What Is an LPN?

The healthcare industry is a significant part of the US economy, encompassing a diverse range of roles and job types. When it comes to the industry as a whole, we often think of physicians, nurses, and specialists as the primary healthcare providers available. However, each of these practices can be broken down further. In the nursing world, one of the key roles in many medical settings is an LPN.

LPN stands for licensed practical nurse. As of 2023, there are 657,800 LPNs in the US, and the job outlook is predicted to increase by 3% by 2033. LPNs are a key part of the overall healthcare system and contribute significantly to patient care.

In this blog post, we will explore the role of the LPN in general, including key duties, responsibilities, and specific job role details. We will also discuss the required training to enter the profession and provide guidance on how to get started with an LPN program at Eastern Idaho College in Idaho Falls. Read on to learn more.

Roles of an LPN

LPNs work alongside registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to provide patient care and implement care plans. They carry out a very hands-on role and work closely with patients and their families in a variety of different medical settings. If you’re considering becoming an LPN, it’s important to understand the key duties you’ll be doing. These include:

• Monitoring vital signs: One of their primary roles is to record and monitor a patient’s vital signs, including temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.

• Administering medications: LPNs are also responsible for administering medications under the direction of RNs or physicians. 

• Assisting with daily tasks: In various medical facilities, LPNs assist with essential daily tasks, including personal care and meal preparation.

• Providing wound care: They also attend to patients’ wounds, providing care such as cleaning and dressing them.

• Supervising CNAs: LPNs may also be responsible for overseeing certified nursing assistants (CNAs).

As you can see, an LPN performs a wide range of vital patient care. This role often requires individuals to be patient and compassionate, possess good communication skills, be able to perform under pressure, and have the necessary training to carry out their duties effectively.

Differences between LPNs and RNs

When you’re looking into healthcare training, it’s important to choose the right course that will be suited to your skills, abilities, and goals. To help you understand if an LPN program will be right for you, we’re now going to take a look at the key differences between LPNs and RNs.

Firstly, consider the training differences between an LPN and an RN. When you undertake an LPN program, you will be able to get licensed in as little as 2-3 semesters with the LPN program offered through the College of Eastern Idaho. However, RN training can take between two and four years, depending on whether you pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN).

There are also differences in the responsibilities that LPNs and RNs have. LPNs focus on providing core patient care, including administering medication under supervision, performing personal care tasks, and ensuring patients are comfortable. RNs, however, focus more on creating and implementing treatment plans for patients, providing more complex care, and supervising both LPNs and CNAs.

Finally, there are also differences in compensation. As an LPN, the expected salary range is $39k - $58k compared to $60k - $98k for an RN.

LPNs at Work

When considering LPN training, it’s also good to think about the practicalities of the work you will do. Alongside the tasks you’ll be doing daily, you might like to consider the different healthcare settings that you could be working in. Some of the settings and the roles you may carry out include:

• Hospitals: LPNs can work in various hospital departments, providing basic patient care duties under the supervision of RNs.

• Clinics: They can also be situated in a range of different clinics and doctors’ offices, from outpatient clinics to specialist centres, carrying out their daily duties.

• Assisted living facilities: Additionally, LPNs play a crucial role in assisted living facilities, providing residents with the daily care they require.

• Schools: Some LPNs also operate in school settings. It is often more common for RNs to provide nursing services in schools, but LPNs do so in some states.

• At-home health services: LPNs can also provide in-home care services to patients who require it.

• Rehabilitation centers: Some LPNs work in rehabilitation centers to provide care to patients recovering from injury or illness.

Becoming an LPN

To get started as an LPN, you must first undertake an LPN program in order to become accredited. When you have your certification, you will then need to pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses), after which you can apply for a license to practice as an LPN through your state department.

The Idaho Healthcare Institute can help you get started with your LPN program journey. We are an educational partner who connects students to training and scholarship support.

Find LPN Learning Opportunities Near You

When you’ve decided that an LPN program is the right training course for you, your next port of call is to find the right educational provider. At the Idaho Healthcare Institute, we’re here to help connect you to the LPN program at the College of Eastern Idaho. We can support you throughout your journey, from getting started with your course to applying for a scholarship.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide essential care to patients in various healthcare settings. Their roles are crucial in maintaining the operation of our healthcare system. Training to become an LPN can be a rewarding experience for you. Contact us at the Idaho Healthcare Institute to learn more about starting the program at the College of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls today!