Career Facts for Licensed Practical Nursing
Nature of Work
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), care for the sick, injured, convalescing, and handicapped, under the direction of registered nurses or physicians. (The work of registered nurses is described below.)
Most LPNs provide basic bedside care. They take
vital signs
such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and
respiration.
They also prepare and give injections, apply
dressings, and insert catheters. LPNs observe
patients and report adverse reactions
to medications or treatments. They may collect
samples from patients for testing and perform
routine laboratory tests. They
help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal
hygiene, feed them and record food and liquid intake
and output, provide comfort measures, and care for
their emotional needs. In states where
the law allows, they may administer prescribed
medicines or start intravenous fluids. Some LPNs
help deliver, care for, and feed infants. Some
experienced LPNs supervise nursing assistants
and aides.
LPNs in nursing homes, in addition to providing
routine
bedside care, may also help evaluate residents'
needs, develop care plans, and supervise nursing
aides. In doctors' offices and
clinics, including health maintenance organizations,
they may
also make appointments, keep records, and perform
other
clerical duties. LPNs who work in home health may
also
prepare meals and teach family members simple
nursing
tasks.
Employment Prospects
Job prospects for LPNs are expected to remain
very good, as employment in health care grows much
faster than it has in the past. Because of this
growth, the number of new graduates
needed will be well above the number graduated in
recent years. Nursing homes will offer the most new
jobs for LPNs.
Skills You Need
LPNs should have a caring, sympathetic nature.
They should be emotionally stable because work with
the sick and injured can
be stressful. As part of a health care team, they
must be able to follow orders and work under close
supervision. One must possess scientific knowledge,
interpersonal skills, and a high energy level to
succeed in nursing. The ability to communicate
and interact effectively with people is essential.
Nursing also requires manual dexterity to deal with
the technical demands in
the profession. Managerial and critical thinking
skills are vital for effective organization, problem
solving, and coordination.
Expected Earnings
The current salary range for licensed practical
nurses is $18 to
$26 per hour.
