Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

What is a Registered Nurse RN and License Nurse Practitioner LPN in USA

The laws would vary by state. RN (registered nurse is higher paying and has a higher sckill leverl than an LPN (License Nurse Practitioner) This is a good description of LPN roles and how they relate to RN:

If it weren't for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), an already overworked staff of registered nurses and nurse practitioners, would find their days even more stressful. LPNs, called LVNs (licensed vocational nurses) in Texas and California can be thought of as those who provide a very personal level of care to the patient.

While they normally work under the supervision of physicians and RNs, their responsibilities increase as they become more proficient. You'll find LPNs taking vitals, monitoring in and out volumes, turning patients to prevent bedsores, treating and/or dressing wounds, providing enemas and much more.

You'll also see LPNs recording vitals, taking measurements of height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration, giving alcohol rubs, helping patients deal with personal hygiene and providing a friendly face and caring heart as each patient journeys toward recovery.

In the old-time war movies, you'd see wounded soldiers speak of an angel of mercy (meaning a nurse), and while LPNs did not exist in those days; today's LPNs are the ones helping patients on a day-to-day basis, providing the personal care a registered nurse or nurse practitioner might be too busy to provide.

Because state laws vary, you'll find some LPNs administering prescribed medicines, starting IVs, while in other states this may not be part of their job description. Because many patients will finish their convalescence at home, it's often necessary for LPNs to spend time with family members, instructing them in the intricacies of home care for a loved one, providing instructions to family who otherwise might seem overwhelmed. (from the newsgroups)

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