With the promise of almost immediate employment and tremendous opportunities for career advancement, this is the perfect time to consider LPN training. LPNs provide basic bedside care for the sick, disabled and injured under the supervision of RNs and physicians.
In addition to job openings in hospitals and private medical clinics, LPN jobs are also much in demand in nursing care facilities, occupational healthcare, public healthcare and home health.
To make it easier for you to enter this exiting profession, we’ve compiled together comprehensive information on everything you need to know about how to become an LPN.
To be eligible for Licensed Practical Nurse training, you need to be over 18 years of age and should have at least a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). When you enroll in any LPN program, you will first need to take an LPN entrance exam.
The duration of most LPN courses is about 9 to 18 months. Training includes classroom instruction as well as practical clinical experience. Typical course curriculum encompasses the fundamentals of psychiatric, medical and surgical nursing in addition to anatomy, physiology, first aid, nutrition and diet therapy, pharmacology, contemporary health issues, maternal child health and geriatric care.
After completing your LPN training, you will be required to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) so you can receive your license and work as an LPN.
Several reputed schools, nursing colleges and medical training institutes offer in class as well as online LPN training programs. Traditional ‘in class’ programs are more structured and have higher fees whereas online LPN programs are cheaper and more flexible. Online Licensed Practical Nurse classes carry out the mandatory practical or clinical training in medical institutions and hospitals that they are affiliated to.
As a certified LPN, you will have to undertake the following duties under the supervision of an RN or a physician
Certified LPNs can find employment opportunities across several different environments including hospitals, private medical clinics, long-term care facilities, public health services, home care services and occupational health. Hospitals form the biggest employment sector for LPN and the salaries are higher too but the work hours and the work itself can be very rigorous. Which environment is best for you depends upon your mental makeup and your skill sets.
In addition to being caring, sympathetic, detail oriented and responsible an LPN should also have the emotional stability to be able to cope with the tremendous stresses associated with human suffering, emergencies and death.
LPN salaries vary in keeping with the nature of your job, the job environment as also the state you practice in. Average salaries are in the region of $39,000.
Once you have completed your LPN training, you will find plenty of opportunities to expand your career with by taking additional advancement courses such as LPN to RN programs or LPN to BSN programs. There are also courses that enable you to become an occupational therapist assistant or a psychiatrist technician.