Physical Demands of LPN vs Care aide

[georgia5689]

Hi all,

I am an occupational therapist working with a young nursing student studying to be an LPN. She was in a serious MVA and sustained injuries that left her with neck and back pain. She has worked as a care aide and had difficulty with her symptoms due to the obviously very physical nature of the job. I am trying to determine if work as an LPN is actually less physically demanding or at par with care aide work. I would imagine that it would depend on the setting, however I would greatly appreciate some information from working professionals on exactly the range of job duties and phyiscal demands associated with LPN work.

Thanks So much!

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

I'm currently an LPN student. I have never been a care aid, but I would venture to say that an LPN's role is somewhat less physical than a care aid, but not necessarily by much. In an acute care setting, there are no care aids, so patients that need to be turned, transfered, bed pan under, etc would be done by an LPN.

In the LTC facility where I did my 1st practicum, the care aid job is EXTREMELY physical. Lifting, transfering, re positioning, dressing, bathing etc. All physical. Whereas the LPN's job there was 95% doing med passes. Not so physical.

I think she will find it less physical being an LPN, but even if she's in a LTC setting, there will be times when she's required to also get in there and help with the physical stuff.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I worked as an aide for over 20 years, but I was not truly a bedside CNA for very long. I worked primarily in psych and clinics. Only worked in a nursing home for 2 years. I work in a clinic, now, as an LPN, and I am noticing that I did not develop plantar fasciitis until I became a nurse, so, go figure. What I have noticed is that if an LPN and CNA are, in fact, bedside caretakers, the CNA is more laborous physically, but the LPN has been both, mental as well as physical. Just my observation.