Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs in Albuquerque, NM
Licensed practical nurses in Albuquerque work everywhere from Presbyterian and Lovelace hospital units to a rehab hospital in Rio Rancho and home health routes across the metro. Presbyterian has posted LPN pay of $21.39 to $36.44 an hour. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and how to get licensed.
Current licensed practical nurse Openings in Albuquerque, NM
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Licensed Practical Nurse Work in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque the LPN market splits into three kinds of work. Hospitals hire LPNs for specific units: Lovelace has posted LPN roles in med surg at Lovelace Westside and in the ER at Lovelace Medical Center near Downtown, UNM Hospital keeps a handful of LPN openings on its board, and Presbyterian has posted LPN roles in the city. Post-acute and long-term care is the second group, with AMG Specialty Hospital in Albuquerque, ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rio Rancho and senior communities such as La Vida Llena in the Northeast Heights hiring on days and nights.
Home health is the third and often best-paid option. Agencies such as Enhabit and Harmony Home Health and Hospice, with postings out of the north side of the city, send LPNs to patients' homes across Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, and home health postings in the metro have ranged from about $30 to $55 an hour. Expect to drive; a reliable car and a clean license are part of the job.
Top Albuquerque Employers Hiring Licensed Practical Nurses
These employers have posted LPN openings in the Albuquerque metro in 2026:
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services - hires LPNs with a posted range of $21.39 to $36.44 an hour.
- Lovelace Health System - posts LPN roles in med surg at Lovelace Westside and in the ER at Lovelace Medical Center.
- UNM Hospital - the academic medical center lists LPN openings alongside its RN jobs.
- AMG Specialty Hospital - Albuquerque - the long-term acute care hospital hires full-time LPNs on days and nights.
- ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Rio Rancho - the inpatient rehab hospital hires PRN and full-time LPNs.
- La Vida Llena - the Northeast Heights senior living community hires licensed nurses at a posted $30.00 to $52.48 an hour.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries in Albuquerque
- Entry level: about $22 to $27 an hour for newly licensed LPNs in clinics and hospitals.
- Experienced: roughly $27 to $36 an hour with a few years in long-term care, rehab or hospital work.
- Senior / home health: $36 to $50 an hour or more for home health, per diem and senior living roles.
These are estimates drawn from 2026 employer postings and pay reports for Albuquerque. Setting moves pay the most: home health and per diem work pay the most per hour but come with driving, variable hours and fewer guaranteed shifts, while hospital and rehab jobs usually offer steadier schedules.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Albuquerque
You need to finish an approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN to be licensed by the New Mexico Board of Nursing. New Mexico uses the title Licensed Practical Nurse, not LVN. Central New Mexico Community College offers a Practical Nursing certificate that takes three terms, runs at Main Campus and the Rio Rancho campus, and is fully approved by the Board of Nursing through January 2028. The Board also requires official transcripts, fingerprints through IdentoGo and NCLEX registration with Pearson VUE. Nurses licensed in another Nurse Licensure Compact state can work here on a multistate license.
What the Job Involves
LPNs give medications and injections, take vital signs, change dressings and care for wounds, collect specimens and report changes in a patient's condition to the RN or provider. They chart in the electronic health record, help patients with daily care and, in long-term care, often lead a team of nursing assistants on the floor. In home health, the LPN visits patients on a schedule and documents each visit.
Skills Employers Look For
- An active New Mexico or multistate compact LPN license
- Current BLS or CPR certification
- Medication administration and wound care
- Electronic health record charting
- A valid driver's license and reliable car for home health
- Patience and clear communication with older patients
Career Path and Advancement
Many Albuquerque LPNs start as nursing assistants or techs, finish CNM's Practical Nursing certificate, and move into long-term care, rehab or clinic work. After a few years, some move to charge roles in senior living or better-paid home health routes. The most common step up is the RN, and CNM's associate nursing degree and the CNM and UNM dual degree give local LPNs a path to RN licensure and a BSN without leaving the metro.
Related Careers in Albuquerque
If practical nursing interests you, these Albuquerque guides are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it LPN or LVN in New Mexico?
New Mexico uses Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN. The license is issued by the New Mexico Board of Nursing after you pass the NCLEX-PN.
How much do LPNs make in Albuquerque?
Newly licensed LPNs generally start around $22 to $27 an hour, and experienced LPNs earn about $27 to $36. Home health and per diem roles have been posted at $30 to $55 an hour.
How long does it take to become an LPN in Albuquerque?
CNM's Practical Nursing certificate takes three terms once you are in the program. After graduation you apply to the Board of Nursing, complete fingerprinting and sit for the NCLEX-PN.
Can I work in Albuquerque with an LPN license from another state?
If you hold a multistate license from another Nurse Licensure Compact state, you can work in New Mexico on it. Otherwise you apply to the New Mexico Board of Nursing for licensure by endorsement.
Do Albuquerque hospitals hire LPNs?
Yes, though fewer than they hire RNs. Lovelace, UNM Hospital and Presbyterian have all posted LPN roles, while long-term acute care, rehab, senior living and home health employers also hire LPNs regularly.
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