LPN Skills
A licensed practical nurse is a health-care professional who spends most of his on-the-job time providing direct patient care. He usually works under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician's assistant. If you love helping people and want to pursue a career in nursing but don't want to spend four or more years of your life in college, a career as an LPN may be for you. First, you'll need to understand the skills needed to become an LPN.
Other People Are Reading
-
Basic Patient Care
-
A large portion of LPNs' time is spent providing very basic patient care. This can include helping patients get in and out of bed, take baths and eat. LPNs are typically trained on how to move patients from a gurney onto a bed without hurting themselves in the process, as well as how to properly aid patients who need assistance walking or moving other body parts.
Taking Vitals
-
LPNs are often responsible for taking a number of measurements. This can include taking pulse, blood pressure, height and weight. Some of this is done at intake. Other times, they must take vitals regularly to ensure a patient's vitals are improving or unchanged. These foundational skills are learned, along with basic patient care, during schooling to become an LPN, which usually lasts a year or less.
-
Reporting
-
Because LPNs are so involved in direct patient care, they are relied upon by other medical personnel to notice any changes in patients' conditions. These changes are communicated verbally and also input into patients' charts. For this reason, LPNs must be able to communicate effectively in both spoken and written form. Additionally, they must be able to communicate to the patients and their families about any treatments or measures being taken to improve their conditions.
Treatment
-
LPNs must know how to administer a variety of medications and treatment. Sometimes they may be called upon to give patients medications approved by the overseeing health professional. They may also be asked to give injections and start or change intravenous fluids. Because of these tasks, LPNs must be able to take directions and carry them out accurately to avoid imperiling patients.
Advocacy
-
LPNs also serve as patient advocates. In times when a patient is terminal, LPNs may be called upon to give "comfort care," during which they must provide emotional support to those under their care. If a patient is uncomfortable, the LPN may advocate for increased pain medications. Additionally, LPNs must advocate on behalf of patients to their families and friends, explaining what the patient needs from them and how they can provide for those needs.
-
References
- Photo Credit nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
