A practical nurse may have a different title depending on which province or state they work in but all are used to describe the same level of health care specialty. They can be called a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), a Practical Nurse (PN), a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) or a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). The title "Registered Practical Nurse" is primarily used in Ontario.
Opportunities in nursing are not limited to Registered Nursing; Licensed Practical Nurses are in demand and enjoy many of the same career benefits as RNs do.
What is a Practical Nurse?
An LPN or PN is a qualified healthcare professional who provides nursing care usually under the direction of medical practitioners and registered nurses and has been licensed by the nursing regulatory body in their province/state and represent the second largest health care profession after registered nurses. Regardless of the title, the role of a practical nurse is a critical one.
An LPN provides day-to-day patient care and performs medical interventions such as:
Providing nursing services based on the treatment plan
Conducting comprehensive medical assessments
Taking vital signs (blood pressure, respiration, temperature & pulse)
Administering medication as prescribed by a physician
Providing pre-operative and post-operative patient care
Monitoring therapies such as respiratory therapy and intravenous (IV) therapy
Collecting specimens
Inserting Catheters
Giving injections
Monitoring blood glucose levels
Appling sterile dressings and ensure infection control precautions are taken
Assisting and monitoring nutritional intake
Assisting patients with rehabilitation activities
Assisting with bathing and personal care
Documenting patient history
Provide health education to patients and their families
How to become a LPN In Canada
Healthcare is regulated provincially; each province outlines the legal definition of nursing and what the scope of practice is for each type. Education requirements differ from province to province, so the nature and scope of LPN jobs vary.
Anyone wishing to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Canada must take practical nursing program and complete a certificate or diploma program, these vary between one and two years in length, from an approved college or vocational school. Each province/territory has its own nursing regulatory body to ensure there are consistent standards of nursing practices and competency areas. In order to practice practical nursing in Canada, they must become licensed (LPN) by passing the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE), except Quebec, which has its own exam.
For eg. In British Columbia, PEI, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, a licensed practical nurse can only practice nursing under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or medical practitioner, whereas in Alberta and Ontario, an LPN can work independently within a defined nursing scope and does not need to be under the supervision of a RN.
Regardless of the variations across the provinces, all LPN’s in Canada write the same nursing entrance test, the Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam.
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