Hospital LPN Training
Hospital LPNs
The health industry is already facing a shortage of professionals and this can be seen more so among the nursing staff. It is also projected that in the next decade the need for this personnel is going to steadily increase. Even with such a scenario there is a decline in the recruitment of Hospital LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses). In the past 10 years LPNs working in hospitals have declined by about 47% whereas the total LPNs have increased by about 18 percent. This was basically due to certain policy decisions of hospitals to manage costs and have more efficient management in patient care.
The cut in hospital LPNs may have been the right decision at that time but now their decreased number is being strongly felt as Registered Nurses (RNs) are coming under much increased work load and not able to concentrate on duties for which they are actually qualified. LPNs are professionally qualified and best suited for the hospital work environment and can relieve the extra work load which is increasingly felt among the nursing staff.
Hospital LPNs have a wide range of duties and basically they are meant to give direct bedside care. Hospital LPNs work under the direction and supervision of RNs and have a set of basic duties which include monitoring routines and providing bedside and daily living help to the patients.
Hospital LPNs are in charge of taking temperature, blood pressure and checking vital signs like respiration and pulse rate. Their tasks also include preparing and giving injections and enemas, administering and monitoring catheters, and changing dressings and bandages. Hospital LPNs have to assist the patient in their daily activities such as bathing, washing, brushing teeth and eating. Hospital LPNs also have to report about any adverse reaction to medication or other changes in the patient to the RN or doctor. They are also in charge of collecting samples for laboratory testing and perform certain routine tests themselves.
The scope of hospital LPNs duties will change according to the law of a state. Certain states allow hospital LPNs to administer intravenous medication, treat wounds and give certain medications after they have passed extra training and certification.
Hospital LPNs are an integral and vital part of a nursing team and can provide RNs with more time to practice the entire range of duties for which they are qualified. In effect hospital RNs can be the pivotal key in effectively restructuring the nursing team and resources
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