Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Nursing Care Processes
Lecture:Nursing roles, responsibilities, and work settings
Slide content:What LPNs Do Licensed practical nurses (LPNs): Provide patient care and help with self-care Document in the patients medical record Teach family members how to care for the patient Some states call LPNs licensed vocational nurses Licensed professional by state but must practiced under another professional 8
Slide notes:LPNs, similarly to RNs, provide basic patient care, such as medication administration, patient monitoring, assisting with patient procedures, taking patient vital signs, and documenting in the patients medical record. Like many direct care providers, LPNs provide teaching and education to the patient and family members. An LPN must function under the direct supervision of an RN or a physician. Approximately half of LPNs work in hospitals or nursing care facilities. They also work in doctors offices, outpatient centers, and other settings. Depending on where they work, these nurses sometimes fill roles outside of providing direct patient care; examples of these roles include appointment scheduling, patient admissions, and even information technology. In California and Texas, LPNs are called licensed vocational nurses . As with other licensed professionals, LPNs must be state licensed and practice at the level of that state licensure. For example, there are limitations for LPNs administering medications in some states. 8