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.