LPN/LVN Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurses take care of people who are sick, injured, convalescent or disabled. They care for patients by assessing, planning, intervention, implementation and evaluation, under general supervision, and in accordance with established practices and philosophy. Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurses work with other professionals to ensure patient care is delivered effectively to achieve desired patient outcomes. The LPN/LVN must effectively interact with the patient and family members while maintaining the standard of professional nursing. There are many travel assignments and jobs available for the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse as the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that nursing is one of the top 10 occupations with the largest job growth. Where would you like to visit? Work in a great environment and enjoy free time seeing places you have always wanted to visit. Many great opportunities await the Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse in today’s market!
Postpartum Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurses must possess all the basic medical skills and knowledge of nursing as well as those required in the OB department. Postpartum LPN/LVN administrates the medications and monitors the state of health of the mother and the baby continuously. The LPN/LVN must handle any emergency that may occur including newborn resuscitation and provide the special care that premature infants and mothers with hard labors require. The Postpartum LPN/LVN will help with basic care of the newborn, help the mother with self care and provide education to the parents regarding important matters in this process. The parents must be given necessary instruction on holding the baby, changing diapers, breastfeeding support, bathing and care of the umbilical cord and circumcision. The Postpartum LPN/LVN must know what is normal for a newborn and what is not. The nurse will watch for any sign of distress and intervene if necessary. Taking blood sugars, doing fundal checks, checking for signs of infection, does post-op c-section care and may have to counsel families with fetal demise. The LPN/LVN must know what to do in a crisis such as diabetic shock, post partum hemorrhage, amniotic fluid embolism, respiratory distress, pulmonary embolism and have the ability to act quickly and decisively. Something small can quickly escalate into disaster and keen observation is required.
The Postpartum LPN/LVN may assist the physician and the staff with whatever they may need to take care of the mother and baby. The LPN/LVN must observe the baby’s behavior relating with mother and also the mother’s behavior relating to baby and her birthing experience. Keen observation and sense of how the communication is established between mother and baby is necessary and being prepared for the possibility of post-partum depression. The Postpartum LPN/LVN should help the bonding between them and encourage skin to skin contact.