LPN
Description: An LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse, and their job dictates that they care for the sick, elderly, and recovering. They work in a number of different kinds of care facilities, such as physician’s offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes. An LPN works under a registered nurse, and they take care of the things that are supplemental to the work of the RN. Similar to a nurse’s assistant, a practical nurse will check vital signs, assist patients in personal hygiene, care for infants, facilitate feeding, supervise nurse’s assistants, teach good health habits, and prepare and administer injections.
An LPN holds jurisdiction over the nurse’s assistant, and that gives them responsibilities that the assistants do not have. However, they answer to the registered nurse in the long run, and there are responsibilities of the RN that the LPN does not deal with.
All in all, an LPN has a number of different responsibilities to care for the patients, keep them healthy, and to keep them and their families informed about their status and health needs. They have certain medical responsibilities and must be able to read charts and vital signs. A basic understanding of health, medicine, and grooming are very important to be a successful LPN.
Statistics: in 2006, there were a reported 749,000 jobs for LPNs, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is set to grow by over 100,000 in the next 8 years. That means that a career as an LPN is a good choice in the long term. With a steady employment rate in hospitals, LPN’s will also be able to find more employment in nursing facilities and special nursing homes.
Training: Most LPN’s are expected to have a high school diploma or GED, followed by a one year training course in a hospital, community college or vocational school. They are required to obtain nursing licensure through the Board of Nursing of their state.
Salary: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2006, LPN’s earned an average annual salary between $31,080 and $46,640. Depending upon what industry in which the nurses worked, the salary would vary. Home health care and nursing facilities offered the highest pay, while hospitals and physicians offices offered slightly lower.
