Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and in some states called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are directed by physicians and registered nurses to care for a wide number of patients, such as the ill, injured, disabled, and convalescent.

They perform a wide variety of duties, such as, measuring and recording patient vitals, height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, etc. They also provide basic care for patients, including comforting them, feeding those who need help, assisting them to baths, dress, take care of personal hygiene, moving or rolling over in bed, walking, standing up, and any number of other necessary services. Senior LPNs often oversee and supervise other nursing assistants or aides.

LPNs also perform a wide variety of other clinical related duties, such as, collecting patient samples for testing, routine lab work, keep diet and fluid records, etc. Occasionally, they will work with infants who need to be cared for and fed, and even work with physicians and nurses to perform routine tests.

Additionally, they monitor the condition of patients by reporting any adverse or unexpected reactions to medications or treatment procedures. Another important routine task that LPNs are responsible for is collecting medical history information from patients, including health history and their current medical symptoms if they are having an abnormal illness, or are otherwise feeling out of the ordinary. This info is then transferred to insurance forms, referrals, pre-authorizations, etc, and is also given to the attending physician or nurse as a means to help diagnose any problems or illnesses, along with prescribing treatment. Sometimes LPNs are responsible for training family members of patients to care for them and how to make positive lifestyle changes, such as eating certain foods, or getting a certain amount of activity into their everyday lives.

The majority of LPNs don’t specialize in any area of healthcare, however some do work in specialized areas, including nursing, doctors offices, home healthcare, etc. These specialized areas of course have their own unique attributes and duties, for example, nursing care LPNs assist to evaluate resident needs, supervise care, develop care plans, etc. A second example would be those working in a doctor’s office, who schedule appointments, keep patient records, and perform cashiering, filing, and other clerical duties. Lastly, LPNs working in home health aide facilities will prepare meals for patients, train family on caring for their loved one, along with other simply nursing duties.

Sometimes more senior LPNs are able to administer medications, prepare an IVs, and assist patients that require ventilators.

LPN Work Environment

LPNs work at least 40 hours per week, and sometimes more depending on the work environment and whether patients need 24 hr service, in which case, working on weekends and holidays is often required. Only about 18 percent of LPNs and LVNs worked part-time in 2008.

As with most nursing positions, LPNs are required to stand for long periods of time, and can be exposed to on-the-job hazards, such as, chemicals, radiation exposure, or infectious disease exposure. Additionally, they must be able to lift heavy loads, for instance, lifting patients from time to time, and as a result back injuries or soreness is possible. Further, patients may become agitated, confused and uncooperative, making some situations hard to deal with, requiring patience and understanding on the LPNs part.

LPN Training Requirements

LPNs require a license in most states, which necessitates a State-approved practical nursing training program for licensure. Most LPN training programs are offered at community and technical colleges, as well as, vocational schools. Sometimes LPN students can find training through high school or hospitals that offer in-house training. Usually a high school diploma is required for eligibility, although some programs (although rare) do not require a high school education.

Most LPN training programs are 1 year long and contain both classroom and clinical study (patient care). Classes go over general nursing concepts and patient care, including anatomy, medical-surgical nursing, physiology, obstetrics nursing, pediatrics, nutrition, pharmacology, and of course first aid. Clinical practice usually attended in a hospital but can include other clinical settings.

LPN Licensure

Licensed practical nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) is in order to become licensed. It is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and is a computer-based exam that varies in length depending on how accurately students answer questions from the start of the test. It covers several patient needs categories, including: health promotion and maintenance, safe and effective care environment, physiological integrity, and psychosocial integrity. Like with most licensing procedures, eligibility will vary by state.

LPN Growth Projections and Job Outlook

According to one of the leading career data and forecasting agencies, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the LPN career outlook is very bright. In fact, employment of LPNs is expected to grow “much faster than average”, at a rate of 21% between 2008 and 2018. Also according to the BLS, this tremendous growth rate is due to many factors, including an increasing elderly population which includes the baby boomer generation, the increasing life expectancy of the overall population due to improved medical technology, and several other factors.

It follows that job prospects are also very good. There are many factors contributing to the large availability of LPN job opportunities, such as, replacement needs as many existing LPNs either leave the occupation permanently, or progress to more senior nursing positions such as registered nurses. Most of the job opportunities are within nursing care and home healthcare facilities, with a smaller percentage available in hospitals. LPNs willing to work in or relocate to rural areas will have an especially easy time finding a job, as there is a perceived inadequacy with the healthcare services and many of these areas.