Becoming an LPN is a great way to get into the nursing field. However, before you start your journey, it is essential to see who hires nurses so you can make better plans for your future. Numerous healthcare settings rely on the skills and knowledge of LPNs. This article will help you learn more about who hires them, their role, and how to become one so you can start your new career.

What Does a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Do?

As an LPN, you are part of a comprehensive team of medical professionals who provide diverse care to your patients. LPNs often complete common tasks, regardless of the setting.

As an LPN, you may conduct patient assessments, measure their vital signs, and review medical histories. You will observe patients and report your findings to the doctor or RN on duty. It is expected to administer medications, including oral, injectable, topical, and IV medicines. Wound care and monitoring wounds are everyday LPN tasks, too.

You might provide patient education or help a patient’s family understand treatments and conditions. LPNs often help patients with daily activities, including grooming, toileting, bathing, dressing, and mobility. Some administrative duties like answering phones and scheduling appointments are also possible, primarily if you work at a small clinic or office.

Where Are LPNs Most Likely to be Hired?

LPNs are employed in a variety of healthcare settings. Your duties might differ depending on the facility type and staff you work with.

Doctor’s Offices

You will usually report to a registered nurse in a doctor’s office; if the office is small, you may report directly to the doctor. You will manage patient care, including basic health assessments, taking a patient’s vital signs, and helping with examinations. You might also give injections and vaccinations and collect samples for lab tests.

Hospitals

If you work in a hospital, a registered nurse is often your supervisor. You will help with primary patient care, such as feeding, mobility, and personal hygiene. It is common for the LPN to monitor patients and report to the RN if there are any changes. Assisting with clinical procedures, helping with diagnostic tests, and doing documentation are also everyday LPN tasks.

Clinics

As an LPN working in a clinic, you will work alongside doctors and other nurses. You will help prepare patients for examinations, record their medical histories, and take their vital signs. Patient education and assisting with clinical procedures are also things that LPNs often do in a clinic. Sometimes, you might support the office staff by helping with appointment scheduling, updating patient records, and other administrative tasks.

Urgent Care

Those working in urgent care will report directly to more advanced nurses and doctors. You will help with patient triage and take their vital signs when they arrive at the facility. LPNs often help monitor patients, observe and document procedures, and provide support to other healthcare staff as they treat patients.

Assisted Living

An LPN will coordinate with other healthcare professionals to help ensure complete care for the patients. This includes other nurses, doctors, and professionals such as respiratory and physical therapists.

You will perform regular health assessments and take patient’s vital signs. You will also help them with their activities of daily living and administer medications. LPNs may aid with managing catheters, wound care, and other basic medical treatments.

Home Health Agencies

If you choose to work for a home health agency, you will usually have a supervisor to whom you report directly. When you visit your patients, you will conduct assessments and take their vital signs. You may also administer their medications and perform any necessary wound care. Providing education to your patients and their families is also a common task.

How Do You Become an LPN?

The average LPN program takes 1 to 2 years. Once you complete your schooling, you must pass your licensure examination before you can seek employment.

Attend a Vocational College

An LPN program at a vocational school provides the education to prepare you for the licensure examination and work as an LPN. Classroom instruction focuses on nursing theory, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, and pharmacology. You get hands-on training a lab to learn and practice LPN skills, including wound care, patient hygiene, medication administration, collecting laboratory specimens, performing a patient assessment, and getting vital signs.

Part of the program includes completing clinical hours where you work in healthcare facilities alongside staff to gain practical experience. Vocational schools provide you with an externship for more real-world experience working under the supervision of an experienced LPN.

Complete the NCLEX-PN Exam

To become licensed as an LPN, you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam. This standardized exam will thoroughly assess your skills, abilities, and knowledge. The exam focuses on multiple areas of nursing, including health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, promoting a safe and effective care environment, and psychosocial integrity.

Career Services

Gwinnett College offers career services to help you find employment after graduating from the LPN program and passing your licensure examination. We allow you to develop effective job search strategies and hone your interview skills. These services offer networking opportunities and assist you in creating a professional cover letter and resume. You will also get help finding legitimate job listings and schedule one-on-one career counseling sessions to increase your chances of finding the job that best suits your preferences as a new LPN.

Final Thoughts

As an LPN, you have a wealth of opportunities. Exactly where you can work will depend on which types of facilities are operating and utilizing the skills of LPNs. However, once you have your license, numerous doors open, allowing you to decide how to start your journey and enjoy your new career.

Practical Nursing Program

The Practical Nursing program at Gwinnett Institute provides training to prepare you to enter the nursing profession as an LPN. After graduating from the Nursing diploma program and successfully passing the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, you will further your career to become a licensed practical nurse.

Contact us today to learn more about becoming an LPN at Gwinnett Institute.