Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses are the ones who are generally noticed and highlighted in the field of medical assistance. A licensed practical nurse works directly under the physician and caters to the unwell, disabled patients admitted in the hospital undergoing treatment. During any emergency or check up, a nurse is the first medical assistant which a patient meets. In fact, medical assistance begins with a licensed practical nurse.

Nursing is a difficult and most important job after the doctor’s duties in a healthcare facility. A nurse performs the basic examinations, checks the vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, breathing and pulse. These are useful for a quick reference for the doctor. Bedside care and other responsibilities come under the duties of the nurse. It is the nurse’s responsibility to check on how the patient is reacting to a particular treatment and then report it back to the physician. Nurse also look into other support like feeding, help in minute difficulties for patients in order to make them feel like home.

The job involves making the patient feel like home. Hence a nurse is required in the hospital for full 24 hours of the day. To cater to this need most hospitals involve shifts so that a nurse enjoys some time off. All that the nurse has to do is to work regularly on the time slot allotted. A nurse may work full time or part time, depending on the organization, interest and even qualification. This is extremely useful for people who wish to fulfill other commitments such as family, welfare etc.

Education requirements:

The training period lasts for usually a year and a half.  The whole program includes both class room training and outer clinical work experience. Preparation for this stream is as convenient as the job. One can pursue nursing from classes which could be occasional on weekends or evenings if order to continue with the current venture. This not only increases job security but also eliminates the risk involved in changing careers. The educational requirements are usually not more than a high school degree, making this the most easily accessible career for aspiring medical assistants.

To become a good nurse one needs to be not only pragmatic but also very gentle. A patient when admitted in the hospital seeks moral support and a warm vibe from staff to get into the positive frame of mind for the treatment. The job of a nurse is to take care of all the factors affecting the patient. Management skills, multi-taking and a positive frame of mind all help in the long run to become a good practical nurse.  Communication skills are vital as well to be a great source of mediator between the physician and the patient. Such traits can never be learnt in textbooks. They need to be acquired by a person. Nursing involves dealing with pressure and acting quickly without compromising on the performance.

If all the above mentioned factors are the essence of your character, or if the positives of this field interest you, then this is the perfect career for you. There are additional benefits of enjoying a great pay package and numerous job opportunities. You can never be unemployed as a nurse as there is a constant need for well experienced nurses in many healthcare facilities, hospitals and clinics.

Category: Medical Assistants