| With the life expectancy of the elderly increasing, the | | | | those families who chose to keep their family |
| number of senior citizens unable to care for | | | | member at home but cannot provide necessary care |
| themselves, or families not being able to provide the | | | | that a trained medical professional can. They visit |
| essential care at home, nursing homes and assisted | | | | patients at their home to take vital signs and look for |
| living facilities are rapidly popping up all over. Hospitals | | | | any changes that would need to be reported to a |
| and doctors offices are seeing an increase of | | | | doctor. LPNs also teach family members how to |
| patients due to the new studies, infections, and | | | | administer medicines, prepare foods if there is a |
| diseases being discovered every day. Nursing is one | | | | specialty diet required, and perform care on the |
| of the most demanded positions in the 21st century. | | | | patient when there is not a caregiver a the home. |
| Nurses will always be needed. | | | | Education for an LPN would include a one-year |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | | | | program with a state approved training program. This |
| LPNs work in all areas of the healthcare field: nursing | | | | would include classroom study and clinical education. |
| homes, sub acute rehabilitations, hospitals and | | | | After finishing the program, students would be |
| doctor’s offices. In long and short term nursing | | | | required to pass a licensing exam known as the |
| facilities LPNs pass medications, evaluate residents | | | | NCLEX-PN. |
| upon admission. During routine follow-ups, LPNs | | | | LPN Salary for LPNs range from $28,000 to $50,000 |
| determine the patient’s needs and develop care | | | | and are determined by factors such as setting, |
| plans. They also oversee nurse’s aides. LPNs in a | | | | region, and experience. Prior experience as a Certified |
| doctor’s office duties include making | | | | Nurse’s Assistant (CNA) or patient care |
| appointments, taking vital signs when a patient | | | | associate in a hospital and/or skilled nursing facility can |
| arrives for an appointment, being responsible for | | | | increase the starting salary and provide experience in |
| keeping medical records up to date, and additional | | | | the field giving that extra foot in the door when |
| office duties. Some LPNs work as visiting nurses for | | | | when searching for an LPN position. |