A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is a nurse that provides basic patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs), doctors, and other providers. LPNs work closely with RNs and physicians to provide patients with basic nursing care, and their duties can vary slightly depending on the healthcare setting and the state in which they work. Some of the most common places of work for LPNs include nursing homes, home healthcare, hospitals, physicians’ offices, military, and correctional facilities. LPNs are responsible for a range of hands-on patient care and administrative tasks, including:
- Monitoring patients
- Taking patient vital signs and histories
- Performing routine assessments, such as checking blood pressure
- Changing bandages
- Inserting IVs or catheters
- Listening to patients’ concerns and reporting back to RNs and doctors
- Ensuring patients are comfortable
- Helping patients bathe or dress
LPNs cannot diagnose any medical condition or prescribe any medication, but they can handle most of the routine tasks of day-to-day medical care. LPNs are qualified to handle many tasks that are necessary to keep patients comfortable while at the hospital or in other types of medical settings. LPNs are also responsible for maintaining a clear line of communication between a patient, their family, and their caregivers.
