Job Profile Of A Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses are the ones who have maximum exposure to patients in the nursing fraternity. They are the ones who are responsible for the direct care of patients. They take directions directly from the physician, Registered Nurses, and nurse managers. They work in various situations such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, outpatient facilities, and clinics as well as home care.
Licensed practical nurses jobs in the long term, qualify them to become supervisors of nursing aides and other staff members of the hospital.
Educational Qualifications required
A student, who aspires to become a licensed practical nurse, must plan in advance right from high school. The student must have the following subjects during high school, namely Biology, Algebra, Chemistry, Psychology, first aid, emergency medical technology, physical education, food and nutrition, health occupations/medical profession, child growth and development, computer skills, Geometry, English, and History. The aspirant must possess a graduate level nursing degree that is accredited by a national accrediting body. Further, the person must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination so that he/she can have a license to practice nursing. Apart from these educational qualifications, a licensed practical nurse should also demonstrate great personal skills. These include intelligence, tact, vigilance, and sound judgment. The functions of a Licensed Practical Nurse are: * To give injections and medicines to patients. * To observe patients and note the vital signs and symptoms during treatment of a particular patient such as temperature, respiration, blood pressure, and pulse. * To perform basic diagnostic tests as also to dress the wounds of patients. * To record the fluid intake and output parameters of patients. * To assist the patient in daily activities such as to bathe, to eat, to dress, to groom, to exercise, etc. * To watch the reactions of patients to medications and to prescribed treatment. Working conditions Most of the licensed practical nurse jobs require that the person work for 40 hours a week. But as the health of a patient is quite unpredictable, they are also required to work sometimes on weekends, holidays, and also till quite late in the night. Health care facilities, in which a licensed practical nurse works, are hospitals, dental offices, nursing homes, private homes, mental health institutions, public health departments, and community health clinics. Future prospects in this type of nursing job Future prospects in licensed practical nurse jobs are quite bright. Studies have revealed that a growth of 10 to 20 percent up to the year 2010 in this sector is expected. Even nursing schools have attested to the fact that they are churning out more Licensed Practical Nurses than in the past. Moreover, there would be a demand for new employees, as a number of employees will retire and also the elderly population will require medical attention from trained nurses. Thus, the demand for trained nurses will never die.
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