Florida Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN)
Licensed practical nurses are healthcare professionals who can work independently, or under the supervision of registered nurses. It is common for a licensed practical nurse to work in a team which consists of a certified nurse aide, a practical nurse, and a registered nurse. While the main responsibility of a licensed practical nurse is to provide basic nursing care to patients, other important duties include to guide and supervise certified nurse aides, and closely work with and report to the registered nurse.
Licensed practical nurses work in a variety of settings and with patients of all ages. Job duties focus on preventing further illness, maintaining an acceptable state of health for the patient, and improving the well being of the client through treatment, comfort measures, and pain control. The LPN works closely with registered nurses to revise and update the client's plan of care by setting realistic and individualized goals and outcomes. Some of the tasks performed by licensed practical nurses include: assessment of the client, checking vital signs, administering medications, measuring intake and output, starting and monitoring IVs, inspecting and changing dressings, caring for pressure ulcers, and helping patients with ambulating and position changes.
LPN duties also include listening to and comforting the client as well as interacting with families and other health care professionals to provide the highest level of care. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, 725,000 licensed practical nurses are currently working in the U.S. There is a shortage of health care professionals in the United States and the need for qualified, licensed health care personnel is on the rise. The demand for licensed practical nurses is seen in multiple healthcare settings such as long term care facilities, hospitals, home health care, rehabilitation centers, clinics and doctor's offices.
LPN positions with competitive salaries and benefits are offered to students before graduation from nursing programs. A new licensed practical nurse can expect to make between $12 and $18 per hour, not including shift, overtime and weekend differentials. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the salary range for an LPN in Florida is between $25,340 to more than $48,510. LPN yearly salaries depend on hours of work, shift worked, employment setting, work experience, and location of the employer. For example, an experienced licensed practical nurse working for an agency can earn $25 per hour or more.
One of the benefits of working as a licensed practical nurse is the flexibility of the work schedule. Practical nurses can choose to work full time, part time and per diem and can have 8 or 12 hour shifts. In hospitals and long term care facilities practical nurses may be required to work weekends, holidays, and both day and night shifts. Practical nursing programs in Florida typically require one year to complete and are a combination of classroom instruction and hands on clinical practice.
Those interested in practical nursing programs should apply at technical and community colleges, junior colleges, and hospitals. Universities also have LPN programs but the program cost may be higher. Prospective nursing students need to have proof of High School Diploma or GED and complete an application stating their intent to enroll in the practical nursing program. No prior college course credits are required to enroll in a practical nursing program.
Once accepted in the LPN program, students will study subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and nursing specific courses. The concepts studied in class will be applied to practice in various settings including hospitals, long term care facilities and rehabilitation centers. The LPN student will have a solid base of knowledge and skills upon completion of an LPN program. All course work, clinical instruction and practice must be completed before one can qualify to take the licensing examination.
After completing a practical nursing program, graduate practical nurses must pass the NCLEX-PN exam. Upon passing the NCLEX examination the graduate practical nurse will receive a license and be able to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Florida. The need for qualified licensed practical nurses will increase as the U.S. population is aging. Health care jobs are constantly created in the communities due to the growing trend in home health care and the clients desire to remain in their homes for as long as possible. As a result of the current nurse shortage and the growing need to replace nurses leaving the profession, licensed practical nurses (LPN) will find increasing opportunities to select the work environment best suited for them, be it in a hospital, long term care, or home health care agencies.
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