Understanding These Difficult Times as a Licensed Vocational

I would like to point out the circumstances we are faced with the overall economy and the great decision you as LVN students (or otherwise known as LPN - License Practical Nurse) have made for your future.

I would like to point out the circumstances we are faced with the overall economy and the great decision you as LVN students (or otherwise known as LPN - License Practical Nurse) have made for your future.

We as a nation are coming to the critical point with the aging of the “baby boomers”. Boomers have left their imprint on every stage of American life they’ve passed through, and there’s no reason to think that the seniors years will be any exception. Let’s embrace this time and understand that with this environment of older Americans come the effects of aging. You as LVN students have chosen a field that will enable you to care for the elderly in your new found LVN / LPN career or should I say future career since you must pass the upcoming California state LVN boards for your coveted LVN license. Remember that this education will allow you to be mobile because as we all know our lives change and our situations can become more complex and/or our families grow. With your decision to enter the medical field you are able to take advantage of the employment opportunities which are exploding in this field. Once again I commend you on your excellent decision to enter the medical field. It is always refreshing to know our choices have been wise. No matter what your current circumstance of life, you have made a wise decision in enrolling in an LVN / LPN program.

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is an LVN school that prides itself on helping out their students. So rather than just sliding by with a passing grade, buckle down and strive for excellence. Grab the learning opportunities that the staff at Gurnick Academy has to offer you. The staff at Gurnick has many years of hands-on nursing experience: take advantage of that fact. Remember that when many industries are struggling with the difficult economic times the medical field is growing at an exponential rate. Take a deep breath and enjoy this decision you have made for yourself. Apply yourself and study, study, study! The harder you work the luckier you will be.

This message of encouragement was written because I too was a nursing student at one time and I can remember the demands of school and how much it meant to me to hear words of encouragement. We all can use some encouragement from time to time and you as students must know that we at Gurnick want you not only to succeed but to excel. Keep up the hard work and do not let yourselves think about the difficult studies but rather the end result of entering your new wonderful LVN / LPN career. Keep on keeping on.

About the LPN Role

The role of the LPN in various health care settings has evolved over the years along with LPN education. The role in Long Term Care has provided hours of competent patient care under the direction of a Director of Nursing and Assistant Director of Nursing who traditionally are registered nurses. The LPN is usually assigned a specific number of patients to render care to following physician orders, nursing orders as well as oversee the personal care needs of the patient or resident by working closely with certified nursing assistants and allied health professionals, i.e. physical therapy, respiratory therapy and activity or recreational therapy to name a few.

However, medication administration is a primary responsibility of the LPN, with

attention given to the efficacy of the drugs and side effects. Nursing notes, nursing care plan updates and nursing summaries that describe the daily and or monthly health status of the patient or resident are standard duties of the LPN in Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Centers throughout the United States. Each state has a specific licensed practical/vocational nurse practice act that defines the duties of the LPN. The scope of practice is directly related to the education and skilled competencies taught during the educational phase of training prior to taking the State Broad of Nursing Examination for licensure.