You are here

LPN Programs

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

There is not a day that passes in the hospital without the need for a nurse. High demand for skilled and trained nurses has opened up many job opportunities for those who are considering a career in the medical field. Today, the nurses are one of the most important professionals in the health industry, because of their major roles in administrative services and patient care There are different kinds of nurses in the health industry; a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is one of them.

What is an LPN?

LPN stands for licensed practical nurse. A licensed practical nurse is a professional nurse who works closely with registered nurses and doctor to preform health care services, such as helping patients to dress and collecting samples for testing. At times, they are also assigned nursing assistants and aides to supervise and educate in a hands-on work environment. The origin of licensed practical nursing can be traced back to around 1945, when licensing standards for nursing were put in place. Today, the profession has become so enviable that many high school graduates seek to know how they can become a part of the team.

How to Be a Licensed Practical Nurse

The job requirements of a licensed practical nurse require a certain level of education and skills set. Training programs and classes are available to prepare and educate future nurses and teach them they skills needed to succeed. One can take a training program in a community school, technical school or nursing college. It takes about one year to complete the training. After the training, one still needs to sit for the LPN licensing exam. Passing this exam is required to work as a licensed practical nurse. In licensed practical nursing, courses to take include anatomy and physiology, pediatric nursing, medication calculation, nutrition and psychiatric nursing.

LPN Nursing Jobs

There are several job options an LPN can choose from. Licensed practical nurses work in health care institutions, such as nursing homes, hospitals, home care and doctors’ offices. Diverse career options and a high demand for skilled professionals make LPN programs a great career investment. LPN programs have even been made more accessible with the availability of online LPN nursing classes. A lot of new licensed practical nurses are getting well paid by taking part in the opportunities provided by LPN travel nursing jobs and other industry positions for hands on experience. Find an LPN job.

LPN Salaries

Although it takes between one and two years to get licensed as a practical nurse, there are encouraging rewards for LPNs once they make it into the nursing job market. Annually, most licensed practical nurses are paid between $25,000 and $40,000; pay can fluctuate based upon the nursing industry and economy. The difference in salary earned also depends on the work place of the nurse. For instance, nurses that work in nursing care facilities usually earn higher than those that work in the doctor’s office.

While considering enrolling in an LPN program, it is important to pay attention to the different LPN programs offered by different colleges and vocational schools. Any institution that claims to be capable of inculcating the right skills should be checked for verification. Normally, good institutions that offer LPN programs have several testimonials that can attest to their high qualities and standards.

More information about LPN and nursing can be obtained from the links below: