LPN Jobs | LPN Careers | LPN Employment

A licensed practical nurse, commonly referred to as an LPN, may have a variety of duties. The duties will depend on the employment setting, level of experience, and the scope of practice within that particular state. Careers within this field are unlimited. LPN jobs are plentiful and pay relatively well. In addition, many of the training programs are cost friendly and may be short term.

The largest expansion of LPN jobs is in the long term care sector. Many long term care and skilled nursing facilities consist of an extensive network of LPN’s. Current trends suggest that geriatric nurses will continue to be in high demand and many more LPN’s will be needed. However, LPN’s are not limited to nursing facilities. Many are employed at hospitals, doctors offices, schools, and daycares. There are also many employment and travel agencies who employ LPN’s.

There are a few common roles that the LPN can expect to perform, regardless of where they are employed. This may include obtaining vital signs, administering medications, and providing basic care and assistance. Educating and counseling patients may also be necessary. All LPN jobs require that the nurse be able to work with other qualified health care professionals.

Earnings for LPN jobs have been increasing over the last couple of years. According to the United States Department of Labor, the median income for an LPN is a little over $31,000.00 annually. On the higher end, some may make up to $50,000.00. This may not reflect income projections in all areas though. The amount an LPN can earn is based on where they are employed, how many years of experience they may have, and the demographic region.

Many LPN’s receive training at vocational schools, community colleges, and/or junior colleges. The average program takes anywhere from 12 to 15 months. After successful completion of an approved program, the student is eligible to take the state licensing exam. Many LPN jobs are available for new graduates. Often, the school has career placement programs for these individuals.

Several LPN’s will opt to continue their education. Many will go on to become registered nurses. An LPN may be able to get accepted into an RN program much more quickly than other students due to their experience. Training to become an RN may be shorter for them as well. For those who decide this is not something that they wish to do, they still have several opportunities available.

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.