LVN for Home Health Visits

The licensed vocational nurse (LVN) provides direct, hands-on patient care based on a plan of care developed by the registered nurse in collaboration with the patient and family. As part of the healthcare team, the LVN is included in planning the care for the patient. Depending on the board of nursing scope of practice in the specific state, facility-specific job description and the training of the individual, a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/ LVN) is tasked with many nursing functions. These include taking vitals, observing the patient to report changes in the patient’s condition to the nursing staff, collecting specimens, and giving medications. A primary function of the LVN is assisting the patient with activities of daily living (bathing, grooming, dressing, personal hygiene). The LVN carries out other aspects of the care plan – insertion/removal of catheters, dressing changes, wound care, and reinforcing teaching that was initially performed by the RN or provider.