North Carolina Mental Health and Substance Use Services Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses Data 2024 Snapshot

Sep 16, 2026

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Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses in Mental Health and Substance Use Services Settings

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) working in MH/SU service settings provide nursing care for individuals with MH/SU conditions. LPNs and RNs are licensed and regulated by the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON). In 2024, there were 570 LPNs and 3,743 RNs actively practicing in MH/SU services settings, with statewide rates of 0.52 MH/SU LPNs and 3.41 MH/SU RNs per 10,000 population.

Suggested Citation: Lombardi BM; Headley J; Jimenez MP; Keesler R; Akue-ka AJB; Gregory R; Galloway E; Zerden LD; Fraher E. North Carolina Mental Health & Substance Use Services Workforce Data 2024 Snapshot: Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses in Mental Health and Substance Use Services Settings. Program on Health Workforce Research and Policy. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. May 6, 2026.

Funding & Acknowledgements
This project was supported by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services (DMHDDSUS). The information, content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by DMHDDSUS.

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