2014 Vocational Medical Careers LVN

A licensed vocational nurse, commonly abbreviated “LVN,” is a medical professional who provides basic patient care in settings like hospitals, doctor’s offices, and long-term care facilities. In some places, the term “licensed practical nurse” is more commonly used; “state enrolled nurse” is also a synonym, particularly in the United Kingdom. No matter what he or she is called, this person has an important role in the medical community and is a valued part of many healthcare teams. The specifics of these nurses' jobs are usually limited by local law in terms of how extensively they can be involved in direct services, but the work they do is often essential to making sure that each patient gets prompt and efficient care.

Personal Hygiene Care

• An LVN may assist or provide total personal hygiene care, such as bathing, dressing and/or oral care, to a person who is either incapable of doing this himself or needs help. This person may be ill or recuperating and not up to par yet. The patient needing care may be a patient with dementia or is either mentally or physically challenged.

Patient Teaching

• This type of nurse will assist the patient in learning about his condition. The LVN will show the patient how to better care for himself through proper nourishment, diabetic care and personal hygiene, including good oral care and/or learning when and how to take medications correctly on a daily basis.
  
  

  Wound Care

  • An LVN performs dressing changes on those who need it. The nurse will carry out the specified treatment as the physician has ordered it. The LVN will record a descriptive detail of the dressing change. This would include the discomfort level of the patient, what the wound looks like and any noted drainage.

  Medications

  • An LVN will administer medications to patients who are unable to physically or mentally take them by themselves. The medications are given as prescribed by the patient's physician.

  Transcribing Doctor's Orders

  • An LVN is working under the direction of the registered nurse (RN) and/or primary care physician. This nurse is able to take physician's orders either written or verbally and process them accordingly.

  Tender Loving Care

  • The LVN is the person who will reassure and comfort the patient when family or friends are not available. This type of nurse will perform hands-on care and offer a good listening ear to the patient. A gentle touch and a kind, sympathetic heart are necessary ingredients for LVNs to possess.

  Documentation

  • It is essential that an LVN record details of anything pertinent pertaining to a patient's care, either physically or mentally. Anything provided by the LVN should be documented. This includes the patient's eating habits, sleeping habits and any physical or mental abnormalities.