What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Do?
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are healthcare professionals who provide basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. Licensed practical nurses work in a variety of healthcare environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and private homes.
LPNs monitor vital signs, administer medications, change wound dressings, and assist with personal hygiene and grooming. In addition, they can assist doctors and nurses with medical procedures, provide patient education, and communicate with patients and their families.
LPNs are required to complete a state-approved nursing program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). A licensed practical nurse may also decide to further their education and training to become a registered nurse.
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National Average Salary
Licensed practical nurse salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Licensed practical nurse is:
$52,350
Licensed practical nurse Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a licensed practical nurse. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1
The licensed practical nurse (LPN) is responsible for providing nursing care to patients in a variety of healthcare settings under the direction of a registered nurse or doctor. Duties may include taking vital signs, recording patient symptoms, administering medications and treatments, and assisting with medical procedures. We are looking for someone with a caring personality, strong work ethic, and commitment to providing quality care to our patients. The licensed practical nurse must have a diploma from an accredited nursing program, and be licensed in the state of employment. You should also take accurate temperatures, pulse, respiration, height, and weight measurements, respond to call lights promptly, change bed linens and perform various housekeeping duties, and perform treatments authorized by the doctor or RN under their direction.
Typical duties and responsibilities
- Take patients’ vital signs and monitor their health
- Provide basic care, such as changing bandages
- Help patients bathe and get dressed
- Discuss treatment with patients
- Consult with doctors and other nurses
- Update patients’ health records
Education and experience
Licensed practical nurses need to earn a high school diploma or equivalent. They also must complete an approved educational program at a technical school or community college, which usually takes about a year. LPNs also need to pass an exam and be licensed.
Required skills and qualifications
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills for dealing with patients, doctors and staff
- Discretion and the ability to handle confidential information
- Ability to multitask and prioritize workload
- Physical stamina and emotional stability
- Compassion and a calm, caring demeanor
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Keen attention to detail
Preferred qualifications
- Must have strong observation skills
- Be able to work independently or with a team of healthcare professionals
- Be confident in their abilities to recognize patient needs and respond quickly
Example 2
Education, experience, and licensure requirements
- Attended an accredited LPN program
- Currently licensed/registered in applicable State. Must maintain an active Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) license in good standing throughout employment.
- Prior health care experience preferred
Specific job requirements
- Proficient computer skills, including Excel and/or other staff scheduling programs
- Advanced knowledge in field of practice
- Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
- Knowledgeable of practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations, and guidelines governing functions in the post acute care facility
- Implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of the department
- Perform proficiently in all competency areas including but not limited to: patient rights, safety, and sanitation
- Maintains professional working relationships with all associates, vendors, etc.
- Maintains confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information
- Understand and follow company policies including harassment and compliance procedures
- Displays integrity and professionalism by adhering to Life Care’s Code of Conduct and completes mandatory Code of Conduct and other appropriate compliance training
Duties
- Schedule facility staff at levels determined by DON/ED
- Prepare and maintain records of all shift schedules and communicate clearly to staff
- Understand State requirements and forecasting
- Perform functions of a staff nurse as required
- Exhibit excellent customer service and a positive attitude towards patients
- Assist in the evacuation of patients
- Demonstrate dependable, regular attendance
- Concentrate and use reasoning skills and good judgment
- Communicate and function productively on an interdisciplinary team
- Sit, stand, bend, lift, push, pull, stoop, walk, reach, and move intermittently during working hours
- Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
Example 3
How you’ll contribute
- Triage OB/GYN patients via phone and call patients with test results
- Prepare patients for examination and assists physician during treatment/procedures, examinations, and testing of patients
- Record patients’ medical history, health maintenance, and chief complaint
- Measure, record, and document vital signs
- Where applicable, perform phlebotomy, injections, and other specimen collection per established policies and procedures as directed by the provider
- Prepare and administer medications as directed by a provider
- Authorize drug refills as directed
- Educate patients by providing information and instructions as directed by the provider
- Maintains safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following, and enforcing standards and procedures; complying with legal regulations
- Sterilize medical instruments per established standards and procedures
Who you are
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Minimum of one year nursing experience in a clinic environment
- Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing
- Valid Florida LPN license and BLS/CPR certification
- Ability to work in a stressful environment in deadline-oriented environment
- Ability to communicate with coworkers, provider, and patients in an effective manner
- Ability to use a computer and enter data in electronic medical record system
- Ability to maintain LPN license by successfully completing 24 hours of continuing education hours every two years
Example 4
Education, experience, and licensure requirements
- Attended an accredited LPN program
- Currently licensed/registered in applicable State. Must maintain an active Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) license in good standing throughout employment
- Prior office experience preferred
- Prior health care experience preferred
Specific job requirements
- Proficient in Point Click Care
- Basic computer skills
- Advanced knowledge in field of practice
- Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action
- Knowledgeable of practices and procedures as well as the laws, regulations, and guidelines governing functions in the post acute care facility
- Implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of the department
- Perform proficiently in all competency areas including but not limited to: patient rights, safety, and sanitation
- Maintains professional working relationships with all associates, vendors, etc.
- Maintains confidentiality of all proprietary and/or confidential information
- Understand and follow company policies including harassment and compliance procedures
- Displays integrity and professionalism by adhering to Life Care’s Code of Conduct and completes mandatory Code of Conduct and other appropriate compliance training
Essential functions
- Communicate with physician and accurately receive and transcribe orders
- File all medical information timely and accurately
- File appropriate patient identification data on designed medical records, wristbands, ID cards, etc., as required
- Schedule appointments for services independently
- Manage telephone calls courteously and efficiently
- Perform functions of a staff nurse as required
- Exhibit excellent customer service and a positive attitude towards patients
- Assist in the evacuation of patients
- Demonstrate dependable, regular attendance
- Concentrate and use reasoning skills and good judgment
- Communicate and function productively on an interdisciplinary team
- Sit, stand, bend, lift, push, pull, stoop, walk, reach, and move intermittently during working hours
- Read, write, speak, and understand the English language
Candidate Certifications to Look For
- Intravenous (IV) Therapy Certification. Whether candidates are new graduates, practicing nurses looking to learn new skills, or longing to specialize in vascular access, IV Therapy Certification from the Infusion Institute can help further their career.
- NAPNES Certification in Pharmacology. For more than 30 years NAPNES Certification in Pharmacology has allowed LP/VNs to measure a candidate’s knowledge against a national test and offers a national, post-licensure credential that many employers require.
Sample Interview Questions
- How did you get started as a nurse and why did you want to become an LPN?
- How many years of experience do you have working in a healthcare setting, and what types of patients have you worked with?
- How do you ensure that patients feel comfortable and supported in your care?
- How do you prioritize your tasks and responsibilities as an LPN, and how do you handle your workload?
- How do you ensure accuracy and safety when administering medication and monitoring vital signs?
- Do you use any strategies to ensure that families are informed and involved in the care of their loved ones?
- How did you resolve a challenging situation that you encountered as an LPN?
- What resources do you use to keep up with new medical treatments, procedures, and technology?
- When it comes to ensuring coordinated and effective patient care, what do you do to make sure that RNs, physicians, and other LPNs are involved?
- What are your priorities in your work as an LPN with regards to patient safety and maintaining confidentiality and ethical standards?
