In the United States and some Canadian provinces, LPN (Licensed practical nurse) is a term used for nurses caring for people who are injured, sick, convalescent or disabled. This type of nurse is under the direction of physicians and registered nurses.
Wanting to become a licensed practical nurse is no small thing. This is just a proof that you are willing to take a huge responsibility in order for you to do something worthwhile. Being a licensed practical nurse will allow you to make a difference. As the job title suggests, this is not an easy job. It would require you to have dedication and discipline in order for you to perform at your best.
The LPN programs are specifically designed for those individuals having the passion to care for those who are sick, convalescent, injured, needing rehabilitation, treatment and illness prevention. These programs are made to prepare persons having this kind of passion to face the challenges he/she could face in the world of health care, as well as enjoy a rewarding career.
LPN Schools
When you have decided that you want to become a Licensed practical nurse, you should be able to familiarize yourself with the requirements you would need to become one. Typically, the program would only take you a year or two to finish. However, this would depend on the institution offering the course.
You will not find it hard to find an institution to get training because most community colleges, adult schools and career centers offer it. Their program would usually require you to complete hours on theory of Basic Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Geriatrics, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Obstetrics combined with clinical practice in different healthcare settings.
Aside from this, an LPN is required to take units for continuing education throughout their practice so they may be able to further their knowledge on health care trends so they can serve all their patients effectively.
LPN job description
A large portion of direct patient care is provided by LPNs at present. Like registered nurses, they are also assisted by nurses aides called CNAs and some other assistants. Normally, the duties of a Licensed practical nurse include taking vital signs from patients, watching catheters, preparing and administering injections and enemas. Moreover, they also apply dressings and bandages to injured patients, treat bedsores, provide alcohol massage or rubs, and monitor patients and all reporting changes.
As the assistant of registered nurses and physicians, they would also collect samples for testing, feed patients, provide personal hygiene and monitor the food and liquid input/output of their patients. Being a Licensed practical nurse means that you could work in a variety of places, like long term care facilities, hospitals, outpatient facilities, home care and clinics. LPNs who are tenured could even supervise other assistants and nursing aides. They could also have different responsibilities depending on the health care setting they are in.
LPN Salary
The salary would depend on location, years of experience and his/her employer. If you are in the United States, the average starting hourly rate ranges from $16 – $29. If he/she works for 40 hours a week, he/she could make $30,720 – $55,680 a year.
The LPN (Licensed practical nurse) in Canada, on the other hand, could start at an average hourly rate of C$18 – C$28 and could have an annual salary of C$34,560 C$53,760 a year. As of 2008, there are more than 753,600 LPN jobs recorded by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. 25 percent of them work at hospitals, 28 percent in nursing facilities and 12 percent are in doctors offices.