THE LPN AND THE RN: ROLES AND ROLE TRANSITION

The standard definition of an LPN, or licensed practical nurse, is “A nurse who has completed a practical nursing program and is licensed by a state to provide routine patient care under the direction of a registered nurse or a physician.” (Answers.com, n.d.). More specifically, the LPN:
…participates in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care in all settings where nursing takes place. Generally this means providing for the emotional and physical comfort and safety of patients; observing, recording and reporting to appropriate persons, changes in patients' symptoms and conditions; performing more specialized nursing functions such as administering medications and therapeutic treatments; and assisting with rehabilitation. (NFLPN, n.d.)

This is from the website of the National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses. The discussion of the role of the LPN goes on to say that in the hospital,
…duties may include taking and recording temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration rate; dressing wounds; observing patients and reporting adverse reactions or altered conditions; administering medications, noting ...