Becoming a practical nurse in Canada is a great career choice for many people. LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse, is a profession that offers good job prospects and salaries. In this article, we’ll talk about what you need to become an LPN, what your job might be like as one, and what is needed to write the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam. If your dream job includes helping people live healthier lives and ensuring they’re safe when recovering from surgery or other procedures, who doesn’t want those things? —then becoming an LPN could be the perfect choice for you!
What is a Practical Nurse?
A practical nurse is a health care professional who works under the supervision of a registered nurse. Practical nurses function as primary care providers in hospitals, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. They also work in doctors’ offices, schools, home health agencies, and rehabilitation centers.
Practical Nurse Job Description, Duties, and Responsibilities
As an LPN, you’ll typically work in a hospital or other medical facility. Your duties may include:
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- Providing direct patient care under the supervision of an RN or physician’s assistant.
- Monitoring vital signs and checking for physical changes in the patient’s condition to ensure the safety of their health status. This includes collecting specimens, performing phlebotomy (blood draws), and taking EKGs (electrocardiograms).
- Administering medications to patients following approved protocols, as well as calculating dosages based on patient weight and age. You may also be responsible for administering IV fluids and injections as needed by your employer’s protocol guidelines.
- Maintaining accurate records related to your patient’s health care through charting progress notes on their progress over time; documenting orders given by physicians; communicating with other members of the nursing staff regarding any concerns they have with those plans; updating treatment plans when necessary; and tracking inventory levels of supplies.
Where Do Licensed Practical Nurses Work?
As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you will be able to work in almost any setting. You may find that an LPN position is available at your local hospital or healthcare facility, such as a medical office, outpatient surgery center or home for the elderly. When working with patients in hospitals and other long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, one of your duties will be to make sure they are comfortable by providing assistance with daily activities like eating and bathing.
Education Requirements for LPNs in New Brunswick
You’ll need to be a high school graduate and complete a practical nursing program. You can find Oulton College’s Practical Nurse program here Licensed Practical Nurse Program – Moncton | Oulton College. To become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you must first pass the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) given by The Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (ANBLPN). The exam is based on the Canadian Nurses Association’s Scope and Standards of Practice for LPNs. To attain and maintain licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Brunswick specific criteria must be met. That criteria can be found on the ANBLPN website Students – Association of New Brunswick Licensed Practical Nurses (anblpn.ca).
Becoming a practical nurse can be a great choice for many people. It is important to understand what the job entails and find out what options are available in your area. We hope this article has been helpful for anyone considering careers in nursing or health care professions. If you have any questions about becoming a Practical Nurse, please contact us today at (506) 858-9696 or visit our website: Licensed Practical Nurse Program – Moncton | Oulton College.