LPN Job Description and Scope of Practice
Jobs in the Health Care Field continue to increase as population grows and ages. Nursing staff make up the bulk of Health Care jobs. These days nurses are in great need and short supply. As our population continues to expand and age, the need for nursing staff will only grow. The nursing field is extensive and encompasses many forms of nursing, from Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) to Nurse Practitioners (NPs) to nurse researchers. One type of nursing, that is growing very fast, is the LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) or LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse).
In my own hospital we utilize LPNs on our Surgical, Medical and Pediatric floors. They help fill in the gaps in nursing staffing and fulfill a very important role. I enjoy working with the few who work on our surgical floor. They are knowledgeable about their patients, competent and provide great patient care.
It can be difficult to know a LPN’s scope of practice or job description. Regulations vary by state. LPNs often find work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health care, the military and anywhere else there is a need for trained nursing care. LPN duties and job descriptions will also vary based on where they practice. They work under the guidance of doctors and Registered Nurses (RNs). A LPN will see to the care of patients who are ill, disabled, rehabilitating or any time a person might be unable to care for themselves.
A LPN’s course of study last roughly a year. During this year, no matter what state they study in, the knowledge base is the same. The same basic practices transfer from facility to facility and state to state. All LPNs must be licensed by their state’s governing board.
LPN Duties and Job Descriptions
Primarily, LPNs perform important, direct patient care. They see to the comfort of their patients. LPN responsibilities include giving back rubs, helping with personal hygiene and assisting with mealtimes. The tasks keep LPNs up to date with the status of their patient. As part of their patient care, LPNs often over see the work of the CNAs who they work with.
LPN job duties also include assisting with medical care. They clean and dress wounds according to doctor’s orders. They monitor vital signs, intake and output, as well as any other bodily functions needing to be monitored. Often LPNs are trained to take venous blood samples and collect other types of specimens for lab studies. You will find LPNs assisting doctors or RNs with different procedures. LPNs also give many different medications – including oral, intravenous and shots. Please note that each state determines and regulates what medications, the form and the route. Many states do not allow LPNs to give intravenous medications.
As part of a LPN job description, paper work is a necessity. LPNs are required to chart on their patients progress and any patient care the LPN provides: making careful records of each patient so that each patient’s care and progress can be assessed properly, collecting pertinent information on patients, including health history and any medications being taken, is important information for the LPN to know and document. LPNs also help with patient and family education – demonstrating techniques, answering questions and assessing for understanding.
LPN Scope of Practice
These basic descriptions of what a LPN’s job entails do not encompass all LPN can learn or do. Some states allow their LPNs to give and monitor intravenous medications, so special training is required. Even within hospitals, the scope of a LPNs practice can be widened through additional education. Certifications, available for a LPN to broaden their abilities, provide another avenue for learning. Basic Life Support (BLS), which includes CPR and knowledge of automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, is a requirement for all LPNs. They can continue on from there to secure their ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life support) or PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support). They can obtain certification in many areas including advanced wound care, hospice care, intravenous therapy, hemodialysis or pet therapy.
LPNs provide a much needed addition to nursing staffs. LPN skills fill in the gaps between CNAs and RNs. They constitute an integral piece to the Health Care system. The need for well trained nursing staff grows. The pursuit of a LPN license will lead you into one of the fastest growing careers. While the basics of care will never change, there is always the opportunity to expand your scope of practice.