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This article is on how to become an LPN, which is short for licensed practical nurse. LPNs work along with the RNs, CNAs, and doctors in various hospital settings. They perform standard patient nursing care under the supervision of RNs.
In order to become a LPN, you must first complete a year program at a vocational nursing school. Once you have completed your course work, you can then take a state board test know as the NCLEX-PN. Then when you pass your state boards you receive the title of LPN.
This program is great for individuals who do not have time to go to school for a long period time, as with the RN degree. The duties of a LPN vary from what the nurse’s state laws allows them to do. For instances, in one state a LPN might be able to start IVs but in another it might be prohibited unless the LPN has received further training. So, the duties listed below can vary and also some of the duties below can be performed by the CNAs.
Some duties include: medication administration, taking vital signs, monitoring of catheters, insertion of some catheters, applying bandages and dressings, treating and monitoring for bedsores, performing patient hygiene, sample collection, monitoring patient input and output…etc.
LPNs can also further their education and become RNs. The advantage of this is that when the LPN re-enters nursing school they will be more familiar with what is being taught to them than students who are just entering the field of nursing with no prior degree.
When I first started RN nursing school, I came straight out of high school into the field of nursing, and the LPNs who I met that were getting their RN degree seemed to excel in the course work because they were already familiar with it.
-Sarah =0)
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This post was written by Sarah on June 21, 2008
