- The primary duties of LPNs involve caring for patients and helping medical personnel such as doctors and fellow nurses. Their shifts often include time spent providing bedside assistance to patients, completing basic tasks such as giving patients medication and monitoring their vital signs, and carrying out the requests of colleagues.
They also interact with the family of patients to give them guidance on caring for sick relatives, and some supervise nursing aides. Most LPNs have the ability and flexibility to work in any health care setting, although they can specialize in specific areas like private homes. - Employers prefer to hire LPNs who have completed an approved, formal training program designed for entry-level nurses such as LPNs and LVNs. Training programs usually last one year and require candidates to have a high school diploma before starting study. Available at community colleges, junior colleges, technical schools and vocational schools, most programs provide classroom instruction on and clinical experience in a health care setting under supervision. To graduate, candidates must demonstrate mastery of essential nursing topics -- ranging from anatomy and nutrition to first aid and patient care -- in both the classroom and the setting for the supervised clinical training.
- All aspiring LPNs have to pass the NCLEX-PN, or National Council Licensure Examination, before they can acquire a license to practice. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing administers the computerized examination, which contains questions in four categories: health promotion and maintenance, physiological integrity, psychosocial integrity, and safe and effective care environment. Although the NCLEX-PN is a nationwide requirement, other requirements for licensure vary based on location.
- Approximately 82 percent of LPNs worked full-time in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They tend to work a standard week of 40 hours and spend considerable time either standing or helping patients move around. Consequently, LPNs must possess the physical fitness and stamina to endure such activity without damaging their health. In addition to a caring attitude, other important qualifications for LPNs include the ability to follow instructions, make sound decisions, withstand stress and communicate with patients, even when they are disoriented or uncooperative.
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