisted living and memory care - senior communities across the metro hiring LPNs for medication management and resident care.
- Home health and hospice agencies - Casa de la Luz and similar providers hiring LPNs for in-home and end-of-life care.
- El Rio Health and community clinics - community health centers hiring LPNs, where bilingual Spanish is valued.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries in Tucson
- Entry-level: about $50,000 - $56,000 per year ($24 - $27 per hour)
- Experienced: about $56,000 - $64,000 per year ($27 - $31 per hour)
- Charge / specialty LPN: about $64,000 - $73,000 per year ($31 - $35 per hour)
These are estimates that vary by setting, shift, and experience. Skilled-nursing and home-health roles often add shift differentials, and many employers offer benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and tuition assistance toward an RN degree. Bilingual ability and specialty skills can move you up the range.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Tucson
The standard local route is Pima Community College's Practical Nurse certificate, which is approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, takes about 12 months full-time, and costs roughly $9,900 in-state plus books. After finishing, you apply to the Arizona State Board of Nursing and pass the NCLEX-PN to earn your license, and you will need an IVP fingerprint clearance card. Because Pima's credentials are stackable, LPN graduates qualify for the LPN-to-ADN bridge into the registered-nurse program, and Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license lets you work across compact states.
What the Job Involves
A Tucson LPN provides hands-on bedside care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians: administering medications, performing wound care, monitoring vital signs, charting, and educating patients and families. The setting shapes the day - in a skilled-nursing facility like Handmaker you manage ongoing care for the same residents, in a clinic you handle injections, intake, and follow-up, and in home health you work one-on-one in patients' homes. It is steady, people-centered work that often runs on 8- or 12-hour shifts.
Skills Employers Look For
- An active Arizona LPN license and current BLS
- Medication administration and wound care
- Accurate charting in electronic medical records
- Compassion and patience with patients and families
- Bilingual English/Spanish, valued across Tucson employers
- Stamina for shift work and patient handling
Career Path & Advancement
In Tucson the LPN role is both a destination and a launchpad. Many LPNs move up to charge or lead roles in long-term care, while others use Pima's LPN-to-ADN bridge to become registered nurses, often with employer tuition help. Specializing in areas like wound care, IV therapy, or geriatrics raises pay, and the experience transfers across every clinic, facility, and agency in Southern Arizona that employs practical nurses.
Related Careers in Tucson
If you are building a nursing or patient-care career in Tucson, these related guides are worth a look:
- Registered Nurse Jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Certified Nursing Assistant Jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Medical Assistant Jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Healthcare Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to work as an LPN in Tucson?
Yes. To work as a licensed practical nurse in Tucson you must graduate from a state-approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and be licensed by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, along with an IVP fingerprint clearance card. Arizona is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license from another compact state also lets you practice here.
How long does LPN school take in Tucson?
Pima Community College's Practical Nurse certificate takes about 12 months of full-time study, including classroom, simulation lab, and clinical rotations, and costs roughly $9,900 in-state plus books. Part-time or evening tracks at some schools extend the timeline to 18 to 24 months for working students.
How much do LPNs make in Tucson?
Entry-level LPNs in Tucson generally earn about $24 to $27 per hour, experienced LPNs roughly $27 to $31 per hour, and charge or specialty roles around $31 to $35 per hour. Skilled-nursing and home-health settings often add shift differentials on top of base pay.
Can you become an RN after working as an LPN in Tucson?
Yes, and it is a common path. Pima Community College offers an LPN-to-ADN bridge that lets licensed practical nurses move into the associate degree nursing program and become registered nurses, and many Tucson employers offer tuition assistance to LPNs who want to advance.
Where do LPNs work most in Tucson?
LPNs in Tucson are concentrated in skilled-nursing and rehabilitation facilities, assisted living and memory care, home health and hospice, and outpatient and community clinics like El Rio. Hospitals employ some LPNs as well, though they tend to use more registered nurses for inpatient care.
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