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LPN Career
By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: March 17th, 2010
(registered nurses or nurse managers) who assign them specific responsibilities and duties. As their proficiency increases, their responsibilities will increase. State-to-state policies may regulate, on some level, what tasks can and can not be performed or delegated to LPNs and LVNs. Becoming a LPN/LVN is the quickest way to break into the medical field.
Learn more about LPN career.
Providing basic bedside care is among the top priority for most LPNs. This entails measuring and recording patients’ vital signs such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, respiration and pulse. On a day-to-day basis, LPNs will be the one providing personal care and assistance to patients. This can range from bathing and dressing patients to assisting with moving, standing walking, and eating.
What Else Can a LPN and LVN Do?
The following tasks may be designated to a LPN or LVN but also vary from state-to-state:- Prepare and give injections
- Prepare and give enemas
- Monitor catheters
- Dress wounds
- Treat bedsores
- Give alcohol rubs and massages
- Collect samples for testing
- Perform routine laboratory tests
- Record food and fluid intake and output
- Monitor patients for adverse reactions to medications and treatments
- Start IV’s
- Administer prescribed medications
Other tasks not directly related to treating a patient that are often given to LPNs are cleaning and monitoring medical equipment, gathering patient information such as health history, completing insurance forms pre-authorizations, and referrals. LPNs are usually responsible for sharing patient information with registered nurses and doctors in order to help them determine the best course of action for a patient. They may also schedule appointments, file medical charts, and perform other clerical duties. Some industries may allow for LPNs and LVNs to be responsible for and oversee nursing assistants and orderlies.
Do LPNs and LVNs work with babies?
Yes, LPNs and LVNs can work in labor and delivery units. Due to state to state policy variations, it’s difficult to give a definitive job description. However, they may be involved in assisting in delivery and the care and feeding of newborns.Learn more about LPN salaries.
Some LPNs and LVNs choose to become credentialed in specialties like IV therapy, gerontology, long-term care, and pharmacology. Experienced LPNs may go on to supervise nursing aides and assistants.
Due to the close and personal nature of the job of a LPN, many will develop close relationships with their patients and their patient’s family members. It will also be the responsibility of a LPN to teach family members how to care for their loved one in the long term. This may include instruction in how to help patients on a day-to-day basis with routine tasks such as eating and bathing.
Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses (as they are called in Texas and California) typically work 40-hour weeks. In work settings where patients need round-the-clock care, such as hospitals and nursing care facilities, this may include working occasional nights, weekends, holidays, and even overtime. Only about 18% of LPNs and LVNs work part-time.
LPNs must be physically able to stand for long periods of time and be strong enough to help patients move in bed, stand, or walk. Other natural qualities that are beneficial to LPNs are being caring and sympathetic in nature as well as having a strong desire to help others. Potential LPNs must also be observant, possess good decision making skills and solid communication skills. The job of a LPN can be stressful so LPNs should be emotionally stable.
If you meet the above criteria, and are considering a career in the medical field, becoming a LPN or LVN may be for you. While doctors and administrators may be at the top of the medical ladder, it’s nurses and LPNs who are the heart and soul of the healthcare industry.