OnlineNursingClasses.netBecoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Registered nurses aren’t the only healthcare professionals that can expect fast job growth in the next few years. Licensed practical nurses, health professionals who work under RNs and physicians, will also have great job opportunities. Here are the basics of the LPN profession, and what you can expect from LPN online degree programs.
The Role of the LPN
Licensed practical nurses play a key support role in many healthcare settings. While RNs are in charge of administering meds and consulting with doctors, LPNs help deliver the basic care that patients require. LPNs take vital signs, collect samples for lab tests, and keep an eye on the patient’s condition for any signs of change. They may work in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, or a number of other healthcare settings.
As the U.S. population ages, LPNs will be in greater demand in many areas of healthcare, and excellent job prospects are expected. The middle 50% of LPNs earn $33,000-47,000 a year (BLS).
Online/On-site LPN Programs
Online LPN programs work in much the same way that undergraduate nursing degrees do. Students take online college courses that cover nursing topics, while attending clinicals on-site in a hospital or other facility in their community. These programs last about a year, when students take a full-time course load. Unlike undergraduate programs, however, most LPN certificates do not include liberal arts requirements. These programs tend to be much more career-focused, and not as concerned with building a general liberal educational foundation.
Since LPN programs are so short, there is a big emphasis on clinical experiences right from the start, even during the first semester. It’s also normal for students to take two different clinicals during one semester, in separate topics. For example, a program might include clinicals in Geriatrics and Administering Medication during the student’s second term.
These clinicals are usually accompanied by a theory class, which is taken online; a hospital experience in a Maternity ward might be taken along with a course titled Maternal Care Theory, which discusses the ideas behind best practices in the care of mothers and newborns.
Becoming Licensed
Licensure is required before practicing as an LPN in all states. The main requirement is graduation from a state-recognized program and a passing score on an exam. Students should check for other potential licensing requirements with their state’s nursing board.
The test LPN certificate graduates are required to sit for is the National Council Licensure Examination in Practical Nursing. The NCLEX-PN is given via computer, and asks questions in four areas of practical nursing: health promotion, physiological integrity, psychosocial integrity, and safe and effective care environment (BLS).