Nature of the Work:
Most L.RN.'s provide basic bedside care. They take such vital signs as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration and treat bedsores, administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prepare and give injections, apply dressings, and insert catheters. They also help patients with bathing and personal hygiene, keep them comfortable, and care for their emotional needs. In States where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids. Some LP.N.'s assist in the delivery, care, and feeding of infants. Others help registered nurses with seriously ill or injured patients in intensive care units or postoperative recovery rooms. Some experienced L.RN.'s supervise nursing assistants and aides.
L.RN.'s in nursing homes, in addition to providing routine bedside care, may also help evaluate residents' needs, develop care plans, and supervise nursing aides. In doctors' offices, walk-in clinics, and health maintenance organizations, they also perform clerical duties such as making appointments and keeping records. L.RN.'s who work in private homes may also prepare meals and teach family members simple nursing tasks.
Working Conditions:
Licensed practical nurses in hospitals and nursing homes generally work 40 hours a week, but since patients need round-the-clock care, they may work some nights, weekends and holidays. They often stand for long periods and help patients move in bed, stand, or walk. They also face the stress of working with sick patients and their families.
Hospital-based L.RN.'s face hazards from caustic chemicals, radiation, and infectious diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. L.RN.'s also are subject to back injuries when moving patients and shock from electrical equipment.
L.P.N.'s employed in nursing homes often face heavy workloads due to chronic understaffing. In addition, the people they take care of may be confused, irrational, highly agitated, or given to abrupt mood swings.
In private homes, L.P.N.'s usually work 8 to 12 hours a day and go home at night. Private duty nursing affords a great deal of freedom in setting one's own work hours.
Employment:
About half of all Licensed practical nurses worked in hospitals, and one-fifth worked in nursing homes. The rest worked in a variety of settings, including doctors' offices and clinics, and for temporary help agencies.
Some L.P.N.'s work as private duty nurses. Of these, some are self- employed, in which case they are hired directly by patients or their families. Others are employees of a nurses' registry or temporary help agency which contract with hospitals and nursing homes to provide L.RN.'s on a temporary basis.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
To acquire the license required by all States to become an L.P.N., applicants must complete a State-approved practical nursing program and pass the national written examination. Educational requirements for enrollment in State-approved training programs range from completion of ninth grade to high school graduation, but a high school diploma is usually preferred.
Many State-approved programs provided practical nursing training. Trade, technical, or vocational schools offered more than half of these state-approved programs. Others were in high schools, community and junior colleges, hospitals, and health agencies. Several programs operated by the Armed Forces for military personnel were State-approved.
Practical nursing programs include both classroom study and clinical practice. Classroom instruction covers basic nursing concepts, principles, and related subjects, including anatomy, physiology, medical- surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, and administration of drugs, nutrition, and first aid. Supervised clinical experience is usually in a hospital, but sometimes other settings are included as well.
Most programs last 1 year. There is some sentiment, however, of extending them to 18 or 24 months. The reasons for this are a rapidly expanding knowledge base, the greater complexity of health care technology, and employers' concerns about liability. Any changes in L.P.N, training, however, will most likely come about as part of a slow overall restructuring of education and licensing of both, registered nurses and practical nurses, as well as other health care workers.
L.RN.'s should have a deep regard for people and be emotionally stable because work with the sick and injured can be stressful. As part of a health care team, they must be able to follow orders and work under close supervision.
Job Outlook:
Employment of L.P.N.'s is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations in response to the long-term care needs of a rapidly growing aged population, those 75 years and over, and to the general growth of health care.
Nursing homes will offer the most new jobs for L.RN.'s as the number of aged and disabled persons in need of long-term care is expected to rise rapidly. In addition to caring for the aged, nursing homes may be called on to care for the increasing number of patients who have been released from the hospital before they are fully recovered. Finally, recent State and Federal regulations require nursing homes to employ more L.P.N.'s.
Very rapid growth is also expected in such personal care facilities as board and care homes, old age homes, and group homes for the mentally retarded.
Hospitals will continue to provide intensive, high-technology care that demands the skills of highly trained personnel such as registered nurses. As a result, employment of L.RN.'s in hospitals is expected to experience only average growth. If hospitals continue to face a scarcity of R.N.'s, however, they may employ more L.RN.'s than projected.
Employment is projected to grow very rapidly in physicians' offices, walk-in clinics, and health maintenance organizations, all fast-growing segments of the health care industry, and in the temporary help sector. A growing number of licensed practical nurses will provide home care, while not necessarily working for home health agencies.
As in most other occupations, replacement needs will be the main source of job openings. Job prospects depend on supply as well as demand. Unless the number of people completing L.RN. training increases, job prospects should be excellent.
Related Occupations:
Other jobs, that involve working closely with people while helping them include, emergency medical technician, social service aide, human service worker, and teacher aide.
