A Licensed Practical Nurse helps Registered Nurses and doctors take care of patients professionally. While a Licensed Practical Nurse's role is different from that of a Nurse Aide or a Registered Nurse, it contributes to a medical team's performance. An LPN monitors patients, provides primary patient care, observes patients' progress, and maintains records. They also assist in patients' hygiene and care duties and discuss treatment options with patients as directed by the supervisor.

• Observing and recording patients vitals such as pulse, blood pressure, and respiration

• Issuing correct medications to patients, ensuring proper dosage, and keeping patient's records in a medical chart

• Performing various hygiene and care services such as wound cleaning and dressing, assisting patients in bathing, treating bedsores, and replacing bedpans

• Making routine rounds to monitor patients' progress, observing their comfort levels, submitting a comprehensive report to the supervisor

• Setting up, fitting, and removing patients' feeding tubes, oxygen supplies, and other medical equipment

• Collecting lab testing samples from patients as instructed by the supervisor

• Interacting with patients, responding to their requests, and ensuring they are comfortable

• Performing emergency CPR to critical patients, summoning charts, and assisting the assigned medical team during emergencies

• Providing psychological and emotional support to patients

• Communicating with patients' family and friends whenever necessary

• Successful completion of an accredited Licensed Practical Nurse program

• Knowledge of hospital health, safety, and sanitation standards and procedures

• Ability to work long shifts while performing diverse patient care tasks in a multi-disciplinary environment

• Good understanding of the nursing professions' best practices especially keeping patients' records safe and confidential

• Familiarity with medical terminologies

• Experience in record-keeping, data entry, and MS Office

• Compassionate and able to work under pressure

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills

• Two years experience in an LPN position or a similar role

• CPR certification

• Experience or certification in gerontology

• Highly organized, punctual and attentive

An LPN position demands frequent movement, good hand, body coordination, and the ability to remain on your feet for long periods. LPNs may also lift weights of not more than 50 lbs. 

Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse is rewarding, with various career paths to choose from as you advance deeper into this field. Some of the available career options include Health Care Assistance, Physical Therapy, Clinical Social Worker, and Home Support Worker.

According to the BLS, LPN positions will grow by 9% between 2019 and 2029, a much faster growth rate than usual. This projected growth rate derives from the rising need for healthcare and residential care facilities.