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Licensed Practical Nurse Job Description
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Licensed practical nurse (LPN) is also known as license vocational nurse (LVN) in Texas and California. There are no differences between the two and their duties and responsibilities are the same. They perform a number of duties in out patient units, doctor’s office, nursing homes, hospitals, old age homes and government agencies. Most of their duties are usually related to patient care.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Duties
Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of the physician or registered nurse. They are found at the bedside of the patient most of the time. It is their responsibility to:
1) To take care of patients admitted into the hospital assigned to them.
2) Check and record patients’ height, weight, pulse rate, blood pressure, and respiration condition.
3) Gather patient’s medical history and present ailments.
4) Monitor patient’s condition from time to time.
5) Record patients’ fluid and food intake as well as output.
6) Dress wounds.
7) Administer medicines; check whether the patient is taking the advised dosages.
8) Administer IV fluids (this is permitted only in a few states).
9) Assist in patients’ movements while going for a bath, moving and walking. Maintain good personal hygiene of the patient.
10) Help the patients to drink fluids or juices and feed if them they are not able to do so on their own.
11) Observe patients’ reaction to various drugs and procedures.
12) Take samples of urine and blood.
13) Supervise nursing assistants and orderlies.
14) Advise relatives and friends of patients about the way to handle the patient and the sickness during the hospital stay and after being discharged from the hospital.
15) In doctor’s offices they may have to perform clerical duties such as setting appointments and maintaining patient records.
Licensed Practical Nurse Knowledge and Skill
1) Should have qualities of being sympathetic and caring.
2) Know how to create a safe and effective environment for caring for a patient.
3) Knowledge of various diseases and the associated nursing cares.
4) Have psychological integrity.
5) Physiological strength to withstand the rigors of the job.
Licensed Practical Nurse Educational Qualification and Experience
1) Each State Board of Nursing has a list of approved programs for LPNs and training is provided by technical and vocational schools. Junior and community colleges too provide LPN training.
2) A license popularly known as the NCLEX-PN or the National Council Licensure Examination is mandatory to work as a LPN. Eligibility for NCLEX-PN varies from state to state and a State.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salary and Benefits
1) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median wages of licensed practical nurse (LPN) stood at $ 39,030 in 2008.
2) LPN’s are entitled for standard benefits as determined by their employers.
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