Practical Nurse

What Does Practical Nurse Mean?

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a medical professional responsible for providing care to individuals who are sick, injured, incapacitated, or disabled. Practical nurses work under the direction and supervision of registered nurses or physicians.

Insuranceopedia Explains Practical Nurse

Practical nurses care for multiple patients with common healthcare needs across various medical settings. Their professional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assessment
• Care planning and implementation
• Patient Education
• Order verification
• Administering vaccines, medications, hydration, and blood products
• Performing Board-specified medical aesthetic procedures

Because LPNs can be held personally responsible for errors made during patient care, most carry their own coverage rather than relying solely on an employer’s policy. Nurse insurance costs vary based on the work setting, hours worked, and whether the LPN is employed full-time or works as an independent contractor.

Becoming a practical nurse generally requires two years of professional training. All LPNs must pass a standardized national licensing exam before obtaining their qualifications and adhere to the licensure criteria set by the Board of Registration in Nursing.

Once licensed, practical nurses working independently or in private practice often look at professional liability insurance to cover claims tied to medication errors, charting mistakes, or alleged negligence. LPNs who provide care in patients’ homes may also need home health care business insurance, which covers risks specific to in-home work such as injuries to clients or damage to their property.