Before Entering the field of medicine as an LPN/LVN it is important to understand the job in its entirety. LPN work is under the direct supervision of an RN or Physician. Their role in the medical field is to assist in the care of patients in critical care environments. An LVN’s first and most important job is being a patient
advocate. LPN work is the cornerstone of the patients care and is indispensable when treating patients. LVNs spend numerous hours making sure patients are cared for, their well being is monitored, and they are kept clean and safe while under the medical staffs supervision.
Often times in medical facilities it is simply not affordable, or practical to have a Physician or Registered Nurse at the patient’s bedside at all times. Patients in need of medical assistance often times need round the clock supervision. These patients often times suffer from dementia, are non-ambulatory, or simply altered or unconscious. LVN work requires maintaining the patients care while these other professionals are performing other tasks, making sure that the patient is cared for in every facet that a human being needs to be cared for.
These responsibilities include:
- Drawing labs, monitoring blood work and samples.
- Placing and monitoring Foley Catheters.
- Monitoring, cleaning and using gastric tubes.
- Monitoring vital signs such as, Respiratory rate and pulse ox, Blood Pressures, Pulse Rate, Blood Glucose Levels, and Level of consciousness.
- Turning the patient regularly in order to prevent bed sores, and ulcers.
- Maintaining the patient’s medication intake, providing all medications that are prescribed, and monitoring their effects.
- Cleaning the patient, bathing the patient, and assisting with any incontinence.
- Cleaning and monitoring medical equipment used in the patients care.
- Maintaining positive relationships with family members, keeping their loved ones informed of what exactly has been going on with the patient, and educating them on what kind of care they are needing and with possibly need in the future.
LVN work is often times done in Critical care nursing facilities, Elderly assisted living facilities, Hospitals and Surgical facilities, Physician offices, and in home private assisting. Find LVN training today.
LPN training requirements and Classes
LPN Training or LVN Education can take from 12 months to 24 months depending on which school a person chooses to go to. The LPN classes generally take approximately one year. The LPN classes required are usually, General Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Emergency Care, Obstetric Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, and Medical 
Surgical Nursing. To complete the LPN education the student will be required to complete the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. This test covers Safe effective care environments, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Pschyosocial Integrity, and Physiological integrity. The testing process can take up to 5 hours and can have 85 – 205 questions. The amount of questions administered depends on how successful the test taker answers each question. The test progressively gets more difficult, if the student answers are correct with increasing difficulty the testing program decides the student is competent in that field, and moves on to the next field of questioning. The test can be retaken as many times as is needed, however each time the board requires the testee to wait 91 days to retake the test.
After successful completion of this board exam, the student will be Licensed as an LPN/LVN.
LVN Salary and LPN Salary
The LPN Salary and LVN salary usually tends to range from $30,000 – $45,000. This salary varies depending on the geographical location of employment, the kind of facility an LVN/LPN chooses to work, and the level of experience the LVN currently has. The Salary can definitely be higher or lower depending on the lpn work associated with your current job, special qualifications he or she may possess and, licenses and certifications obtained throughout their career.
