What are the duties of a licensed practical nurse?

The LPN is skilled in many areas of nursing and depending upon the state or area they are working can do (more or less): wound irrigation, dressing changes, giving a patient medications ordered by a doctor (including injections), assessing a patient for problems, assisting a patient with the activities of daily living, and educating patients. Also in some areas the LPN is also allowed to start IVs or give IV medications (again, this depends upon the state or area the LPN is practicing in). The LPN is almost always required to work under a doctor, registered nurse, or advanced practice nurse (a nurse who has gone on for more licensure and schooling above the standard RN duties).