What Exactly is LPN and Why pick it as a Career?

Filed Under (Uncategorized) by admin on 27-01-2010

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) are better recognized as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas and as registered practical nurses (LVNs) in Ontario, Canada. A LPN works in a varying health care settings and environment under the guidance of physicians in clinics and hospitals or in a private health care organization. And as for the scope for the LPN job, there is very vast scope exists, yet, within the United States as there 700,000 persons are employed as Licensed practical nurse and licensed vocational nurses in the United States. Historically, the first nurse training was started at the Young Women’s Christian Association in New York City in 1892. And the first official training for the nurses was three months long and was offered at the Ballard School in New York in 1893. Interestingly, many states had not license for LPN/LVNs until 1955.

As far the educational qualifications of LPNs they at least should be high school graduates or should have GED. The education and training for a LPN depends upon the state requirements that can be given at hospital, college. Its duration can extend from 9 month certificate program to 3 years. Under the courses of longer duration a patient can have certain specialties like pediatrics, surgery/ anesthesia, school nursing.

Under their routine working a Nurse Practitioner cares for the sick, injured, disabled or convalescent.  They provide with their caring, sympathetic natures to hospitals, home health care services, nursing care facilities, physicians’ offices and other health care providers and agencies. Under patient care a LPN takes vital signs, collect patient information, injects injections, prepare patients for personal hygiene tasks, collect lab samples, take care and feed infants and supervise nursing assistants and aides.

As for the salary structure of LPNs as according to Bureau of Labor Statistics the average salary for LPNs ranges in between $31,080 and $46, 640.  Apart from average salaries for nursing assistants in health care services the highest median salaries ranges in category of $38,320 and $37, 880 respectively.  For the educational programs of nursing assistants the courses typically involves the duration of one year of training at a hospital, community college or a technical vocational school. However, a student should be well aware of the program where he is taking admission into should be approved from the Board of Nursing in order to qualifying for nursing licensure. After earning a nursing degree from a recognized body a graduate should pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).

Now coming to the last and most important issue of LPN is the total cost incurred in completing a LPN degree. According to the status of the school, tuition cost for licensed practical nursing degree programs ranges in category of $2,000. For eligible yet poor students there is a provision of financial aid and scholarships.

LPN Programs

Filed Under (Uncategorized) by admin on 05-01-2010

Licensed practical nurses, LPN, also referred to as licensed vocational nurses, LVN, are medical practitioners who work under supervision of registered physicians and nurses to treat patients in convalescent homes and hospitals. LPNs are responsible for caring for the sick and disabled people by providing bedside healthcare. Some of their duties include recording vital signs in a patient, collecting blood, urine etc. samples for testing, conducting day-to-day laboratory tests, administering injections to patients, and dressing and taking care of wounds.

In addition, licensed practical nurses also provide basic healthcare to patients like checking patients’ temperatures, taking blood pressure, and monitoring treatment in general. They help to evaluate the needs of the patient, supervise the general care that is provided by nursing aides and develop care plans for their patients. In a doctor’s office, the licensed practical nurse will be responsible for keeping records, arranging for appointments, and performing any other clerical work. For a smooth running of a clinic or hospital, the licensed practical nurse should be present. There is a shortage of nurses in the world today and you can grab this opportunity to train as a licensed practical nurse. LPN can work in any area of the healthcare so once you train as one you will be ready to work in any office in a hospital or clinic.

If you have decided to pursue training leading to a career as a LPN, the first thing that you need to know is to understand the process. It is not very hard to be a LPN. You have to start by taking one of the LPN programs and then it is followed by a test that is referred to as the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) and once you are through with this examination and then you will be an LPN officially. In the process you will have to choose the type of LPN programs to take and further choose the state that you will love to work in. Most of the candidates who wish to pursue a career as an LPN are often scared by NCLEX-PN but in reality, there is nothing much about this examination.

The type of LPN program you choose to take must be approved by the state’s Board of Nursing. This LPN program consist of a one year training whereby you will learn the various skills that are vital for you to work effectively and efficiently in the field. You will find that there are two ways of taking your LPN program – online or offline. Both the online and offline programs are viable and it depends on you which type to take. Once you have decided to take either the online or offline program, you will need to compare the available programs.