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Licensed Practical Nurse - Career Profile |
Career OverviewLicensed practical nurses, often referred to as LPNs, care for patients suffering from a variety of chronic or acute illnesses and injuries, typically under the direction of physicians or registered nurses.
The role of the licensed practical nurse is typically to provide basic bedside care and take note patient vital signs as a means of monitoring their condition. Licensed practical nurses check conditions such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
In addition to monitoring general patient status, licensed practical nurses are also trained to prepare patients for and to give certain injections and enemas. They are also trained to monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores, and give alcohol rubs and massages as needed.
They may also undertake mundane tasks that include the collection of samples testing; they may perform routine laboratory tests, assist with the feeding of patients, the bathing and dressing of patients to maintain their personal hygiene. Licensed practical nurses with considerable experience may also supervise nursing aids and assist in their general training.
Licensed practical nurses work in hospitals, in private homes, in clinics, in doctor's offices, and at health care centers. They may also function as educators for patients and family members, and administrators for physicians and senior nurses by making appointments and helping to complete some of the many clerical duties of nurses.
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Career RequirementsTo become a licensed practical nurse, individuals are required to pass a licensing examination, known as the NCLEX-PN. They are required to complete a State-approved practical nursing program, for which a high school diploma or its equivalent is usually required for entry.
Most practical nursing programs require one-year commitment, which includes both classroom study complimented by supervised clinical practice. The basic classroom study includes review of anatomy, physiology, medical-surgical nursing, patient care-related subjects, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, and the administration of drugs, nutrition, and first aid.
Although it is not mandatory, most licensed practical nurses have at least a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing in addition to their licenses. A typical licensed practical nurse spends their time working directly with patients to improve their diagnosis, treatment, and general care.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center awards licenses to qualified practical nurses and is the official source for more information about finding an accredited training course. Contact information features below.
American Nurses Credentialing Center
600 Maryland Ave., SW, Suite 100 West
Washington, D.C. 20024-2571
(800) 284-2378
American Nurses' Association
8518 Georgia Ave.,
Ste. 400,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
www.nursingworld.org
National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc
P.O. Box 25647
Alexandria, VA 22313
www.napnes.org
National League for Nursing
61 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
www.nln.org
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Job OutlookIn the next decade, nursing will be one of the top 10 fastest growing professions in the United States according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care facilities will be looking to cut back on general costs so licensed practical nurses may become the preferred alternative to more specialized medical professionals.
The future looks bright in the nursing field, with the number of jobs for licensed practical nurses expected to increase at a rate far greater than that of most other jobs in the next couple of years.
Over the next decade or so, the nursing profession is expected to change as well. Nearly one out of every eight Americans is over 65 years of age and the size of the elderly population looks set to double by 2050, according to the US Census Bureau. Nurses specializing in care of the elderly will be in particular demand.
Hospitals are constantly downsizing, cutting back on the number of general staff, and reducing the time of patients' stay as well, however, hospitalization is and will remain and important element of diagnosis and treatment for critically ill patients, regardless of whether their conditions are chronic or acute. Licensed practical nurses have a vital role to play both inside and outside of hospitals.
There has also been some discussion about dividing the field of nursing into professional nurses and technical nurses. This will distinguish between those who have four-year degrees and those who have associate degrees. Licensed practical nurses with advanced degrees will be more secure in the job market, if such a distinction occurs, than those without advanced training or specialist skills.
As the field develops, there will certainly be increased opportunity for licensed practical nurses to demonstrate leadership and to influence nursing practices in a variety of settings.
The role of the licensed practical nurse is and will remain a vital ingredient to ensure a positive experience for patients in a variety of in- and outpatient settings.
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Career TrackLicensed practical nurses have credentials that allow them to take numerous responsibilities in the field of medicine. They can choose to work day-to-day, practicing general medicine, or they may specialize in particular area of medicine by working towards additional qualifications and certificates.
The career track of every licensed practical nurse may vary considerably. However, the general education, training, and experience of licensed practical nurses offers an excellent foundation for a career track in a variety of areas and in a variety of capacities, from patient care to hospital administration. Wherever your ambitions take you, the qualifications and experience of working as a licensed practical nurse is likely to help you get there.
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CompensationAlthough compensation for licensed practical nurses varies according to their levels of seniority, the annual pay is typically a minimum of $35,000 with additional benefits.
- Licensed practical nurse: $35,000 to $45,000
- General nurse: $40,000 to $60,000
- Licensed practical nurse: $35,000 to $45,000
- Nurse practitioner: $60,000 to $125,000
- Nurse supervisor: $55,000 to $85,000
- Registered nurse: $40,000 to $65,000
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