Leadership role
Licensed Practical Nurse
Gives hands-on nursing care within a state-defined scope, directed by an RN or physician.
Reporting and scope
Reports to a charge nurse, nurse manager or Director of Nursing. Authority covers direct care of assigned patients or residents.
Core responsibilities
- Takes vital signs, gives medications and performs treatments within state scope of practice
- Monitors patients and reports changes to the RN or physician
- Documents care in the medical record
- Assists with admissions, discharges and resident care plans
- Supervises nursing aides in long-term care settings where permitted
How it differs
The CRNA / Advanced Practice Nurse holds advanced licensure and practices with more independence. The Director of Nursing manages the nursing department. An LPN on a Form 990 is usually a highly paid staff member, not an officer.
By organization size
Scope varies more by state and care setting than by revenue. In nursing homes and community clinics LPNs may take on supervision that larger hospitals give to RNs.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: LPN; Licensed Practical Nurse; Licensed Vocational Nurse; Charge Nurse LPN/LVN; Nurse, LPN/LVN; Charge Nurse LPN