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LPN Career Interview
Nadine Mileski has been a licensed practical nurse for 32 years, and she currently works as an outpatient coordinator/office manager at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. She is also the chairperson for the LPN Forum of the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA).
LPN Career Path
Nadine’s passion for helping people steered her toward becoming a licensed practical nurse.
“I knew that I wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl,” says Nadine. “When it came time to choose how many years to invest in education for the career, I decided to become an LPN because that was a 1-year course, and I wanted to get out into the working world.”
LPN Experiences
Nadine attended Princeton Hospital School of Practical Nursing in Princeton, New Jersey, which no longer exists.
“I chose this school because it was a hospital-based program, and I felt that I would get more practical experience in a hospital setting, which proved to be correct,” she explains. “In a given week, we spent 3 full days on the floors and 2 full days of classes for the rest of the week.”
“This prepared me as a new graduate to work in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), being monitored by wonderful registered nurses and fellow LPNs,” Nadine continues.
As a fledgling licensed practical nurse, Nadine worked in the ICU, CCU, Emergency Room, and the regular medical surgery floors. She also worked as a charge nurse in a local, extended-care facility, where she administered medications and treatments and supervised nursing assistants.
Nadine recalls how, as a recent graduate, she stayed with a patient in the ICU throughout the entire night. The patient survived because of her work and the help from her fellow employees.
“The doctor was in and out through the night and as I was leaving to go home, the doctor went out of his way to thank me for helping to save his patient,” she explains. “That was one of the most rewarding times of my career. It was then that I knew I could make a difference in someone’s life.”
As Nadine’s family grew and her hours became more limited, she began working in primary care physician practices.
“My duties consisted of assisting with examinations, venipuncture, EKGs, scheduling appointments, triaging phone calls and physician billings,” she says.
Nadine has been working as an LPN for 32 years.
LPN Degree Programs
As Nadine stated, the education program to become a licensed practical nurse is appealing because it is shorter than other nursing and medical career options
“In order to enter an LPN program, you must have a high school education and take a pre-entrance exam,” Nadine explains. “If you are able to get into a program, the courses are extensive, and there is a lot to learn in a short amount of time.”
“You must be disciplined and be prepared to study, and attention to detail is crucial,” she adds.
LPN Job Description
Nadine is the outpatient coordinator/office manager for a cardiothoracic surgeons practice at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey.
“My duties consist of coordinating the surgery schedule for 2 surgeons, whose practice consists of open heart, vascular and lung patients,” she explains. “It is quite challenging, and no two days are ever the same.”
“I visit patients before surgery to answer any questions that they may have regarding their procedure, to help allay any fears, and to sometimes just hold their hand and listen,” she continues. “I am also responsible for discharging the patient and acting as a liaison between patient and doctor.”
Nadine also cares for patients if need be during their post-operative check-ups, and she handles tasks for patients such as taking them to the appropriate departments for tests. She also has duties outside patient care, such as handling insurance-related problems and billing/ordering supplies for the office.
LPN Daily Routine
“A normal day for a licensed practical nurse consists of being emotionally and physically available for their patients,” Nadine explains. “You need to always keep the best interest of your patient foremost in all that you do. LPNs have to communicate with fellow employees and be professional. They have to put forth a smile even in the most hectic of situations.”
LPNs might also have to give medications and administer treatments for the patients depending on where they work.
LPN: Steps to Success
As with every profession, licensed practical nurses have to be professional in both attitude and appearance.
“If you exude confidence, then you will receive the respect that you so richly deserve,” says Nadine. “Strive to be the best you can be, and always seek the opportunity to learn.”
LPNs also need to be patient because they have to deal with people in their most vulnerable state.
“Once you have lost the ability to extend a hand to comfort a patient or grieving family, then you have lost your edge,” Nadine adds.
LPN Favorite Aspect
“Being able to advocate for my patient and being able to make a difference in their life,” says Nadine, “whether it be carrying out the doctor’s orders for medications and treatments, or just listening and offering a smile and a warm touch.”
LPN’s Future Ambitions
Although Nadine considered going back and earning a degree to become a registered nurse (she even took some classes in preparation), those plans have never matured. However, that hasn’t stopped her from dedicating her life to helping people just the same.
“I have always strived to be the best licensed practical nurse I could be, and although I have not obtained a degree, I received the award for Nursing Excellence for my hospital,” she says. “I have strived to become active for the benefit of the LPN and to help keep our profession an integral part of the nursing profession.”
Nadine helps LPNs as the chairperson for the LPN forum of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, which promotes continuing education for LPNs.
Advice for Prospective LPNs
Nadine recommends anyone considering a nursing career path to evaluate where he or she wants to be in the next 5-10 years as they plays a major role in choosing between becoming an LPN, a registered nurse (RN), a certified nursing assistant (CNA), or several other areas.
“However, enter the field only if you truly want to make a difference in a patient’s life,” she advises. “Always strive to be the best you can be and enter nursing for the right reasons.”
