Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
What is a Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are vital members of the healthcare team, providing essential nursing care and support to patients in various settings. Although the titles differ based on geographic location, with LPN used in most states and LVN primarily in California and Texas, their roles and responsibilities are largely similar. LPNs and LVNs typically complete a state-approved education program, which lasts about a year, and then obtain licensure by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
These nurses assist in patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians, performing tasks such as monitoring vital signs, administering medications, assisting with daily living activities, and providing basic patient education. They play a critical role in healthcare establishments, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and private homes, helping to ensure patients receive compassionate care and support throughout their treatment and recovery processes.
The work of LPNs and LVNs is characterized by a strong emphasis on direct patient care, requiring both technical skills and the ability to communicate effectively with patients and their families. They must be knowledgeable about nursing procedures and protocols, and they often work closely with a diverse patient population, managing various health conditions and promoting overall wellness. Their ability to multitask, prioritize care, and respond to the changing needs of patients makes them an integral part of the healthcare system.
Tasks
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, or respiration.
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients' charts.
- Provide basic patient care or treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Video conferencing software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Categorization or classification software
Tools Used
- Spirometers
- Nebulizers
- Hypodermic needle
- Intravenous or arterial infusion bags or containers
- Patient stabilization or fall prevention devices
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Skills
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Some college, no degree
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Associate's degree
Work Activities
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
- Record patient medical histories.
- Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
- Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
- Administer intravenous medications.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$45670.0 - $77870.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.