LPN Job Duties

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hi I am hoping to start nursing school this coming fall and I have been researching about LPNs and what they do. I see that it's more common for them to work in nursing homes and long term care facilities. If you work in those places do you change diapers? I plan to bridge to an RN program later but due to my financial situation it's just not possible right now. I would prefer work in an office or hospital setting. Will I be able to get a job in one of those places? What will the pay be like? TIA for all responses! I live in Oklahoma City if that matters.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

9 Articles; 4,800 Posts

I would research in your area, and see where they are hiring LPN's. It is area dependent on where an LPN can get a job. Some can't get into hospitals, some MD offices would rather a medical assistant as opposed to an LPN, that type of thing.

So be sure that you look and see what jobs are available.

Often, a number of nurses, regardless of title, are giving care to incontinent patients.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN

13,952 Posts

Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

RNs change diapers too.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I live in Oklahoma City if that matters.
The overwhelming majority of LPN job opportunities in the OKC metro area in in nursing homes, home health, private duty and hospice. And yes, you may have to change diapers.

The major hospitals in the city have stopped hiring LPNs because the local colleges and universities (OU, OSU, OCU, OBU, Southern Nazarene, Langston, OCC, Rose State) are producing more RNs every year than the OKC job market can absorb. Since OU Medical Center can hire new grad RNs cheaply at less than $20/hourly, there's no longer the need to utilize LPNs. Doctors' offices and clinics in OKC utilize medical assistants to cut costs.

If you want hospital employment that badly, you are going to need to commute to a rural area such as Guthrie (Logan Medical Center), Purcell, Pauls Valley, and so forth.

The overwhelming majority of LPN job opportunities in the OKC metro area in in nursing homes, home health, private duty and hospice. And yes, you may have to change diapers.

The major hospitals in the city have stopped hiring LPNs because the local colleges and universities (OU, OSU, OCU, OBU, Southern Nazarene, Langston, OCC, Rose State) are producing more RNs every year than the OKC job market can absorb. Since OU Medical Center can hire new grad RNs cheaply at less than $20/hourly, there's no longer the need to utilize LPNs. Doctors' offices and clinics in OKC utilize medical assistants to cut costs.

If you want hospital employment that badly, you are going to need to commute to a rural area such as Guthrie (Logan Medical Center), Purcell, Pauls Valley, and so forth.

Thanks for the feedback!

NOADLS

832 Posts

Some LTC care facilities have different expectations of their LPN's. Some expect you to change diapers, some don't. Pick one that doesn't make you change diapers as there are a lot of them out there that won't expect that of you. And even if other nurses do pitch in, remember that if you aren't expected to, you don't have to. That's CNA work IMO.

LPN's and RN's are too good to change diapers. We have CNA's to perform those tasks as we are responsible for more important things which CNA's lack the training to do.

NewGrad2014

25 Posts

Some LTC care facilities have different expectations of their LPN's. Some expect you to change diapers, some don't. Pick one that doesn't make you change diapers as there are a lot of them out there that won't expect that of you. And even if other nurses do pitch in, remember that if you aren't expected to, you don't have to. That's CNA work IMO.

LPN's and RN's are too good to change diapers. We have CNA's to perform those tasks as we are responsible for more important things which CNA's lack the training to do.

I had a hard time just reading this and not responding. If caring for a persons basic need is too far below your importance level as a human being and title... I don't even have the words to express how sorry I feel for your patients. Or for you for that matter. I'm in Canada, so I'm not completely familiar with the roles and responsibilities of RNs and LPNs in the states but I'm sure it does not differ that much. I suggest to this poster that you read over some standards of practice and i hope you come to the realization that "changing diapers" isn't something you're too good for. Assessing and monitoring skin integrity, performing vital perineal hygiene, noting colour, odour, and amount of urine as well as monitoring frequency, ect... PSWs and CNAs (unsure if there is much of a difference) are instrumental to providing quality health care..... and that doesn't translate to only changing briefs and other "unimportant" things you're supposedly too good to do. /end rant.

NOADLS

832 Posts

I had a hard time just reading this and not responding. If caring for a persons basic need is too far below your importance level as a human being and title... I don't even have the words to express how sorry I feel for your patients. Or for you for that matter. I'm in Canada, so I'm not completely familiar with the roles and responsibilities of RNs and LPNs in the states but I'm sure it does not differ that much. I suggest to this poster that you read over some standards of practice and i hope you come to the realization that "changing diapers" isn't something you're too good for. Assessing and monitoring skin integrity, performing vital perineal hygiene, noting colour, odour, and amount of urine as well as monitoring frequency, ect... PSWs and CNAs (unsure if there is much of a difference) are instrumental to providing quality health care..... and that doesn't translate to only changing briefs and other "unimportant" things you're supposedly too good to do. /end rant.

CNA's are required to inform me of any differences in skin integrity and those other things as above mentioned. Just because I won't change a diaper doesn't mean that I won't attend to a resident if there is a concern. I will stand by the CNA changing the diaper and make my assessment as they work.

NewGrad2014

25 Posts

CNA's are required to inform me of any differences in skin integrity and those other things as above mentioned. Just because I won't change a diaper doesn't mean that I won't attend to a resident if there is a concern. I will stand by the CNA changing the diaper and make my assessment as they work.
I sincerely hope karma bites you where you deserve it.

NOADLS

832 Posts

I sincerely hope karma bites you where you deserve it.

Hostility isn't necessary here. I am a licensed nurse and meet my standards of practice. Regardless of how I get there, the patient is receiving the care they deserve and I always ensure that the proper follow up with respect to the patient's needs are met.

systoly

1,756 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Memory loss, PDN.

relax guys and read - no ADLs is a clown looking for a circus

and no, you don't change diapers in LTC, you change briefs

but even if you were to sign up with NOADLS' circus, you'd still

have colostomies and ileostomies

Specializes in Psych, Case Management, Care Coordination.

If you were a nurse under my Moms, (both charge nurses) and you said you wouldn't care for an incontinent patient, you'd be out the door on your ass. NEVER consider yourself above doing the work of a CNA.

Some people are unbelievable. ?

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