LPN Jobs | LPN Careers | LPN Employment

The outlook for Licensed Practical Nurse careers is currently very good, but not only this it is actually expected to grow by 14% between now and the year 2016.  This is mainly due to an increase in the elderly population in the United States and because of the  current and growing need for medical care services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPN positions have an average annual salary in the U.S. of $40,110.00.

Is it worth pursing LPN careers?  The answer is that generally speaking the LPN salary that you might expect is certainly above average.  LPN jobs in nursing home facilities  an average annual income of $41,600.00; pursuing LPN careers in general medical and surgery hospitals would provide an expected yearly income of $39,340.00; in offices of physicians you might expect an annual salary of $35,940.00; in home health care services an average annual income $41,410.00 would be normal; and with employment services nurses in LPN careers can expect their yearly average to be $44,860.00.

Top paying states are Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California.

Nurses who choose an LPN position play a vital role in clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, doctor offices, outpatient facilities, or in home health care environments. Most following LPN nursing careers are under the supervision of either a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Physician.

Nurses in LPN careers will maintain patient files and records, collect blood and urine specimens for laboratory testing, administer and bandage wounds, monitor patients on medications, take the patient’s vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc.), and may perform simple procedures like urine analysis. In some states across the U.S., nurses in LPN careers can administer some medicines and start IV (intravenous) push medications.

Other duties which the LPN may perform are preparing and administering injections and enemas, monitoring catheters, give patients alcohol massages and rubs, administer to patient hygiene, give feeding assistance to disabled patients, and they monitor a patient’s food and liquid intake and output. Nurses in LPN careers work more directly with patients than most other medical positions.

Those who wish to take up LPN positions in hospital environments typically have a 40-hour work week, but in these type facilities patients need 24-hours-per-day health care, so the LPN will work some nights, weekends and holidays. They will assist patients in moving from their beds to standing and walking positions.

The LPN which works in home-based environments may help with meal preparations for the patient and undertake simple household cleaning. They also may help educate other family members on basic home health care of their disabled loved one.

To pursue LPN careers, the prospective student must be a high school graduate or have their GED. They must have graduated from an approved accredited practical nursing program, and follow the rules of the State Board of Nursing.

There are many reasons therefore why a career in LPN is well worth pursuing.  The role of the LPN is a good starting point to pursue a career in nursing, the training is good quality and the nurses in LPN careers can expect above average rates of pay.

LPN Job Description

Before embarking on an LPN career it is important to understand the nature of the work you will be required to undertake.  You will need to consider the nature of the environment  in which you will work, the type of work, the commitment the work will place upon you and your family and the physical demands that being a dedicated LPN will place upon you.  These are important considerations for almost any job, but for LPN nursing jobs where there is a mix of physical exertion and clinical skill they become particularly important.

In undertaking your LPN job search you will encounter many different descriptions for LPN job openings.  These might be a little overwhelming as you may be unsure exactly what each job entails.  Hopefully we will address some of these concerns in this post.

An LPN is usually required to work in a number of different health care settings.  These will include primarily hospitals, but increasingly physician surgeries, community medical facilities, clinics, homes for the elderly and nursing homes.

LPN Jobs | Demands Of Shift Working

The role of the LPN in a hospital is usually of particular interest to those interested in pursuing an LPN career.  Hospitals, and to a large degree nursing and elderly care homes tend to work on a shift basis.  The standard working week is most normally five 8 hour shifts, totalling the typical 400 hour working week.

However, the type of care these facilities provide also means that the patients who reside typically need care outside of the normal working day.  They often need care at night, almost always at weekends and most likely holidays too.  The LPN must be aware, and usually willing to work shifts at unusual times.  This  will normally have an impact on family life and therefore this too needs some consideration.

It is easy to underestimate the impact that shiftworking can have on your lifestyle.  If you have never worked shifts before then you should give this some particular thought.  A great deal of you ordinary day to day activities might have to be reorganised.  So don’t overlook this step when undertaking your LPN job search.

LPN Nurse Jobs | Physical Demands

You should be under no doubt.  The role of the nurse is a physical one.  The LPN may often have to stand or walk around for long periods of time without break.  In addition to simply having to spend a lot of time on your feet you will also have to engage in a number of lifting and handling situations involving personal patient care.  This might involve moving patients in their beds, assisting patients into and out of the bath or just helping them move about generally.

This type of physical activity, although you are provided specific training to ensure you know the correct techniques, still presents you with an ever present risk of injury, particularly to your back.

Given the nature of the work, working in the main with patients who are unwell or infirm, often with chemicals which are hazardous to health, there is clearly risk, both from the risk of infection and from some of these chemical products in use.

When considering particular LPN nursing jobs the physical aspects of the role really do need to be considered.   You may think that  you will be able to cope without problem, but try to imagine the role as being five to six days per week, week after week.  Not all LPN jobs have the same physical demands, so when thinking about those LPN job openings you should think hard about exactly what you want the job to be like.

Emotional Demands Of LPN Jobs

Another factor to bear in mind is that the LPN nurse job may often be quite stressful due to heavy workloads and the need to deal with patients who are often confused, agitated, or uncooperative.

Examining next some of the characteristics that an LPN needs to demonstrate.  Clearly, the role of the nurse is to care for patients who need treatment.  To this end an LPN needs a caring, sympathetic nature. You should also be able to deal with stressful situations and therefore have to be able to be unaffected emotionally by the work, especially when dealing with those who are particularly sick or injured.  Remember at times like these the patient needs the LPN more than ever and the last thing they need is someone who is unable to function due to the trauma of the situation.

When looking at the LPN job description you really need to give careful consideration to this aspect of LPN nursing jobs.  Being placed in emotionally demanding positions over and over again can really take its toll on you both emotionally and in the end physically.  It takes a particularly stong character to be able to keep this up for  long periods of time.  If you are in any way concerned about this aspect of the LPN job then when you are undertaking your LPN job search and reviewing those LPN job openings you should try to bear in mind whether this will be a significant aspect of those particular roles.

LPN Skills | Other Factors To Consider

Finally, as you may expect an LPN in LPN nurse jobs need to demonstrate responsibility, be observant, able to communicate effectively especially in stressful situations and be able to make good decisions.  Most of all, the LPN is a member of a health care team, and in line with all team members there are times when they are required to follow orders and work under close supervision.  A good LPN manages this along with the other significant demands of the job.

LPN Job Summary

In summary, LPN jobs can be engaging, interesting and motivating, but can also be physically and emotionally demanding.  Before embarking on your LPN career you should spend some time giving thought to whether you are indeed suited to the particular demands of particular LPN nursing jobs.  In any event, whatever you ultimately decide, good luck.