What is a LPN, Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses play a major part in the care of patients in care facilities. The certified LPN would be permitted to work with patients on a number of different levels. General nurse duties including giving patients baths, helping patients in the restroom and assisting with physical therapy are all typical things that would have to be performed by the LPN. Additionally, the LPN would be responsible for watching and recording the patients’ vital statistics, taking samples of blood, urine, administering an IV, change bandages and working closely with the supervising registered nurse. There are some things that the LPN cannot do that include the more complex patient care like surgery although, they are permitted to do a whole other range of things involved in the care of the patient.There are many great benefits to being a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or licensed vocational nurse as it is called in some places. One great advantage is that training for a career as a licensed practical nurse can be completed within a year or two so that practice in a facility can begin earlier.
You will have to take the vocational courses if you want to work as an LPN. You always have the option as well to gain extra certification by taking additional classes like obstetrics or oncology. It is typical for a high school student wishing to be an LPN to be very familiar with biology. Additionally the more languages that are known, the better the opportunities that will exist in cultural locations.You can find courses on LPN training at vocational schools as well as nursing programs in which you would also gain hands-on training.
An LPN could work in a patients home providing care or in a nursing home if they liked. A typical day working in a hospital with a lot of patients might put the LPN in different areas as needed. They might also possibly find themselves working in a general clinic or working outside in the community providing knowledge classes.
There is typically a good outlook on job availabilities for the licensed practical nurse and this is more so if the LPN has special training. There are many places throughout the country that have a shortage for nurses and will open the door kindly for those who are qualified in patient care. What’s more is that with all the high tech equipment advancements, the need for an LPN has increased in medical facilities. This is because clinics are now able to perform patient care that at one time was only available in hospitals. This means more job opportunities for the qualified LPN.
On a national level, the LPN is reported by the Bureau of Labor to make around $33,920 to $47,220 on average a year. There were a listed 749,000 positions reported for the licensed practical nurse in 2006. It is predicted that in the next 6 years, the number will reach 854,000. That’s a 14% raise in jobs for the LPN during this time. Job openings will be across the board but there will be more available for the LPN who works in private care facilities. The licensed practical nurse sometimes goes on to gain further schooling to be a RN or other healthcare professional.
