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Career Profile: Licensed Practical Nurse
Carlos Camacho, LPN, 20 Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News VA Licensed Practical Nurse
Dept. of Labor, Career Voyages, In Demand: Careers in Health Care
How did you get interested in nursing?
Actually I started out in radiology, but I realized right away it wasn’t for me. I didn’t want to start over, and my mom suggested nursing because there are so many areas to specialize in within the field. So I switched to the LPN program at Riverside Regional Medical Center. I liked it immediately, so I knew it was the right move.
What do you do in your job?
I work on the orthopedic unit. My duties include taking vital signs, changing dressings, pass out meds, giving massages, and assisting doctors as they treat patients. I also help ortho patients with physical therapy. For example, I may go with a patient as he walks around the floor to increase his strength. Or I might teach a patient how to do theraputic exercises in bed.
What training did you get for your job?
I completed an 11-month program that included classroom instruction, lab work and ongoing clinical rotations. In the labs, I worked with dummy patients and classmates who pretended to be patients.
What are your goals for the future?
Currently, I’m working on becoming a registered nurse. After that, I plan to get a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Eventually I plan to get my master’s degree in anesthesia because I’d like to specialize as a nurse anesthestist.
Check out the article The Supply, Demand, and Use of Licensed Practical Nurses.
birchfield1178
3 months ago
2 comments
Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa Iowa is an exellent 2 year college for a RN degree. They have many on line classes. It is inexpensive. There is classwork, clinical work, and labs also. I just passed my boards and I felt well prepared because of what I learned there. I am now working in the ER and working towards my RN. It has been a blast.
granny1
3 months ago
4 comments
For anyone interested: I have been researching online schools and have found INDIANA State has an LVN to RN program. I have asked for info. Should it turn out well, I will share. Granny1
granny1
3 months ago
4 comments
I am an LVN, school in Riverside. Calif. I am now retired but would like to complete my RN and would like to do it online if possible. Does anyone know of any online schools that allow LVN to RN?
irma45
5 months ago
2 comments
wtg
acmsexydiva23
6 months ago
10 comments
Thats good .I plan on doing the lpn at riverside also was easy to get in the program?
sidNJ
6 months ago
2 comments
I was a teacher for 15 yrs before I decided to change career. I attended a LPN school, which was very close to where I live, while teaching fulltime. That was three years ago. After passing the NCLEX-PN, I quit teaching and worked as a full time nurse in a nursing and rehab facility.
Nursing is not an easy job; it entails a lot of patience, intelligence, common-sense, compassion, and a genuine love to help people. Working as a LPN in NJ, I am exposed to a lot of acuities-- tracheostomy care, wound care and a lot more that challenge myself to continously learn and improve my skills.
Shifts could be hard as one has to work every other weekend, but once the nurse gets adjusted to this work sched, it isn't really that bad.
I still miss teaching so I work as an adjunct, but I consider myself a fulltime nurse first and foremost.
michelleansley
7 months ago
16 comments
my grandmother was a mother of three and spoiled me to death--only grandbaby. I watched her go through the years, taking care of an ill, unfaithful, and abusive marriage. She came home after working 2nd shift late one night, and died from a heart-attack right infront of me. That was the first time I realized what nursing was about. I want to oneday hang my nursing license on the wall next to hers, except I am going for my RN. She was one helluva woman. She managed home, sickness, career, and a grandbaby. I hope that I can be half the nurse that she was.
lovelpn06
8 months ago
2 comments
I am a LPN in newport news, va also and am interested in working at riverside. I was wondering what is the peds floor like. I am currently working at CHKD but the drive is too far for me especially since riverside is about 10 min from where i live
twilliams
8 months ago
2 comments
What test will i need to take in order to get into a nursing school in Kentucky ?
MZ_DANA82
9 months ago
2 comments
DO ANYONE KNOW ANY SCHOOLS THAT DO ONLINE CLASSES SO I CAN BECOME AN LPN?I'M NOT A CNA BUT I DID HAVE MY CHHA LICENSE
hurricane87
9 months ago
6 comments
how can i get a job there or can someone help me to get one.
luvjones
10 months ago
36 comments
I hope my journey will as exciting as how yours sounds Carlos. All the best!
Awujo
11 months ago
2 comments
Congrats to you Carlos!!! I am a Registered Nurse,liscenced to practice in Nigeria.I wish to practice Nursing in America.I like the process you went through.I wish anyone can help me advice me on how to go about it or to help me with information about Schools that offer LPN programs,maybe i can get admission for the program.Better still information on hospitals that can hire me as a foriegn trained nurse.I need your advice.
DUKE2008
11 months ago
34 comments
CONGRATS TO YOU!! IN MISSISSIPPI IT WILL TAKE YOU 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE LPN PROGRAM. I WAS GOING FOR THE RN PROGRAM, WELL I STILL AM, BUT I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL TO TAKE THE LPN TEST. WHATEVER OPPORTUNITY COMES MY WAY, I AM GOING TO TAKE IT. I STARTED OUT AS A RADIOLOGY MAJOR, TOO AND I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS FOR ME. I ALWAYS WANTED TO BECOME A NURSE SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL AND IT KIND OF STUCK WITH ME. IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVICE ABOUT THE TEST THAT IS TAKEN BEFORE YOU GET CHOSEN FOR THE LPN PROGRAM AND THE INTERVIEW, THEN I AM ALL EARS. I REALLY NEED SOME HELP!
rere
12 months ago
2 comments
what school did you go too i live in hanover park il