Licensed Practical Nurse

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Bonus based on performance
• Flexible schedule
• Training & development
• Wellness resources

Giving medications is one of the top duties of an LPN. As licensed healthcare professionals, LPNs are familiar with the proper administration and side effects of various medications. LPN give medications through various routes—by mouth, by injections, or by the rectum. In addition, LPNs also have to abide by certain protocols when giving medications, such as checking a patient’s blood pressure before giving hypertensive medications.

To give medications as an LPN, you need to know about the drugs you are giving and the proper way of giving them. For example, you will need to know if a drug causes a dangerous interaction with another. If so, you need to bring it up to the physician immediately. In addition, you also need to know how to give medications the right way.

Not all drugs come in pill form. In some cases, you need to learn additional skills, such as the use of a G‑Tube.

The most important skills you need to perform this duty are good communication skills and empathy. To reinforce teachings, you need to be able to express things in ways that are clear and understandable to patients. Medical information can be intimidating to some, and your ability to simplify this information is vital to the welfare of your patients. It’s not enough to know how to communicate well, however, you also have to be empathetic to others.

You need to understand and relate to their difficulties and fears to be able to reinforce education well.