The healthcare industry continues to grow at an increasing pace creating an ongoing need for each level of qualified staff enabling safe care to be provided. One of the quickest and least stressful ways to enter healthcare is a practical nursing certificate, allowing a person to enter health care without the time and financial commitment of a registered nursing (RN) program. Practical nursing programs are usually 12-18 months and provide a student with the clinical and theoretical knowledge required to be either a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)” but depends on what state they reside in. Practical Nurses are important not only to the day to day operations of a healthcare practice, but are essential for positive patient care outcomes.When the practical nursing certificate is awarded, and when the NCLEX-PN licensing exam is passed, a new graduates credentials can be used to start searching for employment opportunities in a hospital, clinic, long term care, a home health or school setting.
Become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)
For completing the Practical Nursing program, the common and most direct outcome is to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or in some states, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). LPNs provide care in healthcare settings, under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Physicians. LPNs provide certain components of nursing care, including: Monitoring a patient’s health status by taking vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature). Administering medications and injections that are prescribed. Assisting patients with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, eating). Basic care of wounds and putting on dressings. Informing other nursing teams members of changes in a patient’s status. LPNs help to maintain quality of care; LPNs assist with both physical supportive actions and emotional supportive actions throughout the continuum of care process.
Work in a variety of healthcare settings
Home health nurse
As the need for home-based care continues to increase, many LPNs choose to work as home health nurses. In this role, practical nurses would make visits to patients’ homes to provide care including dressing of wounds, giving medications, or overseeing progress in health. Home health nurses are independent workers and must be capable of making sound decisions and be motivated. A home health nurse often has a more flexible schedule, and the opportunity to incorporate long relationships with patients, similar to chronic conditions or patients recovering from surgery.
Rehabilitation centers
Rehabilitation Centers provide LPNs a chance to work with patients recovering from serious sickness, injuries, or disorders. When the LPN is a rehabilitation nurse, they help the client become independent again so that they may return to their daily life. Rehabilitative LPNs often assist in physical therapy (PT) exercises, pain management, medication administration and education. Rehabilitative care is a great fit for LPNs who want to play an active role in a patient’s healing process.
Hospice care
Hospice is another area where practical nurses can have a big impact. LPNs in hospice care may manage pain, administer medications, provide emotional support to families and provide comfort to the patient during their final days. Working as an LPN in hospice care requires emotional strength, compassion, communication skills, but it can be very rewarding for many practical nurses.
Pediatric LPN
Become a pediatric LPN if you enjoy working with children. Pediatric practical nurses generally work in clinics, hospitals, or a pediatrician’s office providing care to infants, children and adolescents. You may provide vaccinations, growth checks, and education to parents. This role requires gentleness, patience, and a child-friendly approach. Additional pediatric credentials and certifications could improve job opportunities.
Specialize in a niche area of care
LPNs can provide care for specialization in the following areas:
- Pediatrics – working with young patients in pediatric clinics, pediatric hospitals, or long-term care facilities.
- Geriatrics – working with older patients with age related health conditions.
- Hospice and palliative care – providing comfort and care for patients who are nearing the end of life, while ensuring comfort and quality of life.
- Maternity and obstetrics – involving working with women during the prenatal period, the labor and delivery phase, and immediately after the woman delivers her baby.
- Surgical nursing – preparing patients and assisting the physician through surgical procedures.
These specialties allow LPNs to work in the field of their choosing, but these specialties may also provide access to higher paying positions and leadership positions in the area of their choosing.
Opportunities for leadership and mentoring
In a practice setting, senior LPNs typically assume leadership roles. As an example, they may function as Charge Nurses, directing a group of nursing assistants and LPNs. They may take on new nurses as their mentees, training them and advising them during their transition into practice. This is how LPNs can impact the work culture of their practice environment and quality of patient care.