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What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?

Updated June 25, 2024
7 min read
Quoted Experts
Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.,
Kara Sump MSN, CNE
What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do

Licensed practical nurses are considered leading front liners in the clinic or hospital setting. They assist nurses and doctors in conducting various activities related to sick or injured patients. Licensed practical nurses are primarily expected to provide routine care for patients and assist registered nurses in creating care plans. They maintain and update medical records, prepare patients for medical examinations, help patients dress, bath, or eat, take vital signs, administer and monitor medicine intake, monitor patients and update nurses and doctors on patient status, and assist during medical examinations.

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Licensed practical nurse responsibilities

As a licensed practical nurse, responsibilities vary greatly. They oversee medication administration, ensuring accuracy and adherence to physician orders. They document patient care, including observations, interventions, and outcomes in electronic medical records. Kara Sump, MSN, CNE, Assistant Professor of Nursing at George Fox University, emphasizes the importance of communication, stating, "Communication will never go away, but is moving to a highly virtual format. You need to be able to articulate well in writing and orally." LPNs also play a role in patient education, providing information about medications and treatment plans. They may also participate in patient rehabilitation and education.

Here are examples of responsibilities from real licensed practical nurse resumes:

  • Manage all operational aspects of the organizations open heart program while also serving in the role of APN.
  • Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
  • Provide nursing care for med/surg patients in the transitional phase of recovery.
  • Work up patients for the Dr, administer allergy testing, mix allergens.
  • Perform emergency medical procedures, such as BLS, ACLS, and other condition stabilizing interventions.
  • Drug screens, phlebotomy wind care education of safety practices communications with treatment facilities as indicated/.
  • Record patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records; administering schedule medications.
  • Provide triage, referrals, direct nursing care and medication administration to the physically and emotionally abuse children.
  • Work directly under the supervision of doctors and register nurses providing medical and support services to patients in rehabilitation.
  • Prepare patients for surgery and monitor their recovery including all physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of condition.
  • Provide education to patients and family members regarding medication administration and treatment; within scope of facilities policies and HIPAA guidelines.
  • Monitor for changes in condition and update NP as appropriate.
  • Utilize light board to communicate with non-verbal and dexterity impair patients.
  • Include health assessment and teaching, follow-up, counseling and referrals.
  • Perform total patient care on clients on the med/surg and the surgical units.

Licensed practical nurse skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Licensed Practical Nurses are proficient in Patients, CPR, and Home Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Patience.

We break down the percentage of Licensed Practical Nurses that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Patients, 23%

    Recorded patients' medical history, vital statistics and test results in medical records; administering scheduled medications.

  • CPR, 11%

    Trained in non-violent physical crisis intervention and CPR prior to accepting independent assignment or released from orientation.

  • Home Health, 10%

    Maintain and foster working relationships along with organizing and scheduling all in-services with medical and home health representatives.

  • Medication Administration, 4%

    Reviewed and rewrote the monthly medication administration records resulting in accuracy of prescribed medications and proper routes as per the physicians.

  • Quality Care, 4%

    Developed and maintained quality care systems and standards to include: creating and improving medical protocols/guidelines and following infection control procedures.

  • Vital Signs, 4%

    Document patient information, medications, vital signs and other pertinent information as needed into electronic or paper charting system.

"patients," "cpr," and "home health" are among the most common skills that licensed practical nurses use at work. You can find even more licensed practical nurse responsibilities below, including:

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a licensed practical nurse to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "lpns and lvns must be able to build a rapport to interact with patients and other healthcare providers." Licensed practical nurses often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "merged empathy and strong interpersonal skills to deliver emotional support to families and patients. "

Detail oriented. licensed practical nurse responsibilities often require "detail oriented." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "lpns and lvns need to pay attention to minutiae because they must ensure that patients get the correct care at the right time." This resume example shows what licensed practical nurses do with detail oriented on a typical day: "detailed oriented with strong work ethic, problem-solving, communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills. "

Compassion. Another crucial skill for a licensed practical nurse to carry out their responsibilities is "compassion." A big part of what licensed practical nurses relies on this skill, since "lpns and lvns must be empathetic and caring toward the people they serve." How this skill relates to licensed practical nurse duties can be seen in an example from a licensed practical nurse resume snippet: "provided home health care services with compassion, excellence and reliability. "

Physical stamina. Lastly, "physical stamina" is an important element of what a licensed practical nurse does. Licensed practical nurse responsibilities require this skill because "lpns and lvns should be able to perform physical tasks, such as bending over patients for a long time." This resume example highlights how licensed practical nurse duties rely on this skill: "performed physical assessments, evaluations, and medication administration. "

All licensed practical nurse skills

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Compare different licensed practical nurses

Licensed practical nurse vs. Nurse

Nurses are medical professionals assigned to a specific department in the hospital and provide their trusted department services. Nurses are in charge of taking patients' medical histories, getting vital signs, preparing patients for checkups or procedures, explaining upcoming practices, answering any questions, and communicating any concerns to the assigned doctor. Nurses should ensure that patients follow the medical advice given to them. They also assist patients in completing administrative requirements, such as filling out forms, validating details, and endorsing payments.

The annual salary of nurses is $4,652 higher than the average salary of licensed practical nurses.Even though licensed practical nurses and nurses are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require patients, cpr, and home health in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between licensed practical nurses and nurse. For instance, licensed practical nurse responsibilities require skills such as "resident care," "wound care," "work ethic," and "mental health." Whereas a nurse is skilled in "bls," "acute care," "acls," and "discharge planning." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Nurses tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,263. In contrast, licensed practical nurses make the biggest average salary, $51,702, in the health care industry.On average, nurses reach similar levels of education than licensed practical nurses. Nurses are 4.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Licensed practical nurse vs. Emergency department registered nurse

An emergency registered nurse is first in line for patients who need a response. These nurses are first to respond to emergency cases such as trauma, allergic reactions, and injuries. They assist doctors and other medical staff in emergency medical care. It is their responsibility to always provide high-quality standards for nursing. The skills they should possess include diligence, attention to detail, levelheadedness, and strong communication. They also need to be knowledgeable about emergency care.

Emergency department registered nurse positions earn higher pay than licensed practical nurse roles. They earn a $28,348 higher salary than licensed practical nurses per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Licensed practical nurses and emergency department registered nurses both require similar skills like "patients," "cpr," and "home health" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that licensed practical nurse responsibilities requires skills like "medication administration," "quality care," "resident care," and "infection control." But an emergency department registered nurse might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "acls," "acute care," "life support," and "patient outcomes."

On average, emergency department registered nurses earn a higher salary than licensed practical nurses. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, emergency department registered nurses earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $77,094. Whereas licensed practical nurses have higher pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $51,702.emergency department registered nurses earn higher levels of education than licensed practical nurses in general. They're 5.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Licensed Practical Nurses in the next 3-5 years?

Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University

Telehealth will continue to play an essential role in the delivery of high-quality patient care. As nursing professionals, RNs must be familiar with the delivery of digital health, including issues such as the scope of practice, regulation, delivery platforms, and patient privacy to name a few.

Licensed practical nurse vs. Registered nurse charge nurse

A registered charge nurse is responsible for supervising nurses' workflow in a particular department or area, ensuring every patient gets the proper care that they need. A registered charge nurse has the discretion to direct tasks, arrange schedules, and monitor patients, such as in the aspects of admission and discharge. Furthermore, a registered charge nurse must maintain an active line of communication and coordination among nurses, physicians, and other personnel involved as the conditions in a hospital can be unpredictable.

On average, registered nurses charge nurses earn higher salaries than licensed practical nurses, with a $18,430 difference per year.licensed practical nurses and registered nurses charge nurses both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "patients," "cpr," and "medication administration," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, licensed practical nurses are more likely to have skills like "home health," "quality care," "wound care," and "work ethic." But a registered nurse charge nurse is more likely to have skills like "bls," "acls," "acute care," and "quality patient care."

Registered nurses charge nurses make a very good living in the health care industry with an average annual salary of $68,929. On the other hand, licensed practical nurses are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $51,702.When it comes to education, registered nurses charge nurses tend to earn similar degree levels compared to licensed practical nurses. In fact, they're 2.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Licensed practical nurse vs. Staff nurse

Staff nurses are registered nurses who are usually assigned to work in a care home, a company, or in a clinical setting. They advise the physical assessments of patients, employees, and residents. They also handle the checking of vital signs, providing basic medical procedures, giving first aid, and, if possible, providing over the counter medication. Staff nurses provide medical attention to the people in their place of assignment. They help pave the path to their patients' full recovery. Staff nurses are expected to be patient and have good interpersonal skills.

Staff nurses typically earn higher pay than licensed practical nurses. On average, staff nurses earn a $15,430 higher salary per year.While their salaries may vary, licensed practical nurses and staff nurses both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "patients," "cpr," and "medication administration. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "home health," "resident care," "compassion," and "wound care" are skills that commonly show up on licensed practical nurse resumes. On the other hand, staff nurses use skills like bls, acls, acute care, and patient safety on their resumes.The health care industry tends to pay the highest salaries for staff nurses, with average annual pay of $58,739. Comparatively, the highest licensed practical nurse annual salary comes from the health care industry.In general, staff nurses hold similar degree levels compared to licensed practical nurses. Staff nurses are 3.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of licensed practical nurse

Updated June 25, 2024

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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