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.
07-09-2010, 06:15 PM
Licensed Practical And Licensed Vocational Nurses
