Summary:
What is the Difference between LVN and LPN?
- They are the same, just named differently in certain states.
- CA and TX term these nurses as Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
- The rest of the states, term these nurses as Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses provide basic medical and nursing care such as checking blood pressure and inserting catheters, ensure the comfort of patients by helping them bathe or dress, discuss health care with patients and report status of patients to registered nurses and doctors.
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN): Includes, but not limited to:
Taking the patient's vital signs such as respiration, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Performing and documenting ongoing assessments of patient’s physical and mental health
Explaining procedures and treatment protocols to patients
Providing the basic bedside care like dressing wounds, changing bandages, inserting catheters, and giving injections.
Planning and managing patient care according to each patient’s needs
Interviewing patients and recording their medical history
Obtaining patient vital signs and escorting patients to their rooms
Administering injections of medications
Verifying that patient charts are updated promptly and accurately
Observing and recording patients’ conditions and reactions to medications and treatments
Enter data related to the record of patients in computer systems.
Inform the patients about the doctor’s order or test results via mail or call
Assist registered nurses and other superior nurses to develop best care plan for the patients
Talk to the patients about their present problems, allergies, medications and keep update medical records accordingly
Accomplish scheduled immunizations, visual acuity testing, nebulizer treatments, and regulate TB tests
Talk to the patients and their families about their treatment plan, tests, and diagnoses
Starting, monitoring, or discontinuing the intravenous catheters or the intravenous fluids. (per state regulations
Taking verbal orders from the physician
Aid in phlebotomy - analyze patients, look over the requisition form for requested tests, and set equipment, patient and puncture site. (per state regulations)
Manage adequate inventory of examination room supplies and set the rooms.
Undertake various office responsibilities: answer calls and reply to messages and execute triage within the scope of licensed practical nursing practice in an accurate and precise way.
Help to coordinate patient referrals and take part in the training and orientation of new employees.
Call pharmacies for ordering prescriptions and store supplies in the rooms of patients
Minimum Qualifications:
- 1 year of recent working experience as a LPN/LVN (not including clinicals)
- Current BLS Card
- Current TB Screen
- Current State License
- Valid Identification/Driver's License
- Successful completion of a Background Check and Medely's screening process