LPN

The main duties of LPNs are to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for clients under their jurisdiction. They provide care to patients at a very personal level and have direct contact with patients daily.

LPNs perform the following job duties:

• Provide bedside care to patients including personal hygiene maintenance


• Record the patients’ vital signs (including blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate)


• Collect patient’s health information


• Relay information between patients, registered nurses, and physicians


• Give oral medications and injections to patients (in permitted states)


• Test a patient’s blood sugar levels


• Urinary catheter insertion and care


• Wound care and dressing changes


• Ostomy site care and maintenance


• Assist patients with personal hygiene


• Monitor for changes in patients


• Proper charting, documentation, and maintenance of patient’s medical records

In addition to the standard duties of the LPN there are some that are specific to certain job settings. When dealing with ill or injured patients in a hospital, the duties often are:

• Managing IVs


• Ensuring patients and their families understand release instructions


• Supervising CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants)


• Monitoring fluid and food intake and output


• Moving patients safely

LPNs often work with patients in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. They are also common in the home health care field. These jobs may require the nurse to perform additional tasks including:

• Assessing patients’ reactions to medications


• Assessing patients' mental health


• Providing emotional support


• Assisting with daily needs such as bathing and dressing


• Observation of patients' skin for potential bed sores

Medical offices and clinics employ many LPNs. In addition to nursing duties, there are often paperwork responsibilities such as:

• Scheduling appointments


• Keeping medical records current


• Billing patients


• Working with insurance companies


• Writing prescriptions at a physician's request