LPN nursing is a career that involves working with the injured, sick, disabled and convalescent under supervision of Registered Nurses and physicians.
Licensed practical nurses give basic care, assist patients in bathing and feeding, take vital signs, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, apply dressings and monitor catheters.
LPN nursing training programs are offered by vocational and technical schools lasting for about a year. Job prospects are predicted to be very good at present and in the coming years however job outlook may vary depending on the industry.
The LPN nursing industry has a high turnover rate which is one reason for the high number of job openings.
As you are already aware, LPNs mainly give direct health care to patients under the direction of the physician or RN. LPNs are responsible in performing the following tasks:
• provide basic bedside care
• measure and record patients’ vital signs
• prepare and give injections and enemas
• monitor catheters
• dress wounds
• give alcohol rubs and massages
• moving patients in bed, assisting in standing, and walking
• feed patients who need help eating
• experienced LPNs supervise nursing assistants and aides
• collect samples for lab testing
• perform routine lab tests
• record food and fluid intake and output
• clean and monitor medical equipments
• help physicians and RNs perform some tests and procedures
• help to deliver, care for, and feed infants
LPN nursing jobs can be found in any area of healthcare but there are some in specialized settings like a doctor’s office, nursing homes, home health care, etc. Those n nursing facilities are responsible in developing and supervising CNAs and the care that they provide patients.
In clinics and doctors’ offices, they do clerical work such as keeping records and making appointments. Home health care LPNs educate the patient’s family members about proper meal preparation and basic nursing tasks.
There are some states where LPNs are allowed to administer medicines as long as they are prescribed, provide care to ventilator-dependent patients and start intravenous fluids.
The LPN nursing work environment subject LPNs to 40 hours a week work schedule and in settings where round the clock practitioners are needed, they are required to work nights and weekends. The job requires LPNs to deal with heavy workloads, standing for long hours, moving patients and work hazards including radiation and infectious diseases.
It’s important for you to understand the nature of LPN nursing before deciding to follow this career. It is a physically and emotionally demanding work but you may still find it a very rewarding job.
Related posts:
- Practical Nursing as a Career
- International Nursing Jobs: Work Abroad As a Nurse
- A Neonatal Nurse: Definition and Responsibilities
- Nurse Job Description: The Many Faces of the Professional Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant Training: Get Certified, Get Employed