Enfermera profesional titulada

Working Schedule
Licensed Vocational Nurses typically work full-time, and can expect night, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Tareas típicas

• Monitor patient vital signs (i.e., blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc.)
• Provide basic care such as bandage changes and assistance with bathing, dressing, and eating
• Discuss concerns and explain care plans with patients and families, based on instructions from the supervising registered nurse (RN) or physician 
• Observe patient behavior and routines; ensure patient safety and comfort
• Comunicar a los miembros del equipo sanitario información actualizada sobre el estado del paciente.
• Document given care, maintain diligent records, and handle intake/discharge procedures
• Ayudar en la movilidad, el transporte y la preparación de los pacientes para los procedimientos.
• Coordinate patient care with therapists, specialists, or others, as directed
• Manage hygienic conditions and practice infection control
• Restock supply inventories, or delegate tasks to assistants
• Set up and maintain medical equipment
• Administer medications based on state guidelines and training 
• Guide patients in effective pain management techniques
• Perform wound care, when trained and as delegated
• Respond to emergencies and code blues under supervision

1. During a code blue, LVNs may be authorized to start IV infusions, draw blood, perform blood glucose checks, and administer oxygen, if trained
2. They may also be tasked to direct responders, record and document staff actions, help move patients, ensure patient belongings are gathered during transport, and explain events to family members
3. Be familiar with the Incident Command System (depending on employment situation)

Responsabilidades adicionales

• Administer and monitor patient response to oxygen therapy
• Proporcionar cuidados preoperatorios y postoperatorios, ayudando a garantizar recuperaciones rápidas.
• Participar en la formación continua y el desarrollo profesional
• Supervise others based on state rules and employer policies
• Advocate for patient rights and provide emotional support to patients and their families
• Assist with specimen collection and laboratory tests, as directed
• Educar a los pacientes sobre el autocuidado y el tratamiento de los síntomas a largo plazo.
• Mantener la confidencialidad del paciente

Habilidades sociales

• Adaptabilidad
• Trato en la cama
• Compasión
• Compostura
• Resolución de conflictos
• Pensamiento crítico
• Sensibilidad cultural
• Fiabilidad
• Orientación al detalle
• Resiliencia emocional 
• Empatía
• Integridad 
• Habilidades interpersonales 
• Multitarea
• Observador
• Paciencia
• Resistencia física
• Creación de relaciones
• Fiabilidad
• Seguridad 
• Buen juicio 
• Gran capacidad de comunicación
• Trabajo en equipo y colaboración
• Gestión del tiempo

Competencias técnicas

• Dominio de los sistemas de historia clínica electrónica (HCE ) para la documentación y el seguimiento del historial médico.
• Destreza en el manejo y mantenimiento de equipos médicos como tensiómetros, medidores de glucosa y bombas de infusión intravenosa.
• Conocimientos de farmacología, administración de medicamentos y control de reacciones adversas.
• Experiencia en el tratamiento de heridas (por ejemplo, cambios de apósitos, control de signos de infección, etc.).
• Conocimiento de las técnicas de evaluación de pacientes, monitorización de constantes vitales y capacidad para identificar cambios en el estado del paciente.
• Capacidad para ayudar a desarrollar, aplicar y ajustar planes de asistencia sanitaria individualizados en colaboración.
• Competencia para supervisar, evaluar y documentar el progreso de la rehabilitación
• Cumplimiento de los protocolos de saneamiento, esterilización, higiene y control de infecciones.
• Uso adecuado de los equipos de protección individual (EPI)
• Competencia en la prestación de ayuda a la movilidad y en el uso de dispositivos de asistencia.
• Conocimiento de los ejercicios básicos de fisioterapia para el apoyo y la recuperación del paciente.
• Familiaridad con las acciones de respuesta a emergencias (incluyendo infusiones intravenosas, administración de oxígeno, transporte de pacientes y Sistema de Mando de Incidentes, en algunos casos).
• Familiaridad con programas informáticos médicos como

1. eClinicalWorks 
2. Sistemas Epic 
3. Sistema común de codificación de procedimientos sanitarios 
4. Software de gestión de infusiones
5. Software de codificación de afecciones y procedimientos médicos
6. MedicWare EMR
7. MEDITECH 
8. PointClickCare
9. Software de tratamiento de recetas
10. Software de triaje telefónico

• Centros de Alzheimer
• Centros de vida asistida
• Centros comunitarios de día para adultos
• Comunidades de jubilados
• Correctional facilities
• Agencias sanitarias gubernamentales y comunitarias
• Servicios sanitarios a domicilio
• Centros de cuidados paliativos
• Unidades de rehabilitación hospitalaria
• Instalaciones militares y para veteranos
• Centros de cuidados (centros de enfermería especializada)    
• Residencias de ancianos y centros de cuidados de larga duración
• Occupational health settings
• Centros ambulatorios
• Centros de rehabilitación
• Rural clinics
• Escuelas

LVNs/LPNs have demanding roles and must juggle tasks while maintaining the utmost precision and attention to detail. They’re expected to manage their time efficiently to ensure all patient needs are tended to promptly, correctly, and with suitable compassion. They must be meticulous record-keepers while staying focused on the immediate needs of the patients under their care.

The job can be physically demanding, especially when dealing with patients who have mobility issues—or when required to be up on your feet all day. Sometimes patients are dealing with circumstances that may make them difficult to manage, but LVNs/LPNs must maintain their composure and not let the stress get to them.

Hours can run long, with night shifts, weekends, and holidays often expected. Due to the pressure and laborious nature of this profession, Licensed Vocational Nurses need to take enough time for self-care to prevent exhaustion and burnout, which are common triggers that can drive nurses to retire.

A significant trend in the nursing world is the increased use of technology, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth services, requiring LVNs to constantly update their tech skills. There’s also a growing emphasis on preventive care and chronic disease management—areas where LVNs can engage in patient education and support.

Due to the national nursing shortage, LVNs are starting to undertake certain additional responsibilities that once fell on the shoulders of Registered Nurses. While this can be burdensome at times, it’s also an opportunity for career growth! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% growth in employment opportunities for LVNs through 2032, which is higher than the average projected growth for all occupations.  

Licensed Vocational Nurses/Licensed Practical Nurses are often natural caregivers. They may have helped take care of family members in their younger years, or perhaps always felt a strong desire to help others in need. They’re also highly practical and great at providing motivation—traits that could have been developed through extracurricular activities in school. Perhaps their most defining characteristic is the willingness to persevere through challenges so their patients can reach their health goals.