About 26 %of LPNs or Licensed Practical Nurses prefer working in nursing homes, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Because of this, nursing homes become health care leading employers of licensed practical nurses nationwide. If you aspire for a career as LPN, working on a nursing home may be a suitable place to practice your nursing skills.
What is a LPN?
LPN means licensed practical nurse which is synonymous to LVN or Licensed Vocational Nurse. The only difference is with the terms as some states may prefer the word LPN while others call it LVN. LPNs are also known as first-hand providers as they are always present at patient’s bedside.
Duties of LPN in nursing homes
- LPNs in nursing homes are responsible in providing care to their patients through monitoring health status, creating nursing care plan and supervising nursing assistants or nurse’s aides.
- Other general responsibilities of a LPN may include monitoring and recording patient’s vital signs, administering injections, assisting with activities in daily functions which include daily dressing, bathing, conducting laboratory tests, collecting samples, maintaining hospital equipments and providing health education to patient and family members.
- LPNs are also responsible in collecting laboratory specimen. They also record food and fluid intake, measure output from urinary catheters and making sure that medical equipments are working well. LPNs should also make sure that patients are not undergoing any adverse drug reactions to the given treatments and medications.
- LPNs are also assigned in other tasks like administering medications, proper wound care and applying or changing dressings or bandages for their patients. They are also responsible in changing the nasogastric tube that is attached to their patient as well as oxygen supplies.
Conditions of Work
LPNs work may work in various health care institutions like outpatient facilities, hospitals, long term health care facilities, home care and clinics. Tenured LPNs are also tasked in supervising nursing assistants and nurse’s aides.
Educational Requirements
In order to become a licensed practical nurse, all aspirants must accomplish a state approved nursing program or LPN program. You can check for some accredited schools that offer LPN programs as the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service Incorporated. Many LPN programs are widely available at any vocational schools and community colleges. The program typically lasts about a year and courses usually cover on anatomy and physiology, nutrition, drug administration and nursing practices. Most nursing programs also cover clinical practice.
Occupation and Progress
Due to the aging population, more and more people require the need for long term care. Thus job employment for a licensed practical nurse in a nursing home is expected to increase by 14 % on the year 2016.