A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is an individual who has completed a training program and been certified by the state to provide basic nursing care. The LPN may work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or independently as long as they have met all legal requirements and obtained any necessary certification. LPNs are qualified to administer medications, treat patients with common ailments and minor injuries, administer IV fluids, monitor vital signs and perform other duties usually performed by nurses in hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities.
Colleges That Offer Lpn Program
What to Know About LPN Programs
As the name implies, an LPN is a licensed practical nurse. The role of an LPN is to provide direct patient care under the supervision of doctors and other medical professionals. They must be able to complete a nursing diploma program that includes classroom and clinical training.
A typical day for an LPN will center around providing physical care and medical treatments to patients in hospitals, clinics or other medical institutions. For example, they may help patients move around during their stay at the hospital by assisting them with walking and bathing rituals. They also administer injections in some cases while assisting doctors with surgery procedures.
It’s important to note that not all states require prospective students wishing to become an LPNs get a degree from accredited programs; however, these schools are highly recommended because they offer more flexibility when it comes time for you apply for certification exams like NCLEX-RN or PNCLEX-Practical Nurse Certification Exam (PNC). If your state does require this type of education then make sure it’s part of your plan before committing yourself fully into one particular school because some programs take longer than others depending upon location/geography etc…
Job Description
An LPN is a registered nurse who has received additional education to provide basic medical treatment and care. Licensed practical nurses work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, physician’s offices, clinics, schools and the home.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide only basic medical treatment. They do not diagnose illnesses or prescribe medications like registered nurses do; instead they work under the supervision of a physician to provide care for patients of all ages with physical ailments like wounds and infections, injuries requiring surgical procedures such as stitches or casts; mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders; chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus or heart disease; pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia); newborn babies with problems such as jaundice after birth; newborn babies suffering from complications at birth due to lack of oxygen supply while inside the mother’s womb before delivery called perinatal hypoxia (birth trauma).
Admission Requirements
Because you’ll be working with patients, you must meet several basic admissions requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older to begin the program.
- You cannot have a felony conviction, and your criminal record will be checked by the state Board of Nursing.
- You must have a valid driver’s license so that you can travel to clinical sites.
- You must be able to communicate effectively with patients and coworkers, both verbally and in writing, such as via email or text messages. This will also be tested on your entrance exam as part of your application packet when applying for admission through our website (see below).
- As a professional in a team environment, it’s important that you can work together with other healthcare providers to provide quality patient care in an efficient manner—and this will also be tested on your entrance exam as part of your application packet when applying for admission through our website (see below). The ability to work independently is also tested during this process; we want students who are self-starters who can think critically about situations without needing constant supervision from their supervisor or instructor first hand!
Curriculum and Training
The curriculum for a LPN program consists of classroom instruction, clinical experience, observation and simulation activities.
Normally, LPN programs are one year in length and include the following coursework:
- Principles of nursing theory and practice
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Pediatric nursing
- Psychiatric and mental health nursing
- Community health nursing
Programs and Specializations
LPN programs offer a variety of specializations. While some LPN programs are designed for general practice, many others are designed for specific practice areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics or psychiatric/mental health nursing. Some LPN programs require students to complete an internship while others do not.
The length of time it takes to earn an LPN diploma depends on the program’s requirements and whether you complete your clinical hours at a hospital or community setting. Most associate degree programs can be completed in two years full-time or three years part-time while bachelor’s degrees may take four years full-time or six years part-time to complete. Master’s degree programs typically require two years of full-time study, with some schools offering accelerated options that allow you to take classes during evening hours in addition to daytime lectures if needed
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
As a licensed practical nurse, you will have a great deal of opportunities for employment. Currently, there is a shortage of LPNs nationwide and the career outlook is good. The average salary for an entry-level LPN is $44,000 per year, but it can range anywhere from $24,000 to $55,000 depending on location and experience level. The highest paying states are Alaska ($61K), California ($56K), Hawaii ($53K) and Washington ($52K). In metropolitan areas with the highest demand for LPNs are San Jose (Silicon Valley), San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward (NorCal), San Diego-Carlsbad (SoCal), Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Houston-Sugar Land Metro Area in Texas; Denver Metro Area in Colorado; Philadelphia Metro Area in Pennsylvania; Portland Metro Area in Oregon/Washington state; Austin-Round Rock City Region in Texas; New York City Boroughs Manhattan & Brooklyn Combined Metropolitan Statistical Area Areas MSA Areas MSA Areas MSA Areas Rockland County Nassau County Suffolk County Westchester County Onondaga County Essex Co., NJ Middlesex Co., NJ Bergen Co., NJ Hunterdon Co., NJ Monmouth Co., NJ Hudson Valley Region New Jersey Ocean Co., NJ Mercer Co., NJ Passaic Co., NJ Union Co., NJ Essex County Queens County Kings County Bronx Manhattan Brooklyn Queens Suffolk County Nassau Suffolk NY Westchester Manhattan Long Island Nassau NY Westchester NY Long Island Nassau NY Long Island Kings Brooklyn Queens Nassau
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an LPN, this is the article for you.
If you are interested in pursuing a career as an LPN, this is the article for you. As a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can work in a variety of settings and may advance to become a nurse practitioner. Licensed Practical Nurses earn an average salary of $48,000 per year and have been ranked as one of the best jobs by Forbes Magazine. LPNs work on their own as independent contractors at hospitals or other healthcare facilities; they also work under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses while caring for patients who are ill or injured.
Closing
In conclusion, the LPN program is a great way to start your nursing career. It provides you with the training and education needed to become an LPN without spending four years on a bachelor’s degree. With so many colleges offering this program throughout the country, it’s hard not find something that fits your needs.