Licensed Practical Nurses

On the Job

Overview

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, or have disabilities.

It's become common knowledge that the U.S. is facing a nursing shortage. As Americans grow older, two things will happen. First, a lot of nurses will retire. Second, more and more people will need care, especially in nursing homes and assisted living centers. In fact, studies predict that nearly 1,000,000 nurses will be needed by the year 2010. This number includes both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

Licensed practical nurses work under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse. Most LPNs provide basic bedside care to patients. They answer patients' calls and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They treat patients for bedsores, give alcohol rubs, and apply dressings. They apply hot water bottles and ice packs. LPNs feed patients and record their food and liquid intake and output. They also help patients with other personal care activities, such as bathing, dressing, or brushing their teeth.

LPNs observe patients and report any negative reactions to treatments or medications. They collect blood and other samples from patients for testing. In some work settings, they perform routine lab tests. They also get patients ready for more complex tests and exams. They explain how procedures work and answer questions. They also set up exam or treatment rooms by displaying, ordering, and cleaning equipment. This may include catheters and oxygen machines.

In states where the law allows them to, LPNs may give prescribed medications. They may also start intravenous (IV) fluids. Some LPNs help deliver, care for, and feed infants. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

In nursing homes, LPNs provide basic bedside care as they do in other settings. In addition, they may help evaluate the needs of residents and develop care plans. In doctors' offices and clinics, LPNs often make appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical duties. LPNs who work in private homes may prepare meals. They may also teach simple nursing tasks to family members. They keep patients' rooms neat and make sure that patients are comfortable.

In all work settings, LPNs record important data, such as vital signs, in patients' charts.

Work Activities

The following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career.

• Take patients' vital signs, such as pulse and blood pressure.
• Give basic care and treatments, such as taking temperature and dressing wounds, under the direction of doctors or registered nurses.
• Answer patients' calls, observe them, and report negative reactions to medication.
• Collect blood and other samples for testing.
• Perform routine laboratory tests.
• Prepare patients for exams and tests. Explain all procedures to them.
• Feed patients and record food and liquid intake and output.
• Assist patients with personal care, such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene.
• Set up treatment rooms and necessary equipment.
• Work with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to oversee patient progress.
• May administer prescribed medications or start intravenous (IV) fluids.
• May help deliver, care for, and feed infants.
• May supervise nursing assistants and aides.
• May help evaluate patients' residential needs and develop care plans.
• May schedule appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical tasks.
• May prepare meals and teach family members simple nursing tasks.
• Record important information about patients in their charts.

People in this career perform the following list of tasks, but the tasks are common to many occupations.

• Assist and care for others.
• Get information needed to do the job.
• Document and record information.
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Make decisions and solve problems.
• Identify objects, actions, and events.
• Update and use job-related knowledge.
• Explain the meaning of information to others.
• Perform activities that use the whole body.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings.
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work.
• Inspect equipments, structures, or materials.
• Work with the public.
• Teach others.
• Handle and move objects.
• Evaluate information against standards.
• Coordinate the work and activities of others.
• Develop and build teams.
• Schedule work and activities.

Working Conditions

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

Interpersonal Relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction with patients.
• Communicate by telephone and in person on a constant basis. They also communicate by letters and memos, but less often.
• Often deal with people who are unpleasant or discourteous due to their injuries or illness.
• Are substantially responsible for outcomes and results. Good care means patients heal faster.
• Are substantially responsible for the health and safety of their patients.
• May on occasion be placed in conflict situations with patients or family members.
• Almost always work as part of a group.

Physical Work Conditions

• Are often exposed to diseases or infections when interacting with patients.
• Always work indoors.
• Work very near others. They are in close contact with patients throughout their shift.
• Sometimes wear safety attire, such as gloves or masks.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• Sometimes are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as from medical or cleaning equipment.
• May have to get into awkward positions when moving patients.

Work Performance

• Must be very exact in their work. Errors could seriously endanger patients' health.
• Make decisions that affect their employer, patients, and coworkers on a daily basis. They often have to make quick decisions without consulting another nurse or doctor first.
• Set nearly all their daily tasks and goals for the day without consulting a supervisor first. The needs of patients often dictate their work.
• Abide by strict daily deadlines.
• Repeat the same tasks, such as giving medications and making notes in patient charts.

Hours/Travel

• May work part time or full time. Most work full time.
• Work a set schedule.
• May work days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands

In a typical work setting, people in this career:

People in this career frequently:

• Stand when assisting or treating patients.
• Walk around the treatment center and occasionally run to reach patients.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for people in this career to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See details of objects whether they are nearby or far away.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for people in this career to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble small objects.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.