If you are here now, you might be considering a career as an LPN. You are driven by compassion, you are a strong communicator, and you carry a desire to help others in need. You know you want to apply to nursing school, but are also eager to get out and working in the nursing field. That is what makes LPN school such a great choice for aspiring nurses – you do not have to commit to years of schooling to land a nursing career. Through Stone Academy’s LPN program, you can become an LPN within months.
Before you take the plunge and enroll in a practical nursing school, however, it is important to understand exactly what the LPN job description entails. It is important to ask questions like, What do Licensed Practical Nurses do, exactly? Where can LPN nurses work? >and Is this the career path for me?
If these questions are already top-of-mind for you, you have come to the right place. Stone Academy is a reputable, accredited Licensed Practical Nursing School located in Connecticut. We understand the exact role of Licensed Practical Nurses, simply because we’ve trained hundreds of them. We can also help you. Below we detail the LPN job description – what LPN nurses do, what you can expect in the role, and how to fulfill the fundamental LPN requirements. Take a look!
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?
A Licensed Practical Nurse is a trained, healthcare professional who provides basic and routine care for patients. LPNs work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors, helping to treat patients who are sick, injured, and disabled on a day-to-day basis. Because of the nature of their role, LPNs are some of the most trusted nurses out there – they are constantly (and closely) working with patients, right at their bedside, monitoring treatment and ensuring patients stay comfortable. Typically, you will find LPNs in traditional healthcare settings such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, and nursing homes.
What Does an LPN Do?
There is no “one-size-fits-all” LPN job description, as the role can vary greatly workplace-to-workplace and state-to-state. No matter where you work, though, you can expect to carry out a great level of patient care. Licensed Practical Nursing is a very hands-on field, with daily duties such as:
- Recording and maintaining patient medical histories
- Measuring patient vital signs
- Monitoring patients’ overall health (for example, routinely checking blood pressure)
- Collecting patient data, including all aspects of a physical examination
- Observing patient symptoms and side effects of medications
- Updating doctors and nurses on a patient’s progress or status
- Assisting doctors and other nurses with medical procedures and testing
- Administering oral and intravenous medications, as permitted by the state
- Starting, monitoring, and discontinuing intravenous fluids or catheters
- Looking after patients with:
- Central intravenous lines that go to, or near, their heart
- Tracheostomy tubes and ventilators
- Nasogastric or gastrostomy tubes
- Caring for and feeding infants in the healthcare setting
- Applying and changing wound dressings
- Collecting lab specimens, such as blood or urine samples
- Performing CPR as necessary
- Assembling and sterilizing certain medical equipment
- Ensuring basic comfort for patients, which might include helping them to bathe or dress
- Discussing care or treatment with patients, and listening to their concerns
- Educating families on how to properly care for their loved ones
How You Can Fulfill the LPN Job Description
The LPN job description is a multi-faceted one. It requires you to be an effective communicator, a critical thinker, a quick thinker, an advocate for patients, and an expert in basic nursing practice and technology. That is why, to become a Licensed Practical Nurse today, you must complete a program that teaches you these very skills and equips you with the knowledge to succeed in your field.
Today, LPNs are required to complete an accredited, postsecondary practical nursing program. This can be taken at the certificate or diploma level, and take about one year to complete. After earning your LPN diploma, you can go on to sit for your state’s NCLEX-PN licensing examination. This will certify you to start working and practicing in an official, active healthcare setting.
Stone Academy’s LPN training program is a great choice for those looking to get into the nursing field fast, and to fulfill a rewarding, hands-on position helping others in need. To request more information on our program, simply Click Here! Or, Apply Now!