How Does an LVN Spend a Work Day?
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General Overview
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A licensed vocational nurse is a health care professional who cares for the sick and injured in a variety of settings. Commonly abbreviated as LVN, they are licensed by the state to provide routine care to patients in hospitals, home health care centers, doctor's offices, personal homes and convalescent homes. In fact, LVNs provide much of the same service as registered nurses, but on a slightly smaller scale. However, they must be supervised by physicians and higher level nurses such as RNs and nurse practitioners. An LVN is usually trained for about two years in anatomy, physiology and basic biology.
Typical Work Day
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On any given day, an LVN can be expected to handle a number of tasks including taking temperatures, measuring blood pressure, cleaning up after patients, bathing patients, preparing rooms for new patients and attending to patients' various needs. An LVN also assists the registered nurses and physicians with daily tasks, helps to maintain patient charts and keeps a close eye on the patients' medications. An LVN's tasks must always be supervised by someone with higher authority, especially because an LVN does not have the education and experience to deal with more difficult cases such as terminal illnesses and third-degree burns.
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The Future of an LVN
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The demand for LVNs is becoming less and less because of the need for supervision. Many hospitals or doctor's offices that hire LVNs also need to hire an RN to supervise, which proves to be very costly. Over the years, the need for LVNs will eventually be phased out. Many LVNs continue their education in the hopes of becoming an RN and increasing their chances for hire in the health care industry.
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