Updated Practical Nurse Program Information for 2017
Completion of a Licensed Practical Nursing program typically results in a certificate of completion or a diploma. These LPN programs will offer students a quick way to enter the field of nursing. Generally, an accredited LPN program can be found at technical schools, community colleges or teaching hospitals. Basic enrollment requirements will include a clean criminal record and a high school diploma or GED.
LPN and LVN titles are often used interchangeably. LVNs(Licensed Vocational Nurses) play the same role as LPNs(Licensed Practical Nurses). The title LVN is used in California, Texas, and Canada. All other states refer to them as the well known LPN. LVN programs follow the same curriculum as LPN schools.
Enrollment Requirements for LPN Programs and Training Information
Students who complete one of the properly accredited LPN programs will be eligible for licensure and employment in the medical field within one to two years. In order to acquire licensure, a graduate will need to pass a national licensing exam and maintain a certain amount of continuing education credits each year. Students will learn both in the classroom and in the field, during which time a student will work in a medical setting. This type of hands on training will prepare them for employment after graduation.
Practical Nursing schools usually require the applicant to have a high school diploma or GED. Some programs require applicants to have valid CNA certification. Most training programs will feature specific class prerequisites, such as a background in science related classes, at the college level.
Licensed practical nursing classes provide foundational training for aspiring healthcare professionals. The training includes an overview of the LPN’s role and responsibilities in the field, in addition to such classes as microbiology, ethical nursing, basic pharmacology, anatomy, nutrition, surgical nursing and geriatrics.
Certificate programs will focus strictly on topics that relate to the nursing field in general and will not require the student to enroll in general education courses, like they would in a degree program. The length of these programs will vary and depend on the school specifically and state licensure requirements.
How Long to Finish the Practical Nurse Program?
Most certificate LPN programs can be completed in one year. The majority of the program will focus on providing patient care, out in the field. After a program has been completed the student will need to take and pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to obtain state licensure for employment. This exam is similar to the NCLEX-RN exam, which is a licensure requirement for registered nurses, however, the RN exam is extensive and also requires hundreds of hours of clinical rotation. The amount of clinical work for the aspiring LPN will vary by state.
Some online colleges will feature LPN programs but these are only available in hybrid format due to the clinical work requirements.
What Does a Practical Nurse do?
An LPN may have more hands on duties than that of the registered nurse and they will often preform the majority of patient care, such as bathroom assistance, ambulation, medication administration and bathing and dressing. Usually, the LPN will be the first healthcare worker that the patient has any contact with. These individuals will begin providing care by taking a patient’s vital signs and discussing the reason for the patient’s visit while also gathering the patient’s medical history.
In class, the program instructor will teach students the correct way to take vital signs such as respiration and blood pressure. Students will practice these techniques on classmates in-class and on real patients out in the field.
Field work is monitored under the supervision of the program instructor and facility staff. Typically, an LPN will not be able to perform certain tasks, such as intravenous shots, starting an IV or assisting during surgery. Smaller medical facilities will train their staff to complete paperwork, deal with billing and perform such clerical duties as updating a patient’s chart or checking their health insurance status.
Training May Differ form State to State
Because the duties an LPN is authorized to perform will vary significantly from state to state or by employer, most LPN programs will include training that is based on state specific rules and regulations for LPNs.
The LPN’s main duties will involve direct care, and because of this, training programs will feature a number of hours that are dedicated to student-patient interaction, in order to allow the student to become familiar with working with patients of all ages.
Some states will allow the LPN to operate ventilators or administer prescription medication. Typically, either a registered nurse or doctor will supervise the LPN while they perform these tasks.
The most common place of the employment for these healthcare workers is long-term care nursing facilities or extended care facilities. They can also work in private practices, clinics and hospitals. However, their duties will be very limited in a hospital setting.
Continuing Education Requirements for LPN Licensure
In order to maintain their license, LPNs will need to complete a specific amount of continuing education courses. These classes are usually available at the same learning institution that the LPN completed their training program. The continuing education classes are designed to keep the LPN up to date with the changes made in the medical field. Refresher courses will also be part of continuing education. Some states will allow the LPN to retake the certification exam, in place of refresher courses.
Often, LPNs will continue with their education and complete nursing degree programs. Most schools will allow nursing students to apply the hours of experience they have obtained on the job towards the required amount of clinical rotation hours for registered nurses.
Online LPN/LVN Programs: Program Flexibility
If you’re interested in enrolling at a correspondence school for online LPN programs, the first step will be to find a program that’s accredited. If a program is not accredited this means that it does not meet state standards for education in the nursing field. This will also mean that you won’t qualify for licensure after the program has been completed.
Many people will enroll in an online LVN program because it allows more flexibility in their schedules. Online programs will allow you to choose a time that convenient for you, allowing you to work around your busy schedule. Because the field of nursing is highly hands on, all accredited programs will require you to spend some time on-campus, for lab work, and additional time working in a clinical rotation.
A clinical rotation will allow the student to work closely with other medical staff, while providing care to patients. Additionally, completing a clinical rotation is mandatory for licensure. If you are interested in an online program and they don’t require clinical work as part of the graduation requirements, then the odds are that the program isn’t accredited. This means that most programs for LPNs are offered in a hybrid format. Some courses will be available online, while other classes require campus attendance.
Another benefit of online LPN programs is cost. Online programs are significantly more affordable than regular, campus based programs, featuring a flat fee, instead of charging a steep tuition fee and charging per class. Financial aid is also an option for online programs and it will typically cover all of the cost. Graduates of one of these accredited programs will earn the same LVN salary as nurses who complete a traditional program.
These hybrid programs are a great choice for people who want to pursue a career in the medical field, but don’t have enough time to devote to full-time programs or degree programs.
Online programs are designed to fit into the lifestyles of working people. The flexible hours will allow the student to work a full time job, without the worry of making it to class. Completing assignments, taking tests and turning in completed work can all be done online. Midterms will usually be taken on-campus. While you do have more freedom when it comes to turning in an assignment, most course instructors will assign a deadline to each one, which is usually a week.
Coursework for LPN Programs
Many people choose the LPN position because it’s a stepping stone into the medical field. These programs take one year to complete, while an RN program can take two to four years and will include hundreds of hours of clinical work. The LPN program will include courses in diet and nutrition, pediatrics, geriatrics, medical ethics, first aid, child development and emergency medical treatment.
After the coursework portion of the program has been completed, students will then be ready to participate in supervised clinical work. The hour requirements for clinical work are usually determined by state licensure guidelines. If a student does not complete the required hours they will not be eligible for graduation or state licensure.