Questions

I rarely lift patients or do much physical work as an LVN. I stand frequently and am occasionally asked to help pull a patient up in bed. I thank goodness that I am not required to do a lot of physical stuff because I suffer from chronic back and leg pain.

LPN and LVN are the exact same type of nurse.

LPN = Licensed Practical Nurse
LVN = Licensed Vocational Nurse

California and Texas refers to their basic nurses as LVNs. The other 48 states refer to their basic nurses as LPNs. I'm licensed in California and Texas; therefore, I'm called an LVN. I would be called an LPN if I worked in any other state beside California and Texas.

I would say that during clinicals, it may be physical because they will require you to do complete bed baths and such, but once you finish, it shouldn't be. Also, they teach you techniques to decrease the strain on your body.

CNA = Certified Nurses Aide
LPN = Licensed Practical Nurse
They're not the same thing. Please read the links below.

While I had to learn how to give bed baths in school, I have never had to give a bath while working as an LPN. I administer medications, supervise CNAs, chart, dress wounds, do simple treatments, CPR (if someone dies), IVs, wound vacuums, gastric tube feedings, etc. Please read the links below.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos165.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm