What is an LPN? Exploring the Role of a Licensed Practical Nurse

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a healthcare professional who provides important patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. If you’ve always wanted a career helping others, there are few better ways to do that than becoming a nurse. As an LPN, you’re on the frontline of patient care. You monitor vital signs, administer medication, and help patients with daily living activities. And you provide care and comfort whether it’s for a patient living in a nursing home or for someone who just broke a bone.

Understanding the Role of an LPN

As an LPN you ensure patients receive the kind of care they deserve. You listen to their needs, take care of those you can fulfill, and pass on critical information to other members of the healthcare team. Because you often spend more time with patients than their doctors, you often get to know them better and can tell when things are off. And you regularly monitor their condition and pay attention to the data that tell you when your patient needs to see a doctor.

Some of the responsibilities you have as an LPN include:

• Monitor Vital Signs: You regularly check and record patient vitals, such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate, which are crucial for tracking a patient’s condition.
• Administer Medication: Under the direction of doctors and RNs, you administer prescribed medications, including oral, topical, and injectable drugs.
• Assist with Daily Activities: You help patients with routine activities like bathing, dressing, eating, and getting around. This is especially important for patients recovering from surgery or dealing with chronic illnesses.
• Care for Wounds: You clean, dress, and monitor wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.
• Report Changes in Condition: You may be the first healthcare professional to notice changes in your patient’s condition so it’s up to you to report the information to RNs or physicians for further evaluation.
• Document Patient Information: Keeping accurate and up-to-date patient records is a vital part of your job, because these records help make sure that care is consistent, treatments are adhered to, and that no errors are made.

Where Do LPNs Work?

As an LPN, you can look for work in a variety of settings, such as:

• Hospitals: In a hospital, you provide direct care to patients recovering from surgeries or dealing with chronic illnesses and disease.
• Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities: In these settings, you would provide ongoing care to the elderly or disabled.
• Clinics and Outpatient Care: As an LPN in a clinic, you might see the general public or work in a specialty area like pediatrics or family medicine.
• Home Healthcare: You could also care for patients in their own homes, helping with post-surgical recovery or managing chronic conditions.
• Schools and Correctional Facilities: Less traditional healthcare settings, like schools or prisons, provide you with an alternative environment and population.

Are LPNs in Demand?

The demand for LPNs remains steady, particularly as the healthcare needs of the aging population continues to grow. You might find increased demand especially in settings like long-term care facilities, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers.

Is a Career as an LPN Right for You?

If you have a passion for helping others, enjoy hands-on work, and want to work in the thriving healthcare industry, becoming an LPN could be an excellent career path for you. At Lincoln Tech, we offer a comprehensive Practical Nursing Program designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in nursing. With experienced instructors and hands-on clinical training, our program equips you with the skills you need to excel in today’s healthcare environment. Successfully completing the Practical Nursing program is the first of two steps you must take to work as an LPN. Step two requires taking and passing the NCLEX-PN exam and meeting other licensure requirements in your state. Ready to take the first step? Fill out the form right now and get all your questions answered.