Practical nursing is a career choice that many people make these days. Choosing to become a licensed practical nurse is the ideal option for those who like to care for others and who would love to become a part of the medical field. There is plenty of room for advancement in the field of practical nursing so it is no surprise that a lot of people will start off their career here. It will usually take about a year of study to become a licensed practical nurse but this is usually the first step that many take on their career in practical nursing. It is not only hospitals where practical nursing is required.
Practical Nursing – Where Do We Need Practical Nurses?
There are many duties that the licensed practical nurse will have to do in his or her job. Their main role of the LPN is to take care of patients and to provide patient care. Whether the patient is ill, injured or disabled, the practical nurse will be there to help. Licensed practical nurses working in hospitals will have a varied role but one thing they must have in abundance is patience. They also need to be compassionate and hard working. Practical nurses are there to provide relief to doctors, surgeons, consultants, and registered nurses. The following are some of the duties of those employed in practical nursing:
- Taking and recording vital signs in order to help the doctor diagnose the disease or condition.
- Gathering as much information as possible on the patient to help with treatment.
- Preparing and delivering injections as per instructions from the physician or registered nurse on duty.
- Assisting the patients with personal hygiene.
- Collecting samples from patients for lab testing.
- Taking care of newborn such as feeding them and bathing them.
- Teaching patients how to take care of themselves when they get home as well as directing family members on after hospital care.
- Providing help to nursing assistants and sometimes supervising them.
Licensed practical nurses are paid a good salary but this is because they work hard and dedicate a lot of time to looking after patients. If you are planning on taking a career in practical nursing then you will be paid well but you need to know that you are going to have to work very hard for your money. This is a tiring job with long hours but most licensed practical nurses will tell you how rewarding their job is.
Practical Nursing – Salary?
The average annual salary for LPNs is around $40,000 but this varies from organization to organization and will depend on your experience. Obviously, the more experience you have, the more you will be paid. You can expect your salary to rise every year too which is good news. The great thing about practical nursing is the fact that there are so many opportunities for those who decide to work in this field. So if you are thinking of choosing a career in practical nursing, then you will know that as well as job satisfaction, you are going to be getting well paid for what you do.
