National
| Median wages (2008) |
$18.77 hourly, $39,030 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
749,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
309,000 additional employees |
29-2061.00 - Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
Sample of reported job titles:
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Charge Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Clinic Licensed Practical Nurse (CLINIC LPN), Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse (PEDIATRIC LPN), Clinic Nurse, Office Nurse, Private Duty Nurse, Triage Licensed Practical Nurse (TRIAGE LPN)
Tasks
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, and note times and amounts on patients' charts.
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Provide basic patient care and treatments, such as taking temperatures or blood pressures, dressing wounds, treating bedsores, giving enemas or douches, rubbing with alcohol, massaging, or performing catheterizations.
- Sterilize equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
- Answer patients' calls and determine how to assist them.
- Measure and record patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
- Work as part of a health care team to assess patient needs, plan and modify care and implement interventions.
- Collect samples such as blood, urine and sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
- Prepare patients for examinations, tests or treatments and explain procedures.
- Assemble and use equipment such as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, and oxygen suppliers.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Hypodermic needles — Hollow needles; Intramuscular needles; Intravenous IV needles; Subcutaneous needles |
| Nebulizers or accessories — Electronic compressor nebulizers; Pediatric nebulizers; Portable nebulizers; Ultrasonic nebulizers |
| Patient care beds or accessories for specialty care — Air fluidized beds; Circo-electric beds; Frames; Roto beds |
| Patient stabilization or fall prevention devices or accessories — Ankle restraints; Gait belts; Lap belts; Restraints |
| Spirometers or its accessories or its supplies — Automated spirometers; Handheld spirometers; Pocket spirometers; Pulmonary function evaluation equipment |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Scheduling software |
| Medical software — Infusion management software; MedicWare software; Personal digital assistants PDA medical software; Telephone triage software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software |
| Word processing software |
