Nevada LPN Requirements and Training Programs

NevadaAs the health care industry increases emphasis on advanced degrees the healthcare reforms, it could easily lose focus on the vital role of Licensed Practical Nurses. Hospitals in Nevada and other states diminish their roles in inpatient care, but there are numerous opportunities for LPNs to practice in outpatient and community care. Due to the increasing healthcare needs of the senior population, LPNs are a mainstay in long-term care facilities and home health care. Nurses with specialty training may also find employment in dialysis centers and the surgery, maternity, and emergency departments of leading hospitals.

The Licensed Practical Nurse is a regulated health professional. The Nevada Board of Nursing works diligently to ensure the scope of practice and education preparation correlate. Accordingly, state LPNs are well-fitted with the essential knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and critical thinking to contribute to patient care in all its phases.

LPN Programs in NV:

LPN Programs Las Vegas, NV

LPN Training Nevada: Prerequisites and Program Content

Nursing education prepares students to address complex health concerns and work within the scope of practice defined by the Nevada Board of Nursing. Poor education will not only affect the student in the short-term but also lead to costly mistakes as the LPN begins practicing as part of a health care team. The Nevada Board of Nursing maintains strict requirements for nursing education and monitors training providers to ensure they provide the type of education that will contribute to qualified graduates who deliver high quality care.

There are currently three approved practical nursing programs in Nevada. The programs ensure students receive a well-rounded education, comprising of classroom, lab, and clinical training. The didactic and skills training are powerful tools what graduates use to positively impact the lives of the patients they serve. In its commitment to professional care, the Board also requires LPNs to continuously improve on the education they earned by meeting the continuing education requirements during each renewal cycle.

Anyone with a high school diploma, a criminal-free background, and a desire to care for others can benefit from a practical nursing program. Applicants must be at least 18 years at the time of application and consent to a criminal background check, routine drug screening, a physical exam, and TB clearance. The school may also request letters from two references and base their decision to enroll on the outcome of an admissions test and interview.

The scarcity of credible schools in Nevada also makes for a competitive application process. With a 65% acceptance rate, applicants must put their best foot forward when seeking enrollment. The programs cover core areas in preparation for the NCLEX-PN and future employment, so prospective students must have a foundation in anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and chemistry or take them as prerequisite courses before seeking admission to the nursing program.

After completing the didactic and clinical requirements of the program, students will earn a certificate or diploma, which will grant them eligibility to take the NCLEX as part of the process for state licensure.

Duration and Cost of Training: The estimated cost of completing a 60-week practical nursing program in Nevada is $29,000 plus expenses for textbooks, uniform, medical supplies, and administrative fees. Students must complete the criminal background check, physical exam, TB testing, and immunization at their expense. Other costs include transport to and from the clinical sessions and completion of prerequisite courses. The estimated cost covers full-time attendance; part-time education may cost more in the long run. Financial aid may be available through Federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG).

NCLEX Nevada

Although Pearson Vue administers the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX, it is the Nevada Board of Nursing that decides a candidate’s eligibility to take the test. The Board can only make a decision after the candidate submits an application for licensure and the fee, official transcript from the nursing education program, and livescan or fingerprint card. The applicant must also register for the NCLEX and pay the $200 fee.

There are three ways to register for the NCLEX: the internet, phone, and postal mail. Internet and phone registration require payment by credit card. You can mail the money order or check and the payment voucher (after registering for an account online) as an alternative to credit card payment. Include your email address and check your spam folder for correspondence from Pearson Vue. After the Board of Nursing authorizes your request for the exam, Pearson Vue will send the Authorization to Test letter via email. The letter will contain guidelines for scheduling a convenient test date and center for the exam – you must schedule and take the test within 90 days. The validity dates cannot be extended. There are two testing centers in Nevada – Reno and Las Vegas – but you can take the test at any testing center in the U.S. for licensure in Nevada. Refer to the Candidate Bulletin for critical information on scheduling and taking the exam.

You may receive unofficial results within 24 hours of taking the exam, but the Board will not issue a license until the official results are available. You will receive the results via postal mail – the Board will not give results over the phone. You can check the status of your licensure using the Verify a License on the Board’s website. If you fail the exam, you can retake it after 45 days after submitting a new registration and fee.

Nevada LPN Licensure Requirements

Graduates of approved nursing education programs must apply to the Nevada Board of Nursing for a license before practicing. To qualify for Nevada licensure by exam, you must have a U.S. Social Security Number, pass the NCLEX-PN, graduate from an approved nursing school, complete and submit a fingerprint card, and obtain criminal background clearance.

All applicants (licensure by exam and endorsement) must complete a fingerprint card (Form FD-258) provided by the Board of Nursing. Nevada residents may submit their fingerprints via livescan in place of the fingerprint card. An applicant residing in another state must request the board-provided card and complete the fingerprints at a law enforcement agency. The agency must mail the completed card directly to the Board of Nursing.

An interim permit is available upon request and submission of the permit fee. The permit is only available to persons taking the NCLEX for the first time. The Board will grant the 90-day permit after reviewing the official transcript (proof of graduation) and the application for licensure. The permit will expire upon notification of exam failure – even if there’s time remaining on the interim permit.

Licensure By Examination

Apply to NCLEX Testing Service at the same time you submit your application for licensure.

Following are some guidelines for submitting an application or licensure by exam:

  • Complete and sign the application form. An application devoid of a U.S. Social Security Number will be considered incomplete.
  • Enclose the non-refundable registration fee of $90 using a money order, cashier’s check, or personal check payable to the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Visa, MasterCard, and DiscoverCard are also acceptable forms of payment.
  • Request your official transcript from the nursing program sent directly to the Board. The transcript should indicate the type of degree. For Nevada residents, the nursing education program must send an affidavit of graduation to confirm your eligibility for an interim permit. Graduates of foreign programs must request a CGFNS/CES Professional Report sent directly to the Board.
  • Complete the fingerprint card or livescan if you reside in Nevada.
  • Submit a detailed letter of explanation and copies of documents from the state where there has been action if you answer “yes” to any of the Application Screening questions.
  • Sign and date the application and mail to the Board at the address provided below.

The application is valid for one year from the date the Board receives it. Follow up with the Board to determine the ongoing status of the application. The address provided on the application will become the address on record. Notify the Board within 30 days if you change your address. Nevada does not issue a physical license card. You can check the status of your application using the verification section on the Board’s website.

Licensure By Endorsement

If you’re currently licensed in another state, you must submit an application for licensure by endorsement if you wish to transfer your license to Nevada.

Following are the steps to apply for licensure by endorsement.

  • Complete and sign the application for endorsement. Include your U.S. Social Security Number or the Board will consider the application incomplete.
  • Enclose the non-refundable registration fee of $95 using a money order, cashier’s check, or personal check payable to the Nevada State Board of Nursing. Visa, MasterCard, and DiscoverCard are also acceptable forms of payment. The fee includes $5 for the national database check.
  • Provide a copy of your evidence of graduation from a nursing education program. The school’s registrar should issue a copy of your certificate or official transcript directly to the Board. The document should indicate your degree and graduation date. If you graduated from an international nursing program, you must submit a copy of your transcript indicating the degree and graduation date. The Board will determine if you need to complete a CGFNS/CES Professional Report. An English proficiency test may be required for applicants residing in the U.S. less than five years prior to the application for licensure.
  • Verify your license through Nursys if your original state of licensure is enrolled in the system. If your original state of licensure does not participate in Nursys, you must send the Endorsement Form with the appropriate fee. The licensing agency must complete and return the form directly to the Nevada Board of Nursing.
  • Complete the fingerprint card or livescan if you reside in Nevada. The Board cannot issue a license before reviewing the report from the Nevada Department of Public Safety and FBI.
  • Submit a detailed letter of explanation and copies of documents from the state where there has been action if you answer “yes” to any of the Application Screening questions.
  • Sign and date the application and mail to the Board at the address provided below.

The application for licensure by endorsement is valid for one year from the date of receipt. It is your responsibility to follow up with the Board and provide any outstanding documents within the period. You must submit another application and fee if you fail to complete the application within the stipulated one-year provided and wish to obtain a license by endorsement.

A temporary license may be issued if you qualify. The temporary license is valid for 6 months and is non-renewable. The Board will process your license within one week if you submit all the required documents and meet all the requirements for licensure.

Renewing Your LPN License

LPN licenses expire every two years. If you wish to renew your license, you must:

  • Have practiced nursing in any US state, within the last five years – includes paid or volunteer work.
  • Complete a Board-approved refresher course if you did not practice nursing.
  • Complete thirty hours of continuing education units (CEU) within the 24-month renewal period.
  • Complete a one-time bioterrorism course, which should be 4 hours minimum. The course may be counted as part of the 30-hour CEU requirement.
  • If your license has been expired/inactive for more than five years, you must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check.

If you meet the renewal requirements, you should submit your renewal request online. A paper renewal application is also available, but it delays processing. The Board will process a complete application within one business day, and you can verify your licensure status using the online verification system.

The renewal fee is $100.

Salary and Job Outlook LPNs Nevada

Nationwide, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 25 percent increase in employment for LPNs over the next five years. Nevada had 2,300 active LPNs in May 2014, giving it a small location quotient compared to the national average. The preponderance of Registered Nurses and shortage of practical nursing education programs are just two factors that account for the scarcity of active LPNs.

As health authorities and government agencies consider seriously the value that LPNs bring to the patient care team, especially their contributions to long-term care, there will be increased demands for their services. The figures, abysmal as they may seem on the surface, bodes well for new nursing graduates, who have a 99.99% chance of securing employment in hospitals and long-term care settings within a few months of graduation. At a median annual salary of $52,760, Nevada’s LPNs earn 15 to 25 percent more than LPNs in other states.

Contact the Board of Nursing
Nevada State Board of Nursing
Las Vegas Office
4220 S. Maryland Pkwy., Building B, Suite 300
Las Vegas, NV 89119-7533
(702) 486-5800
(888) 590-6726 (toll free)
(702) 486-5803 – General Fax line
nursingboard@nsbn.state.nv.us

Reno Office
5011 Meadowood Mall Way, Suite 300
Reno, NV 89502-6547
(775) 687-7700
(888) 590-6726 (toll free)
(775) 687-7707 – General Fax line
(775) 687-7729 – Compliance Department Fax line
nursingboard@nsbn.state.nv.us

Nevada Board of Nursing Approved Training Programs and NCLEX Pass Rates

Henderson, NV LPN Training Programs:
College of Southern Nevada
700 College Dr, Henderson, NV 89002
(702) 651-3000
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%

Las Vegas, NV LPN Training Programs:
Kaplan College – Las Vegas
3535 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 368-2338
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 95.24%

Nevada Career Institute
3231 N. Decatur Blvd. #319, Las Vegas, NV 89130
(702) 209-0030
NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 62.50%

 

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