Duties of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in pediatrics vary by state and job setting. Typically, tasks include taking vital signs, helping patients with personal hygiene, and providing other basic care.
Duties and Responsibilities
Working under direct supervision of physicians and registered nurses, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for patients who are hurt, ill, disabled, or convalescing. In pediatric settings, LPNs care specifically for children and adolescents. Some states allow LPNs to take on larger responsibilities than others. Duties also vary by employer; for example, a pediatric LPN who works at a pediatric clinic will have different assignments from one employed with a hospital or surgical center. In general, LPNs in pediatrics are responsible for:
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Preparing and giving injections and enemas
- Dressing wounds
- Monitoring catheters
- Assisting patients with bathing, dressing, and other personal hygiene
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutLicensedPracticalNurses">Important Facts About Licensed Practical Nurses</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> On-the-Job Training </td><td> None</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Hospitals, extended care facilities, physicians' offices and private homes</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Patience, compassion, meticulous, physically fit, interpersonal, excellent written and oral communication</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Nursing assistant and orderlies, occupational therapy assistant and aides, physical therapist assistants and aides, psychiatric technicians and aides, registered nurses, surgical technologists</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---EducationAndTraining">Education and Training</h3><p>All LPNs must complete training through a vocational or technical school or community college. Practical nursing programs usually last about one year and combine clinical practice with classroom instruction in subjects like anatomy and physiology, nutrition, and first aid. Students also study specialty areas, such as pediatrics or obstetrics.
</p><p>After graduating, LPNs must take a computer-based licensing exam, the NCLEX-PN, which is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Four basic categories are covered by the exam:
</p><ul><li>Physiological integrity
</li><li>Psychosocial integrity
</li><li>Safe and effective care environment
</li><li>Health promotion and maintenance
</li></ul><p>To advance in their careers, many LPNs eventually enroll in LPN-to-RN degree programs to become registered nurses (RNs).
</p><h3 id="section---EmploymentOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Employment Outlook and Salary Information</h3><p>Job openings for LPNs are expected to increase 6% from 2021-2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. As of 2021, the median salary among these professionals was $48,070.</p>
