Practical Nursing

LPNs working in hospice and palliative care assist registered nurses and physicians to provide end-of-life care to patients, either in their homes or at a hospital. Under the direction of a registered nurse, LPNs provide a range of skilled nursing care duties. They may administer medication, maintain patient records, educate and support the patient and family members, conduct patient assessments, monitor vital signs, and collaborate with the caregiving team on an appropriate plan of care.

In the emergency room, LPNs assume an extensive list of responsibilities under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. For instance, they may assist in the admission and discharge processes, observe and report on patient conditions, conduct patient assessments, and administer prescribed medications and treatment. In some cases, certified LPNs may also manage intravenous therapies, starting and discontinuing treatment accordingly. Accurate documentation of treatment is a major responsibility to ensure that patient care is coordinated and performed correctly.

Labor and delivery LPNs work as part of an interdisciplinary team of healthcare providers who manage not only the labor and delivery process itself, but also the prenatal and postpartum care of mothers and their children. Labor and delivery is a highly regulated field of nursing, and LPNs are limited in their scope of nursing practice. Some hospitals may only allow LPNs to monitor the newborn nursery, while others may expand their duties to assist with admission, delivery preparation, and recovery.

Working under the supervision of a registered nurse or licensed physician, practical nurses provide services to patients in their homes. Those services include standard bedside care such as monitoring vital signs or taking blood pressure readings, as well as more intensive tasks such as giving injections or dressing wounds. They may also help patients walk or move around, and assist them with personal hygiene. In these positions, LPNs may also supervise the work of related professionals, including nursing assistants and home health aides.

In managed care, the role of an LPN shifts away from hands-on care to one of administrative support. Working in managed care, LPNs serve as patient advocates, helping to administer health benefits, implement wellness programs, and assist in care coordination. They may work in rehabilitation centers, manage patient intake in nursing homes, or serve as a transition coordinator at a hospital, helping patients move into long-term care facilities.

One of the fastest growing specialties in healthcare, ambulatory care provides patient services outside of a hospital. This broad field of practice offers opportunities in diverse settings, such as physicians’ offices, rehabilitation centers, and pain management clinics. Responsibilities of LPNs in these positions vary, but may include providing health education to patients, acting as case managers, scheduling appointments, and assisting with medical procedures.

In mental health care, LPNs work on multidisciplinary teams to plan, coordinate, and provide services and treatments to patients dealing with mental, emotional and behavioral issues. The responsibilities of a psychiatric LPN span both administrative and patient care – they may assist in developing treatment plans, help provide psychological evaluations on patients, coordinate medical interventions with psychiatrists, and manage insurance billing.