Licensed Practical Nurse
Alt Names: LPN, Licensed Vocational Nurse, LVN
Career Description
LPNs are professionals who provide direct and basic nursing care to patients.They work alongside Doctors and Registered Nurses (RNs) while often managing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
Job Responsibilities
Taking patient vital signs and record
Report information to appropriate personnel (i.e. RN or Doctor)
Monitor and record patients’ health for database
Comfort patient and family members. Discuss concerns.
Administer medication to patient as prescribed by physician
Provide basic wound care including cleaning, bandaging, and inserting catheters
Supervise CNAs
Help with transportation of patients
Education & Training
Must complete accredited program and receive certificate (programs may be taken in some high schools, community colleges, technical schools, etc)
Important Courses & Info:
Certification program usually takes min. 1 year to complete
Person must be able to pass a drug test prior to entering in LPN program
License and/or Certification
Must pass NCLEX exam from accredited program in order to earn LPN/LVN license
Salary
2010 Median Pay: $40,380 per year [Source:BLS.Gov]
Valuable Skills & Qualities
This occupation is good for people who are:
Self-motivated
Quick thinkers
Organized
Flexible (may have to work later shifts then posted, or have to fill in for people last minute)
Work Environment/Setting
Nursing homes, hospitals, physician offices, community elderly care facilities, private homes
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