What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is responsible for assisting physicians with patient office visits, including seating patients in rooms, interviewing patients, recording vital signs such as pulse rate, blood pressure, height, and weight. Additionally, a licensed practical nurse administers and documents medication under a physician's order. Licensed practical nurses usually work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physician offices. LPN's interested in advancing within the nursing profession can move on to a Registered Nurse (RN).
Licensed practical nurses generally have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing along with a valid license practical nursing certification. A successful licensed practical nurse is a compassionate team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Observe, record, and report changes in patients' condition
- Effectively carry out medical and surgical asepsis during treatments and special procedures
- Sterilize packages and autoclaves instruments, using proper sterilization protocols
- Effectively label and process patient specimens as needed, including tracking specimens in appropriate logs
- Organize exam rooms, including general cleaning, upkeep, and re-stocking of supplies
- Communicate with patients' family or friends to provide advice, comfort and release instructions
- Administer injections, prescribed medications and clean and dress wounds and assist with other basic medical care tasks
- Demonstrates appropriate hand washing technique to ensure proper infection control and follows universal precautions
- 2+ years' nursing experience
- Current LPN license in the state
- Valid CPR certification
- Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care according to individual needs
- Excellent staff training and customer service skills
- Outstanding knowledge of nursing and medical terminology
- Compassionate and friendly demeanor
- Understanding of confidentiality obligations and nursing best practices
- Exceptional physical condition and stamina
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries near Canada
Average Base Pay
Licensed Practical Nurse Insights
Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care“Everyone is super nice and helpful and they have been super flexible with my schedule and have worked with me.”
Nestlé“no career improvement and development because you do the basic things during internship at lab everyday”
Marin Post Acute“They administrator is top notch and he handles any situation I have ever brought to his attention immediately.”
Everside Health“The doctor and nurse are great to work with and team effort is top notch.”
UF Health“If you have a good team and doctors it is an amazing place to work for.”
Adoration Health“PTO is slow to grow and the insurance isn't the best but not the worse.”
RGIS“Very flexible working arrangements and you get to choose what jobs you want to do.”
Adventist Health“Lower end of pay grade for positions but they have been rising and paying much better to meet market standards.”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of licensed practical nurses
The typical day of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) centers around providing patient care in a hospital setting or a doctor's office. Duties include getting vitals, recording information on charts, and administering medicine under the supervision of a doctor or registered nurse.
LPNs work in a variety of settings, which can affect working hours and overall employment environment. An advantage of becoming an LPN revolves around the many places one can work, including doctors' offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home healthcare.
The average pay for a licensed practical nurse in Canada is $70,223 per year. Top LPN earners make up to $77,350 per year, with the opportunity to move into new roles and higher salaries with additional training and education.
LPNs spend a lot of time around sick and injured people, which can create a stressful environment. Working as an LPN also means spending lots of time on your feet. LPNs may need to work long hours, including during holidays.
