North Carolina’s LPN Workforce Faces a Double Challenge: Declining Supply and Fewer Nurses in Long-Term Care

Report by Erin P. Fraher PhD MPP, Julie C. Spero MSPH, and Monica P. Jimenez PhD

Nov 6, 2026

North Carolina is expected to face a shortage of more than 5,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) by 2033 with all regions of the state facing shortfalls. Nursing home, extended care, and assisted living facilities will be greatly affected, with LPN job openings projected to outnumber available LPNs by two to one.

Addressing LPN shortages requires a multi-tiered approach. Strategies include increasing the number of graduates from LPN programs in the state, retaining existing LPNs in the workforce, and reengaging LPNs who have left practice. A new report examines where North Carolina’s LPN workforce is growing, where it is declining, and what these trends mean for employers, educators, workforce planners, and policymakers seeking to ensure adequate staffing across the continuum of care.