For a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, helping people is the top priority. Overall LPNs provide physical and emotional care for the sick, injured and handicapped. Specific duties range from taking a patient's blood pressure to starting intravenous fluids to assisting emergency staff during operations. Because a patient's well being depends on quality care from LPNs, responsibility and emotional strength are prerequisites for the job. If you're interested in this career, you must be observant, able to notice changes in a patient's condition, and take quick and decisive action in any situation. Since LPNs play an active role in teaching people how to stay healthy, you should also be willing to be called upon to teach family members basic nursing tasks or to speak to children about good health and diet habits.