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LPN Job Description
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), care for the health of patients under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses (RNs). An LPN's responsibilities can be broad. Examples of LPN activities include:
- recording vital signs
- obtaining patient information
- providing injections
- helping with daily care
- dressing wounds
- monitoring equipment
- conducting regular lab tests
- teaching patients and their families about their care
LPNs are usually generalists that can work across many areas of healthcare, often within a hospital. Many work in focused settings such as nursing homes, physician offices, home health care, clinics, military facilities, or federal government facilities. Another common work situation are LPN travel jobs in which the LPN takes temporary, contract assignments in various locations. LPN travel jobs can be a useful way to increase earnings or to evaluate a region and workplace before taking a permanent position.
Becoming an LPN offers a fast entry into a nursing career - a student can obtain a license within one year. LPNs have a foundation for advancing their careers into nursing jobs that offer higher pay and responsibilities. For instance an LPN can become an RN through one of many available LPN to RN degree programs.
Degrees and Schools
Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.
LPNs typically complete a one to two year practical nursing program that leads to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. LPN training involves study of anatomy, pharmacology, patient care, communication, and includes substantial clinic time.
Certificate and diploma programs are the most popular paths for becoming an LPN. An associate degree can be valuable as a foundation for more advanced nursing degrees, such as a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN), that prepare students for roles with greater responsibilities.
LPN training programs are commonly available from a hospital, community or junior college, or technical vocational school. Some may be available from a four-year college or university. Whatever the school, a program must be approved by a state's Board of Nursing in order for a student to qualify for a license.
Once a program is completed successfully, the nurse must pass a state regulated examination, known as the NCLEX-PN, to become licensed. States commonly accept LPNs that have been licensed in other states without further requirements.
Classes
Most LPN degree programs teach a similar set of basic nursing skills. These include, for instance, measuring vital signs, data collection, patient care and comfort, and giving medication. Most also are required by states to include training for advanced skills such as phlebotomy, intravenous (IV)infusion, and IV medication administration. Common LPN nursing classes include those for nursing fundamentals, psychology, adult health, mental health, pediatric health, anatomy, physiology, obstetrics, nutrition, first aid, and more.
Online Classes and Programs
Because LPN training involves substantial clinical time, LPN programs have been only available on site. Many of these programs offer busy adults the flexibility of completing classes during nights and weekends.
Availability of online LPN nursing programs have been limited to existing LPNs that are seeking to advance their careers and expertise. There has been rapid growth in these online programs – there are now hundreds – because of their flexibility for busy, working adults and those distant from a school. Online courses can be completed at convenient times and any location with an internet-connected computers. For programs with clinical segments, these are typically coordinated with an appropriate medical facility that is close to the student.
Example online programs that are popular for LPNs include LPN to RN degrees, LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, and others.
Education and Employment RequirementsLPN school candidates are required to at least be high school graduates. The rules of State Boards of Nursing apply to entrants. For example the requirements for taking boards usually include a clean criminal record and graduation from an approved practical nursing program.
How to Evaluate Schools
Prospective LPN students should consider the following factors in evaluating LPN schools:
- LPN school size - Small schools frequently provide the most personal interaction with faculty and staff while larger schools often will have the largest selection of program and study options.
- Career path - An LPN program that is part of a school offering advanced nursing programs, such as a bachelor or master degrees, can provide the most flexibility should a student later decide to advance his/her degree and career.
- Student to faculty ratios - Fewer students per teacher during clinical work and classes can be an important factor in getting a high quality education.
- Clinical time - An LPN school should have adequate clinical time in various practice areas, including direct experience with patients, to help ensure that students are prepared for their LPN jobs. A good way to assess this may be for candidate students to speak with a school's current and recently graduated students.
- Board pass rates - Look for schools with high pass rates of the board examinations as this can be a sign of the general quality of a program.
- Tuition and financial Aid - Both tuition and availability of financial aid can vary significantly from one LPN school to another.
- Charge Nurse
- Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC LPN)
- Clinic Nurse
- Home Health Care Provider
- Home Health Nurse
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- Nursing Technician
- Office Nurse
- Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN)
- Private Duty Nurse
- Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE LPN)
