Practical Nurse License: A Typical Day in the Life of an LPN
We all know that a licensed practical nurse spends most of her time in the hospital or some health care facility providing care to the majority of patients. But do we really know what happens in a typical day for a licensed practical nurse? Yes, we may see them going in and out of patient rooms checking vital signs, observing patients, dressing wounds, administering medication, head bowed all the time in some patient history taking notes. This may be due to the fact that an LPN works under the supervision of a registered nurse or treating physician. This may be the reason why every LPN we see whenever we visit a hospital is always in a rush.
Do you ever take the time to sit back and relax? Are they allowed so much luxury to take a break or have a cup of coffee? Perhaps a glance at a typical day for a licensed practical nurse would shed some light.
A licensed practical nurse is responsible for observing patients, recording their reactions in response to medications or treatments, and reporting them to a registered nurse on duty, if not, the treating physician. LPNs need a lot of intellect, tact, care, and good judgment to get the job done. These types of skills are very necessary, in addition to physical resistance, in this line of work. The most important thing would be to maintain flexibility at all times.
A normal nursing shift typically lasts eight hours, whether you work in the morning, afternoon, or night. Sometimes due to a heavy workload, a nurse can stretch out for up to 12 hours, sometimes overnight. The belief that a licensed practical nurse shift can be much more relaxing at night because patients will be asleep is a big mistake. Some patients become restless at night after resting for a full day and can become demanding during the nursing shift. Let’s find out how an LPN starts her work day.
Start of turn
An LPN begins his shift by speaking to the nurse who saw patients during the previous shift. Through this, an LPN learns what to expect for the next eight hours, the patient’s diagnosis, medications, and what special care would be required for each patient. An LPN would also need to review a doctor’s report so that each patient is updated on the patient’s current condition. Treatment sheets are prepared for each patient to record the patient’s history and other important information obtained from the table. It will take time to see the lab tests that have been performed and will be run to avoid drifting off topic in the event of something unexpected happening.
Meeting with patients
Each licensed practical nurse is assigned a balancing load regarding which patient has additional needs and which patient has the least need for help. Part of this patient care procedure would include taking samples for laboratory tests, catheter monitoring, wound dressing, and assisting with the patient’s daily needs such as feeding, bathing, and changing clothes.
After work
A licensed practical nurse may be required to perform post-shift administrative work, such as filling out health care and insurance forms for patients. LPNs will also prepare their reports at the end of each shift for use by the next nurse on duty.