Picture this: A healthcare professional who serves as the direct connection between patients and their medical care team, providing hands-on care while monitoring patient conditions and responding to immediate needs.
Think about the last time you or a family member was in a healthcare facility – the nursing professional who took vital signs, administered medications, and ensured comfort was likely a Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN).
LPNs/LVNs represent the front line of patient care. They care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. They combine technical nursing skills with compassionate care delivery, serving as essential team members in various healthcare settings.
Total Employment: 630,250 (2023)
Common Names for Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses
- Charge Nurse
- Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse
- Clinic Nurse
- Home Health Licensed Practical Nurse
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Office Nurse
- Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse
- Private Duty Nurse
- Radiation Oncology Nurse
- Triage Licensed Practical Nurse
What Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses Do
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs) typically work in structured healthcare settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities, where they provide basic nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. Core responsibilities include:
- Patient Care Monitoring: Basic health assessment, vital signs tracking, and ongoing observation of patient conditions to ensure early detection of changes and prompt medical intervention.
- Medication Administration: Following physician orders to dispense prescribed medications, monitor effects, and document patient responses while ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
- Basic Nursing Procedures: Performing routine medical procedures like catheterization, wound dressing changes, and injections following established healthcare protocols and infection control standards.
- Patient Education: Teaching patients and families about basic health maintenance, medication schedules, and post-treatment care to promote better health outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions.
- Documentation Management: Maintaining accurate, detailed patient records and care notes to ensure continuous care coordination and meet legal/regulatory requirements.
- Care Plan Implementation: Following established care plans, reporting patient progress, and collaborating with RNs and physicians to adjust treatment approaches as needed.
- Basic Life Support: Responding to immediate medical needs and emergencies, providing basic life support when necessary, and alerting appropriate medical staff for advanced interventions.
- Infection Control: Maintaining sterile conditions, following safety protocols, and implementing infection prevention measures to protect both patients and healthcare staff.
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