Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse

“Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse” is a mouthful! So, what does it mean exactly? A Licensed Practical Nurse is someone who has completed at least one year of nursing education and tested with the Board of Nursing. A Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse specializes in caring for children.

As a Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse, you’re a Nurse who cares for children, from newborns to teenagers. Not only is the age range wide, but you also treat a variety of illnesses. You see patients with broken bones and other injuries, those recovering from surgery, kids who have terminal illness, and babies with respiratory problems. And that list barely scratches the surface.

Regardless of the illness, your job as a Pediatric Licensed Practical Nurse is to assist the Physician. That might take place under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. What exactly you do on a typical day depends on where you work, which might be a family practice, an urgent care facility, a hospital, or even the patient’s home.

You’re like the Receptionist at a big corporation in that you’re often the first person the patient meets. You gather information about vital signs and symptoms, and make an assessment. You might also prep the child for surgery or testing, insert an IV, gather bodily samples, administer immunizations, change bandages, or hook up equipment.

In addition to your medical knowledge, it’s important that you have the communication skills needed to explain procedures to parents and patients of all ages. This allows you to build trust and provide outstanding care to the children who need it most.