What Are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

Licensed Practical Nurses are essential members of the healthcare team, providing critical support and care to patients across various settings. Their roles are diverse, and their effectiveness is enhanced through proper training and positive attitudes towards patient care. As healthcare continues to evolve, the role of LPNs will remain vital in ensuring quality patient outcomes.

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play a crucial role in the healthcare system, providing essential nursing care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and doctors. They are integral to various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, where they perform a range of duties to support patient care.

Roles and Responsibilities

LPNs are responsible for a variety of tasks that ensure the well-being of patients. These tasks include monitoring vital signs, administering medications, and assisting with daily activities such as bathing and dressing. In some settings, LPNs may also be involved in more specialized care, such as managing chronic conditions like hypertension and depression. For instance, a study demonstrated that LPNs could effectively integrate depression treatment into hypertension care, leading to improved blood pressure control and reduced depressive symptoms among patients1.

Attitudes and Perceptions

LPNs often work in environments that require sensitivity and understanding, such as nursing homes. Research has shown that LPNs generally have positive attitudes towards the sexual activity of older residents, challenging common stereotypes about aged sexuality. This openness is crucial for providing respectful and comprehensive care to elderly patients2.

Training and Competency

The training of LPNs is vital to their effectiveness in healthcare settings. Studies have explored different training methodologies, such as traditional versus simulation-based training for skills like intravenous (IV) administration. While traditional training methods have been preferred for developing competency in live IV cannulation, simulation technology is also endorsed for its potential benefits in training LPN students4. Additionally, LPNs, along with medical assistants, have shown improvements in performing smoking cessation counseling when provided with proper training and support, although they may still perform less effectively than RNs in some areas3.