Practical Nurses

A practical nurse performs basic patient care under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses (RNs). Since practical nurses have extensive daily contact with their patients, they are key to providing vital information on the their condition and progress to the nursing and medical staff.

Typical job responsibilities include:

• Taking vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration;
• Helping patients with bathing, dressing and personal hygiene;
• Applying dressings, ice packs and therapeutic heat;
• Recording food and liquid intake and output; and
• Preparing and giving injections.

Once you have met the Practical Nursing Program requirements at Seminole State, you are eligible to apply to the Florida State Board of Nursing to sit for the licensing exam for practical nursing (LPN).

LPNs may also tend to more than patients' medical needs. They help patients with bathing and dressing, keep them comfortable and care for their emotional needs.

LPN responsibilities also increase depending on their work environment (with additional continuing education):

• LPNs working in long-term care facilities may help evaluate residents' needs, develop care plans and supervise the care provided by nursing aides.
• LPNs working in a physician's office or clinic perform clerical duties, such as scheduling appointments and keeping records, as well as phlebotomy, EKG and basic X-ray tasks.
• LPNs working in a private home may prepare meals and reinforce skills of family members who perform simple nursing tasks.

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