LPN Jobs | LPN Careers | LPN Employment

As students who are coming to the end of their Licensed Practical Nursing or LPN program attention will turn to whether there are LPN positions for new graduates in the local job market.  In recent years there has been a trend towards increasing use of LPN as an essential part of the healthcare team, both in hospitals and other medical facilities.  The reason for this is because the availability of Registered Nurses has been limited by numbers graduating and the relative cost of Registered Nurses when compared to LPN’s is higher.  This has meant that the structure of healthcare teams has changed to reflect a more efficient model.  The question is then, has the recent economic issues that have faced the nation had an impact on the employment prospects of the LPN role?  In short, are there enough LPN jobs to go around?

The answer to this question is a qualified yes.  There is little doubt and quite a lot of evidence that demand for the services of LPN’s remains strong.  However, the economic conditions have taken a significant toll on employment in almost every sector of society.  The result is that there are more people looking for roles in the employment sector than perhaps has been the case for a long time.  In fact, there are more Registered Nurses who are looking for jobs than has been recent experience and the laws of supply and demand indicate that if supply exceeds demand then the price of a commodity will fall (not that there is any suggestion that nursing or the role of the LPN is a commodity).  This means that Registered Nurses are more affordable for employers and are also sometimes taking jobs that are really advertised to LPN’s.  The upshot of all this is that in localized pockets there may well appear to be no immediate LPN positions for new graduates.

So, what can LPN graduates do about this?  Well the first answer is, don’t panic.  There is plenty that can be done.  Graduate LPN’s may well consider taking on Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA roles in order to get some experience under their belts.  There is little doubt that an LPN with at least one years experience is more attractive to an employer than someone who has just graduated.  The other alternative is to try out a spell being an LPN travel nurse.  In effect moving to where the LPN positions for new graduates are located.  This does not have to be a permanent situation but it may well in the short term solve the problem of lack of employment and provide a good source of experience for the new graduate.

There is no one particular LPN job description.  The day to day activities of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) are contingent upon the nursing company being served that day. For instance, you might be working for a nursing home and several nursing agencies. Under these circumstances, you would be able to organize your schedule to make it consistent with your preferences – you would never feel bored!

As a rule, an LPN is made responsible for conducting treatments and distributing medications, although duties and obligations are influenced by the kind of facility you work in. Almost all LPN’s pick a particular speciality in nursing that they like and stay with it; for instance, you could be a home care agent employed through a nursing agency or a nursing home’s staff nurse. In a lot of today’s hospitals, careers for LPN’s are not put up; however, there are instances in which an experienced LPN is employed wherever there are postings for a Registered Nurse (RN).

You need to make an effort to keep completely up to date with your medical knowledge by furthering your education and getting additional accreditation. Frequently ask for crossover training when it is applicable, like with the intensive care unit, emergency room and the pediatrics. Sign yourself up for specialized classes in dementia, geriatrics, Alzheimer’s, wound treatment, medication, etc. Enroll yourself in LPN supervisor classes and any extra CPR lessons. A wise choice would be to make the grade on your EMT classes (Emergency Medical Technician), and you should also acquire an ACLS (Advanced Care Life Support) & IV license.

You should make an effort to accomplish all of these so that your future prospects will always remain flexible and limitless. An LPN who works for a nearby nursing home who is responsible for running post-surgical hip replacements and further optional procedures could switch between operating privately in a residence – or, one could possibly work for the MRDD (mentally retarded developmentally disabled) populace. In a nursing facility, an LPN is in charge of keeping the provided medications (as prescribed by a physician) and offering pain medications, including shots and pills, whenever necessary. Additionally, changing bandage dressings and providing tube feeding (via a tube placed in the stomach) is known as a G-Tube, which is a highly restricted, endovenous form of care.

Every state enforces various laws for what someone in an LPN position is able to do and not do. In the state of Ohio, an LPN has more restrictions with IV’s than someone in Florida does. Additionally, LPNs are supposed to carry out physical evaluations. An LPN determines the vital signs, which consists of the pulse, respiration, blood pressure and body temperature. LPN positions are particularly important when they serve as the physician’s eyes and ears, as they are supposed to contact them for any and all differences in any patient’s condition.

In what ways does a Registered Nurse (RN) contrast from a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?

There is definitely a difference between LPN and RN.  The LPN and RN are both described by the Nurse Practice Act. It states that practical nursing is the conduction of specific tasks, including: administration of care to the ill or injured; encouragement of physical wellness; and management of health and prevention of sickness under the authority of an RN or licensed physician. Even as an LPN might possess a great deal of knowledge along with an extensive and successful career, it still does not make that person an RN. An LPN must always be under the direct supervision of a licensed doctor or RN, irrespective of the state they are working in.

Even as RN’s are able to conduct more practices with less management, there are times when their responsibilities could be identical to, and overlap with, an LPN’s duties. Usually, this brings about tension and anger if all the nurses, including RN’s and LPN’s, do not act professionally or dutifully. RN’s and LPN’s contrast in the level of their education, salary and training. At times, the experienced LPN may really know more than a brand new RN, although the RN is constantly in charge.

What are the career stages that bring someone to the point of leading an LPN nursing home care career?

The steps involved in becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse can begin at as early as the age of 18. Following high school graduation, you may get into a variety of careers, including teaching or nursing. On the other hand, you may not be capable of paying for college, or you may believe you are not intelligent enough to be in college. Most likely, you are mistaken on both counts. You might be eligible for college tuition, even when your salary is relatively low.  If you wish to find out more there are plenty of LPN information in the form of LPN books and LPN notes available to discover a bit more detail about the training and career development of a typical role.

There was an individual I once worked with as a local nursing home’s aide, and an RN who worked with her proposed to let her live with her family while attending a practical nursing school simultaneously for one year. Ever since then, she has always felt very appreciative towards that family. She held a job at Kettering Hospital in Dayton, Ohio so that she could pay off bills.

Is there any valuable insight to be provided for people who would like to become a Licensed Practical Nurse?

Utilize this as a path to furthering your LPN education. You could find work as an LPN once you’ve passed state boards after a year of training and make good money; however, if you choose not to continue your education, you will continually have a restricted scope of practice. You will hear a lot of comments like, “You’re not a real nurse”, or jokes like, “LPN stands for ‘let’s play nurse!’”. Despite the fact that LPNs are a vital part of the health care industry, they often go unacknowledged for their experience and influence for their lack of a formal education.

For those who would like to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, how does the job outlook appear?

The outlook for LPN jobs looks very promising! LPN requirements seem to be increasing all the time amongst healthcare facilities.  Teachers once drilled students day in and day out with the idea that, within their lifespan, LPN’s would be switched with RN’s. This was said about forty years ago, but LPN’s still play a major role in today’s medical world. The career summary differs a bit; usually, you will find yourself in charge of bedpan duty and taking call lights (once more), but this is also contingent upon your workplace. Each state possesses a powerful nursing board that could be accessed swiftly through a Google search. LPN’s will always find an LPN job opening.

What aspects come into play with the typical salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse?

LPN’s are paid for their work on an hourly basis, while a lot of RN’s are paid a fixed salary for working as administrators. Circumstances that impact the salary of an LPN comprises of years of experience (a lot of new graduates find it difficult to get a job), additional certifications like ACLS (Advanced Care life Support), IV Therapy, Telemetry (heart monitoring) education, geographics and further education. The salary of an LPN is additionally influenced by whether you work for a private sector as opposed to a government job.

Hopefully, this article has given you a flavor and provided an adequate LPN job description.  The role is varied and fulfilling and there are many opportunities for motivated individuals to make a career in nursing having started out as an LPN.

A Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, must complete an LPN program that typically lasts one full year. The program is fairly inexpensive and does not have stringent admission requirements compared to other college programs. An individual considering this career can begin looking for programs at the community college or local hospital. Even in semi-rural areas the community college provides an LPN program. It is common for LPNs to work at a hospital while pursuing further education for a promotion. An example would be working on an LPN to RN program. This program takes into consideration the courses already completed and saves the LPN time in earning the title RN. With the promotion and graduation to RN the responsibilities become greater, the pay is higher and the burnout rate goes down.

Once an LPN finds a job, he or she will work under the supervision of a physician or Registered Nurse (RN). LPN employment consists of typical hands-on nursing duties. Some of these duties are: taking vitals of new patients, assisting RNs or doctors with patient charts, and ensuring a patient is comfortable during hospital treatment. LPN employment can be found 24 hours a day as many clients require constant care. LPNs also provide shots, draw blood and maintain any medical equipment a patient is using. Duties that LPNs do that create job dissatisfaction consist of bathing clients, changing clothes and assisting clients with routine self-care (i.e. using the bathroom, using a bed pan, or changing soiled linens and clothes).

LPN employment leads to a moderate annual salary of $30,000-$35,000 depending on the location. In some areas of the United States the demand for LPNs is so high that sign on bonuses and higher salaries are offered. One may find that LPN employment is a great stepping stone before seeking further education and license to practice as an RN. Because LPN programs only last one year, it is a great way to explore the healthcare field after graduating high school or when considering a career change. One year of training is not a large commitment and it will allow the individual to determine if LPN employment is a good fit. Turnover is high in the LPN position because of the type of care provided to patients, the number of hours LPNs are needed and the only moderate salary paid. Overall, LPN employment is rewarding and focuses on basic nursing tasks and dealing directly with patients.

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.