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All About LPN Nurse Program

Who Is an LPN Nurse and What Are Their Roles?

LPN is the abbreviation for a Licensed Practical Nurse. An LPN is an important attribute of the healthcare system and is accountable for delivering necessary attention to patients, such as assisting them with eating, dressing, bathing, and other activities. They also support Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors in preserving comprehensive records, ensuring effective communication among the entire medical team, and educating patients and their families on treatments and how to manage sick relatives.

While many nurses stay as LPNs for the rest of their lives, this position may also be a wonderful launching pad. You can advance your degree and earn more money by becoming a BSN-RN or Nurse Practitioner (NP).

LPNs are primarily responsible for delivering appropriate patient treatment and guaranteeing that patients are satisfied and properly cared for. An LPN may be called upon to dispense drugs and do other tasks such as checking blood pressure, injecting catheters, and documenting vital signs.

Educational Requirements To Become an LPN Nurse

Typically nursing positions demand a bachelor’s degree. However, the qualifications of becoming an LPN are far less stringent. You’ll have to register in and pass an approved program alternatively. Community colleges and vocational institutions are where you’ll frequently find them. The Accreditation Commission accredits LPN/LVN programs for Education in Nursing (ACEN). It’s important not to mix up state board approval with accreditation. Your state may authorize some programs, but they are not certified.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) education typically involves finishing a practical nursing certificate or diploma degree and getting state licensure.

To put it simply, being an LPN necessitates finishing an authorized practical nursing certificate program. This is often offered at community colleges and lasts approximately a year. Students may anticipate taking biology, pharmacology, plus nursing courses in addition to clinical experiences.

An LPN curriculum generally lasts 12 months. However, some programs can last as little as seven months or as long as two years.

How To Become a Registered LPN Nurse

For today’s nurses, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is fast becoming the modern instructional norm. While many people want to get a BSN, an LPN does not require a bachelor’s degree to commence their nursing profession. You must obtain a diploma in practical nursing from an accredited educational program to become an LPN. These programs usually last a year and assist aspiring nurses in acquiring basic nursing skills via a combination of classroom and practical practice.

You will be able to appear for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses after receiving your diploma in practical nursing (NCLEX-PN). To work as an LPN, you must meet that standard. After passing the NCLEX-PN, you’ll be able to begin working as an LPN. Working as an LPN while pursuing an ASN or BSN degree is a typical way for nurses to obtain nursing experience. Simultaneously, it also increases their chances of advancing their careers.

Once every few years, LPNs must acquire continuing education credits. To keep their license valid, an LPN must complete a certain amount of hours/units in each state. The most updated information is available from your state’s nursing board.

Working Environment of an LPN Nurse

Based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing and residential care institutions, such as nursing homes, are the main providers of LPNs. In 2018, 38 percent of the 728,900 LPNs in the United States worked in these sorts of establishments.

LPNs offer full-time care for long-term health patients in a residential institution. For specialists who want to establish relationships with their patients, this environment is one of the finest alternatives. Nurses get to know each patient and establish regimens that are ideal for their specific requirements.

An LPN working in a residential facility is usually supervised by a charge nurse, nursing supervisor, or director of nursing.

LPNs are most commonly employed in nursing homes, although they can also be found in various other settings. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) categorizes employers as follows:

  • Nursing homes and residential care institutions account for 38% of the total
  • Hospitals account for 15% of the total
  • Physicians’ offices accounted for 13% of the total
  • Home healthcare services account for 13% of the total
  • Government and military establishments account for 6% of the total

LPNs serve in various settings, including institutions, churches, charities, and research centers, to mention a few. You could also be able to get work in summer programs, cruise liners, or recreational places.

Advantages of Being an LPN

It might take up to four years to earn a professional nursing degree. On the other hand, a practical nursing degree takes as short as 12 months to complete and leads to the LPN job route after passing the NCLEX. That implies you’ll have an extra three years to get expertise and experience in the profession, dependent on your path of education.

Another advantage of enrolling in an LPN school is the number of entry-level positions available. Before choosing any school path, be sure you can find work in the field once you graduate. The good news for prospective LPNs is that entry-level opportunities for applicants with little to no experience are plentiful.

Last but not the least, LPNs can earn a pretty much decent amount per year. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics dated 2020, the median yearly income for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), as well as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), is $50,090 ($24.08 per hour) (BLS). Top-earning LPNs make more than $65,000 per year ($31.50 per hour predicated on a 40-hour workweek).

Conclusion

This article contains in-depth information about LPN nurses, their role, their working environment, and the educational requirements to join this field. Here, you will find all the information necessary to assist you in making an educated and informed decision regarding this profession to help you assess whether or not you will be a good fit for it.

About Rachel

Hi my name is Rachel; a registered nurse. I graduated from one of the best nursing programmes and have been working in the medical field for 10 years. As a licensed practical nurse, I understand the plight that comes with the job. While I enjoy taking care of patients, I understand the long working hours that nurses have to deal with. We spend majority of the shifts walking around the medical centre making sure all patients are taken care of and this requires a lot of work and energy on the feet. https://bestnursingshoes.net has been created to help nurses from different parts of the world find the perfect shoes to reduce the strain on your feet and posture and make the job much easier.

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