12 LPN Skills: Definition and Examples

By ResumeCat Editorial Team
Published September 1, 2022

An LPN is a licensed practical nurse who provides basic nursing care. LPNs are an important part of the healthcare team and play a vital role in patient care. There are 12 essential skills that every LPN should master. These skills include: 1. Patient assessment 2. Nursing diagnosis 3. Nursing care planning 4. Implementation of nursing care 5. Evaluation of nursing care 6. Health promotion and education 7. Infection control 8. Medication administration 9. IV therapy 10. wound care 11. pain management 12. palliative care

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LPN Skills

• Communication
• Documentation
• Medication Administration
• Patient Assessment
• Vital Signs
• Blood Draws
• IV Therapy
• Wound Care
• Patient Education
• Infection Control
• Time Management
• Emotional Support

Communication

Communication is the process of sending and receiving information between two or more people. It is a vital skill for all healthcare professionals, as it allows them to effectively share information with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. Good communication can help to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

Documentation

Documentation is the process of creating and maintaining records of information. It is an important skill for health care providers, including LPNs, because it helps to ensure that patients receive high-quality care. Documentation also helps to protect providers from liability.

Medication Administration

The ability to administer medication safely and effectively is an essential skill for any licensed practical nurse (LPN). LPNs must be able to understand and follow complex instructions, as well as have the physical dexterity to handle medications and equipment. They must also be able to assess a patient's condition and respond appropriately if there are any adverse reactions.

Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is the process of gathering information about a patient's medical history, current symptoms, and overall health. This information is used to diagnose and treat patients. LPNs need to be able to assess patients in order to provide them with the best possible care.

Vital Signs

The ability to take and interpret vital signs is an important skill for any nurse, but especially for those working in long-term care settings. This skill is needed in order to assess a patient's overall health status and to identify any potential problems or changes in their condition.

Blood Draws

A blood draw is a medical procedure in which blood is drawn from a vein in the body, typically for testing or donation. It is important to have this skill as an LPN because it is a common procedure that is performed in many healthcare settings.

IV Therapy

IV therapy is a type of medical treatment that involves delivering medications or other fluids directly into a patient’s vein. It is often used when a patient is unable to take medications by mouth, or when the medication needs to be delivered quickly or in high doses. IV therapy can also be used to provide fluids and electrolytes to a dehydrated patient, or to deliver blood products such as platelets or red blood cells.

LPNs may be involved in administering IV therapy to patients, either under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician, or as part of their independent practice. LPNs who administer IV therapy must have the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and effectively insert and maintain an IV catheter, as well as mix and administer IV medications.

Wound Care

Wound care is the process of caring for a wound, which is an injury to the body that involves the skin or other tissues. Wounds can be caused by surgery, trauma, or infection. Proper wound care is essential to healing and preventing further complications.

Patient Education

Patient education is the process of providing patients with information about their health condition, treatment options, and self-care. It is important for nurses to be able to provide patient education because it can help patients make informed decisions about their health care and improve their overall health.

Infection Control

Infection control is a set of practices used to prevent or limit the spread of infections. It is important for health care workers to be familiar with infection control practices in order to protect themselves and their patients from diseases.

Time Management

Time management is the ability to use your time wisely, and it is an important skill for any LPN to have. LPNs often have a lot of responsibilities, and they need to be able to juggle all of their tasks while still providing quality care to their patients. Time management skills can help them do this by allowing them to plan their workdays efficiently and make the most of their time.

Emotional Support

The ability to provide emotional support is a critical skill for any LPN. As the front-line caregivers in many healthcare settings, LPNs often deal with patients who are experiencing a wide range of emotions, from fear and anxiety to pain and grief. Being able to provide emotional support can help patients feel more comfortable and can make a big difference in their overall experience.

How to improve lpn skills

As the demand for health care services continues to grow, so does the need for qualified nurses. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in providing quality care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home health care agencies. While the majority of LPNs have received training through an accredited program, there is always room for improvement when it comes to skills and knowledge.

One way to improve LPN skills is to seek out continuing education opportunities. Whether it’s taking a class or two at a local community college, attending a conference or workshop, or even completing an online course, staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in nursing will help ensure that you’re providing the best possible care to your patients.

In addition to continuing education, another way to improve LPN skills is to simply get more experience. The more hands-on experience you have working with patients, the better you’ll be at your job. If you’re currently working in a hospital setting, consider asking to be assigned to a unit that you don’t typically work in. Or, if you work in a nursing home, try volunteering to provide home health care visits to patients on your days off. By getting out of your comfort zone and gaining new experiences, you’ll be able to sharpen your skills and become even more well-rounded as an LPN.

Finally, another great way to improve LPN skills is by networking with other nurses. Attend nursing conferences and events, join professional organizations like the National League for Nursing or American Nurses Association, and connect with other nurses on social media platforms like LinkedIn. By connecting with other professionals in your field, you’ll not only gain valuable insights and perspectives on nursing practice but also have access to a wealth of resources that can help improve your own skills.

So whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge base or simply gain more experience working with patients, there are plenty of ways to improve your skills as an LPN. By taking advantage of continuing education opportunities, getting more experience under your belt, and networking with other nurses, you can hone your abilities and provide even better care to those who need it most.

How to highlight lpn skills

As an LPN, you will be responsible for providing direct patient care. This means that you will need to have excellent communication skills in order to effectively communicate with patients and their families. You will also need to be able to work well under pressure, as you will often be working with time-sensitive tasks. Additionally, it is important that you are detail-oriented, as you will need to be able to accurately document patient care.

On a resume

As an LPN, your resume should highlight your skills in patient care, charting, and medication administration. Be sure to include any experience you have in long-term care, home health, or other specialized areas of nursing. Your resume should also highlight your ability to work independently and as part of a team.

In a cover letter

In your cover letter, you should highlight your skills as an LPN. You should include your experience working with patients, your ability to provide care and support to patients, and your knowledge of medical procedures. You should also mention your ability to work well under pressure and your dedication to providing quality patient care.

During an interview

You should highlight your skills as an LPN during your interview by discussing your clinical experience, your ability to work with a team, and your dedication to patient care. You should be able to provide examples of times when you have provided excellent patient care and been an asset to the nursing team. Be sure to emphasize your positive attitude and willingness to learn new things.