LPN Role In Nursing HomesLPNs have an extremely critical role to play when it comes to the nursing and medical care segment. If it weren't for them, physicians, registered nurses and the medical fraternity would simply be overwhelmed with responsibilities. Various roles and job responsibilities LPNs have the major task of ensuring personalized care and attention to all the patients in a hospital or medical center. While the generic list of responsibilities remains the same, there are also additional responsibilities, which LPNs are required to take on. These added responsibilities will depend on the state laws as well as the individual medical center. Broad spectrum of roles LPNs play a crucial role in ensuring the speedy recovery of ailing patients. Whether it is a terminally ill patient or a person with a mild infection, the LPN role in nursing homes cannot be undermined. They help patients ensure personal hygiene - something of crucial importance as germs can further aggravate an existing condition. They also help administering IVs (though not always), measuring vital signs of the patient, monitoring of volumes, administration of enemas, treating wounds, measuring weight, height, blood pressure etc. The LPNs also measure the temperature of the patient, pulse rate, respiration rates and much more. In the midst of all these responsibilities, the LPNs also need to be caring and friendly towards the patients. Terminally ill patient care Patients who are terminally ill in a nursing home need added care, attention and love. LPNs do all that and more. They help instill confidence and provide much needed emotional support to the patient. In addition, the various functions like personalized care, ensuring personal hygiene, turning the patient so that bedsores do not form etc. are just some of the responsibilities, which LPNs have. They also have responsibilities like the administration of prescription medicines. However, not many LPNs perform such responsibilities and only certain states across US have such specialized functions for LPNs. Baby care The spectrum of responsibilities of an LPN is vast and all encompassing. It sometimes even extends to delivering, caring and feeding a newborn baby! LPNs are in terrific demand, especially in the state of New York. With the growing number of health concerns these days, LPNs have their hands full everyday. Whether it is about administering IVs, ensuring patient recovery and health or performing health care of a convalescing patient at home, LPNs do all of this and more. They are often required to go beyond the call of their duty to perform additional healthcare tasks to speed the recovery of patients. Though the responsibilities may seem like a lot, LPNs are remunerated very well. Given the wide spectrum of roles, which LPNs have, they always have plenty of job opportunities awaiting them at various medical centers, hospitals, clinics etc. The LPN role in nursing homes can never be underestimated because they are the very backbone of a patient's recovery. |