Licensed practical nurse
Occupation | |
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Occupation type | Healthcare |
Related jobs | Registered nurse |
A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the
In Canada, LPNs work autonomously similar to the registered nurse in providing care and are responsible for their individual actions and practice.[1]
Another title provided in the Canadian province of Ontario is "registered practical nurse" (RPN). In California and Texas, such a nurse is referred to as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
In the United States, LPN training programs are one to two years in duration. All U.S. state and territorial boards also require passage of the
United States
According to the 2010–2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses care for patients in many ways:
Often, they provide basic bedside care. Many LPNs measure and record patients'
nursing assistantsand aides, and other LPNs.As part of their work, LPNs collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, and record food and
medical equipment. Sometimes, they help physicians and registered nurses perform tests and procedures. Some LPNs help to deliver, care for, and feed infants.LPNs also monitor their patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. LPNs gather information from patients, including their health history and how they are currently feeling. They may use this information to complete insurance forms, pre-authorizations, and referrals, and they share information with registered nurses and doctors to help determine the best course of care for a patient. LPNs often teach family members how to care for a relative or teach patients about good health habits.[1]
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, while most LPNs are generalists and will work in any area of
In California, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) empty bedpans, commodes and clean and change incontinent adults. Licensed vocational nurses read vital signs such as pulse, temperature, blood pressure and respiration. They administer injections and enemas, monitor catheters and give massages or alcohol rubs. They may apply dressings, hot water bottles and ice packs. They help patients bathe and dress, treat bedsores and change soiled bed sheets. LVNs feed patients and record their food consumption, while monitoring the fluids they take in and excrete.
In May 2008, the median annual wages of LPNs/LVNs in the United States was $39,030, with the middle 50 percent earning between $33,360 and $46,710, the lowest 10 percent earning less than $28,260, and the highest 10 percent earning more than $53,580. Median annual wages differed by setting:[1]
Setting | Median annual wages |
---|---|
Employment services | $44,690 |
Nursing care facilities | $40,580 |
Home health care services | $39,510 |
General medical and surgical hospitals | $38,080 |
Offices of physicians | $35,020 |
According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, in 2008 there were some 753,600 jobs held by LPNs/LVNs in the United States, with about 25 percent working in hospitals, 28 percent in nursing care facilities, and 12 percent in physicians' offices. Other LPNs/LVN worked for home health care services; employment services;
In the
The
Advancement
In some settings, LPNs/LVNs have opportunities for advancement, including the possibility of becoming credentialed in a certain area (such as IV therapy,
The origins of the practical/vocational nurse can be traced back to the practice of self-taught individuals who worked in home care in the past, assisting with basic care (ADLs such as bathing) and light housekeeping duties (such as cooking). Licensing standards for practical nurses came later than those for professional nurses; by 1945, 19 states and one territory had licensure laws, but only one state law covered practical nursing. By 1955, however, every state had licensing laws for practical nurses. Practical nurses who had been functioning as such at the time new standards were adopted were usually granted a license by waiver, and exempted from new training requirements.[8]
The first formal training program for practical nurses was developed at the
Canada
In Canada, nursing, as with all other health care professions and trades, is regulated by the respective province or territory, through an enabling statute legal scheme where an act of the relevant legislature grants delegated authority to a non-sovereign entity such as a college of nurses with powers to regulate the profession within specific parameters and also grants to the respective minister of the Crown oversight and the powers to write regulations through a Ministerial Order in Council.
As an example, the Canadian province of British Columbia's enabling act is the Health Professions Act, RSBC 1996, c. 183, and the resulting nursing-specific regulation is incorporated into one Regulation together with a number of other practitioners such as audiologists and naturopaths in the Health Professions Designation Regulation, BC Reg 270/2008.
While the act and the regulation outline basic organizational architecture, each professional organization creates its own bylaws and codes of conduct and practice subject to ministerial and judicial review and must be in compliance with accepted norms of administrative law such as transparency and accountability in governance, fundamental principles of natural justice, an internal appeal process and compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Such legal schemes enable self-governance and save costs to governments by delegating regulatory responsibilities to a self-funded and self-administered professional entity, but are also known to engage in protectionist practices since the delegation also grants a monopoly for the provision of services to only one body, as widely studied by the late economist
A nurse who is entitled to practice in one jurisdiction cannot work in another without applying to and being granted a license by the local regulatory body. Educational, legal and practice requirements are similar, so mobility is possible; however, the nurse still has to fulfill requirements, such as writing exams and paying fees, in each location they wish to practice. This is akin to all other regulated professions where the provincial government holds exclusive jurisdiction.
Practical nurse compensation
The average hourly practical nursing salary at the entry level is 24.00 CAD an hour. The highest practical nursing salary at the experienced level is 36.00 CAD.[10] However, some practical nurses may make upwards of 40.00 CAD an hour. Many nurses also receive overtime compensation for the long hours and understaffing of many institutions.
Ontario
Ontario uses the designation Registered Practical Nurse to refer to a role known as Licensed Practical Nurse in the rest of Canada and elsewhere. This should not be confused with Registered Psychiatric Nurse, a title used in certain other Canadian jurisdictions.[11]
All nurses in the province of Ontario are regulated by the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), to which they must apply for and maintain membership. "College" in this case is used similarly to the word "board"; they are not a school or training provider themselves. To apply for membership, an applicant must satisfy requirements including completion of an approved two year post secondary training program, evidence of recent practice as a nurse, pass both an entrance and jurisprudence examination, be proficient in either English or French, have legal authorization to be employed in Canada, disclosure of certain past or ongoing legal proceedings, disclosure of certain proceedings involving practice of nursing in other jurisdictions and disclosure of certain kinds of health conditions and disabilities.[12]
In 2008, there were 27,432 RPNs registered as practicing with the CNO.[13] By 2017, this has increased to 48,748.[13]
By comparison to other classes of nursing in Ontario, there were 104,483 RNs and 3,083 NPs.[13] 90.9% of the 2017 RPNs were female and the average age was 40.8 years. 89.9% attended a nursing school in Ontario; however members who previously attended nursing schools outside Ontario which were not accepted as valid by the CNO at the time of their registration are not reflected in that number.[13]
The CNO's definition for a nurse's scope of practice is: "The practice of nursing is the promotion of health and the assessment of, the provision of care for, and the treatment of health conditions by supportive, preventive, therapeutic, palliative, and rehabilitative means in order to attain or maintain optimal function".[14]
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) outlines 13 controlled acts, 4 of which can be performed by RPNs and RNs. The 4 Controlled Acts available to be performed by RNs and RPNs are:
- Performing a prescribed procedure below the dermis or mucous membrane
- Administering a substance by injection or inhalation
- Putting an instrument, hand, or finger:
- Beyond the external ear canal
- Beyond the point in the nasal passages where they normally narrow
- Beyond the larynx
- Beyond the opening of the urethra
- Beyond the labia majora
- Beyond the anal verge or
- Into an artificial opening in the body
- Dispensing a drug[14]
The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) has 4 principal roles in the regulation of Ontario nurses:
- Articulating and Promoting Practice Standards
- Establishing Requirements for Entry to Practice
- Administering a Quality Assurance Program
- Enforcing Standards of Practice and Conduct[14]
The CNO has set 7 standards of practice for all nurses in Ontario:
- Accountability
- Continuing Competence
- Ethics
- Relationships (Therapeutic Nurse-Client Relationships and Professional Relationships)
- Knowledge
- Knowledge Application
- Leadership
Registered Nurses are expected to have a higher level of competency in the last three of these standards of practice than RPNs.[14] In Alberta, LPN's have a greater scope of practice than most provinces. They can perform most tasks that an RN can do, however, the complexity of the patient's condition determines if the LPN is in charge of care, or collaborating on care with an RN. In Ontario, RPNs are actively expanding their roles and scope of practice, modelling similarly to Alberta, with the exception that in Ontario, both RNs and RPNs are regulated by the same regulatory body. This model allows for both categories of nurses to be practising under the same guidelines and accountability models. In Canada, in home-care settings LPNs sometimes act as the liaison between the care provider and the local health authority, coordinating care.
United Kingdom
The state enrolled nursing qualification can no longer be gained in Britain. Prior to the implementation of
Formerly, there was a large segregation between the "green" SENs and "blue" SRNs, which were the colour of uniform typically worn. SENs were very much complementary to the nursing team, however did not have the status of SRNs and were ineligible to be promoted, e.g., to ward sister. Many SENs sat or re-sat the SRN exams, however a large number did not and were quite content being a SEN. Nowadays, the divide between level one and two nurses is diminishing due to the small number of SENs still in practice. The demise of the SEN is lamented by many who saw it as a balanced way to staff a ward. However, the divide also meant that potentially, the gap in clinical excellence could be too wide.[16] In many areas, ENs and SENs are being replaced with lesser qualified healthcare assistants educated to S/NVQ Level 3 or 4, being awarded titles such as Senior Healthcare Assistant, Senior Auxiliary Nurse, Senior Clinical Support Worker, Care Team Leader or Senior Care Assistant.
Although originally viewed as a less qualified nurse, ENs and SENs are now able to hold the rank of Deputy Charge Nurse in the NHS and Deputy Home Manager in the private sector, as well as unit manager, both within the NHS and the private sector, and in some instances higher, technically out-ranking a staff nurse (first-level RN).
As of 2018 the Enrolled Nurse has been re introduced to the UK and these practitioners hold the title of Registered Nurse Associate. RNA's must complete a two-year foundation degree and hold formal registration with the NMC. RNA's must also revalidate every three years as is also the case for RN's. They are placed at band 4 in the NHS banding system. RNA's are responsible for their own allocated patients and are certified to administer most medications. This bridged the gap between the lesser qualified HCA and RN. As far back as 2004 the Enrolled Nurse role was brought back in a limited fashion, placed at band 4 and called Assistant Practitioners. Whilst they continue to work within the NHS today they are not registered practitioners.[citation needed]
Australia
The national
The role of enrolled nurses in
Despite the fact that the role of the EN in Australia has been greatly expanded in recent years, opportunities for career progression remain somewhat limited, and for this reason, many choose to go on and study to become registered nurses. In terms of financial remuneration, the earning capacity of an enrolled nurse is capped at five years of service, whereas registered nurses continue to eight years before salary capping is applied.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010–11 Edition. Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor.
- ^ "Conditions d'admission". Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers auxiliaires du Québec | OIIAQ (in French). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Examination". www.bccnp.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ Strategies, ProctorU; Yardstick Assessment. "ProctorU and Yardstick Assessment Strategies Merge to Form Meazure Learning, Establishing World's Most Secure Testing Network and Platform". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Updating RPN competencies and exam". www.cno.org. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ Richard Pérez-Peña (23 June 2012). "More Stringent Requirements Send Nurses Back to School". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "Bureau of Labor Statistics". Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012–13 Edition, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ Janice Rider Ellis and Celia Love Hartley, Nursing in today's world: Trends, issues & management (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004), pp. 194–195.
- ^ Lois White, Foundations of Basic Nursing (2004), pp. 46–47.
- ^ "Licensed practical nurses: Wages and Salaries in Alberta - alis".
- ^ "Nursing Programs in Canada". www.cna-aiic.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Registration Requirements". College of Nurses of Ontario. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ ISSN 1916-047X.
- ^ a b c d cno.org
- PMID 14756830.
- PMID 10376222.