What area's can a LPN work in?

INerLPN · Jun 27, 2007

It all depends on where you work. Different areas have different rules. I know where I live a LPN can work in all of those areas at the right hospital. :) Labor and delivery is the only one where there is much problem around here. At the larger hospital LPNs cannot work L&D however working at a smaller hospital I have been in on quite a few deliveries :lol2: not that I always wanted in on them. I preferr my pts alittle older than newborn. Point is still that it is possible you just have to find the right facility. I was told when I graduated nursing school that I would not ever beable to work in an ER. Of course, that instructor was wrong I have been working in the ER for the past 6 1/2 yrs. Good Luck in whatever you do.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

An LPN can work in med-surg, long term care, rehabilitation, psychiatric nursing, home health, clinic nursing, doctors' offices, day surgery, dialysis, hospice, prison nursing, postpartum (though this is rare), public health, case management, wound care, nurse management, entrepreneur, and as an instructor for private medical assistant schools, practical nursing schools, and CNA courses. I know an LPN who owned, operated, and taught at a private medical assistant school.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2007

I am interested in labor and delivery, newborn nursery, or post partum care, or working in an OR, or for a plastic surgeon. Can LPN's work in any of these area's?

LPNs can work in these areas, but the jobs are rare. RNs are preferred for these positions, so most hospitals across the nation do not hire LPNs into these departments any longer. If RNs are competing for spots in the newborn nursery, then LPNs are usually out of luck.

JoAnnS · Jun 28, 2007

:nurse:

i know lpn's can work in all nursing homes. in my area, the hospital do not hire lpn's. but the prior posts gave some get answers.

so i just learned something here today as well.

kat7ap · Jun 29, 2007

Nursing homes are obviously the number one employer for LPN's, other places I've seen LPN's working or employment ads for LPN's at dr.'s offices, clinics, home health agencies, hospice, long term acute care hospitals, med/surg and then more rarely ER, OR, Mother-Baby, Peds and others.

I actually didn't mind the idea of nursing home work as a new LPN because of knew of the ease of finding a job and the higher pay rate. However I quickly became burned out from the high stress of sometimes impossible and unsafe pt loads and poor nursing home management which seems to be universal. I wish you luck finding an area of nursing that you really like, although it's ok to start in something that's not your favorite just to get experience at first.

Annor · Jun 29, 2007

I am a LPN:nurse:

I work for a plastic surgeon.....I am his nurse in the office. We do alot of office procedures.....more then you can imagine.

:smackingf

Hi everyone, first time poster here!
What area's of nursing can LPN's work in? I am not too keen on working in a nursing home. God bless those that can, but its not for me. I am interested in labor and delivery, newborn nursery, or post partum care, or working in an OR, or for a plastic surgeon. Can LPN's work in any of these area's?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 29, 2007

I am a LPN:nurse:
I work for a plastic surgeon.....I am his nurse in the office. We do alot of office procedures.....more then you can imagine.
:smackingf

What precisely do you do in the plastic surgery office? I heard that there are more openings for them in my area and plan to search myself.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 29, 2007

It depends on where you are located. I am hearing that some places are really limiting LPNs, but that has not been what I witnessed in my area. It is true that a few less hospitals here in New York are hiring us, but there are still plenty that do, and in most areas of the hospitals. As previously mentioned, labor and delivery has transferred their LPNs and replaced with RNs, but the sky can be the limit on my side of the globe.

mshep12 · Jun 29, 2007

I agree with the other posters here, it mostly depends on job opportunities in your specific location. But, if you would like more information, you might find this article helpful.

http://www.nursingprograms.com/licensed-practical-nurse-vocational-practical-nurse

It's very informative. Good luck...

Annor · Jun 29, 2007

What precisely do you do in the plastic surgery office? I heard that there are more openings for them in my area and plan to search myself.

Wellll........I set up all office surgical set-ups.. these surgical procedures are with local anesthesia in the office. We care for alot of breast cancer pts...we see them once a week for their "fill ups" ....we are expanding the expanders so we can strecth the tissue to re -construct the breast....

Alot of skin cancer excisons in the office...ALOT

Cosmetic procedures....minor lipo suction, surgical mini facelifts...if they are "good pts'....remember we only use a local in the office....more extensive surgery is done in hospitals or ambulatory centers....

I do alot of dressings.....and stitch removal....I also order all medical supplies and sending out pathology to labs.....plus,authorizations to insurance companies. H&P's......and call back to pts regarding their path reports.

There is alot to do.....I am NEVER bored....!!!!! I even get stressed out !

GeauxNursing · Jun 30, 2007

I'm currently a PCT in a chronic hemodialysis unit. Once I get my LVN I plan on staying here for a while as a flooor nurse. After training, my boss promises me at least 20/hr.