Become an LPN, the Fast Path to a Nursing Career

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Careers

Licensed Practical Nurses provide the most amount of direct patient care within the nursing category of healthcare. If you're interested in a healthcare career dealing directly with patients, becoming an LPN is a rewarding opportunity.

LPN Job Description

LPNs provide a large portion of direct patient care. LPNs may be assisted by nurses' aides ( CNAs ) and other assistants in some of their duties. LPNs are directed by doctors and nurses (RNs & nurse managers). Typically, a LPN's work duties include:

Taking vital signs

Preparing and administering injections and enemas

Applying dressings and bandages

Watching catheters

Treating bedsores

Providing alcohol massages or rubs

Monitoring patients and reporting changes

Collecting samples for testing

Provide patient hygiene

Feeding patients

Monitoring food and liquid input/output

LPNs work in a variety of settings like hospitals, outpatient facilities, long term care facilities, clinics and home care. Tenured LPNs may supervise nursing aides and assistants.

Salary Ranges

While nursing jobs in general are in high demand nationwide, LPN positions in hospitals are declining. However, since this has been caused by an increase in outpatient services, LPN positions in long term care facilities and home health is in as much demand as other nursing categories.

The U.S. Department of Labor has published the median income for LPNs as $31,440 in 2002. The range was $22,860 to $44,040 based on geographic location and work experience. Contract LPNs made the most money, while doctor's office nurses made the least on average at $28,710.

A nursing career offers other benefits including a flexible schedule, a short work week (three 12 hour shifts with four days off), tuition reimbursement and signing bonuses.

Education / Getting Started

Because of the high level of patient responsibility, nursing is highly regulated, requiring both education and a license. Graduates must complete a state approved practical nursing program and pass a licensing examination. An LPN certificate can be completed in less than a year. Some RN students become LPNs after completing their first year of study. Course work in the Lpn program includes anatomy, physiology, nutrition, biology, chemistry, obstetrics, pediatrics, first aid as well as nursing classes.

Becoming an LPN is the fastest path to a nursing career. Advancement can take many forms, but additional education is usually required.

If you possess the traits necessary to become a successful nurse and want to secure a well paying, important profession caring for others, getting an LPN degree in nursing is a great way to secure your professional future.

How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse LPN

A licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse is responsible for patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or sometimes a Physician. When faced with the question of how to become a licensed practical nurse the applicant must look in three areas.

Do you have the aptitude for a career in nursing? Are you able to enroll in and complete the course of study? And the applicant must pass the state licensing examination for LPN.

Becoming a LPN requires that you have the desire to help other people. Most of the patients that an LPN will deal with are unable to care for themselves in regards to eating, hygiene, and exercise.

Will you be able to give injections, monitor catheters, and turn patients that are unable to turn themselves. And can you perform these takes in a caring and empathetic way? Without the ability to be empathetic you will never learn how to become a licensed practical nurse.

College level work in either a technical school or a community college is necessary for those learning to become a licensed practical nurse. Most of these schools require at least a high school diploma for entry.

If you want to become a LPN you should start preparation for the college work in high school. The more you learn and understand at this level the easier the college work will be for you. Your college preparation should include as many science courses as possible. Biology and chemistry are good as they will have a direct application to later learning requirements.

On the college level you will be required to complete courses in Anatomy and Physiology. In addition to the science background classes you will be taking classroom instruction in the introduction to medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatric nursing.

You will also have classes in the administration of drugs, nutrition, and first aid. As your year long course of instruction moves on you will be given the opportunity to learn patient care. You will work under the supervision of other nurses as you learn the practical side of nursing.

The finial proof that you have learned how to become a licensed practical nurse will come when you sit for you license. All states require a license before you can be employed as an LPN or LVN and work with patients. To obtain the license you must obtain a passing score on the state board examinations.

Louis Zhang, Licensedpracticalnursecourse dot com

Why You Should Join an Lpn program

There are a lot of good programs out there that you can get started in. Most schools offer great programs that only their school offers. However, one program that can be found at lots of schools that is great to take is the LPN programs. This is a great program just because of the simple fact that it opens a lot of job fields for you to be in. Truth be told, there are a ton of job fields right now that are looking for people who have taken LPN programs. This is because LPNs can be used at more places than just hospitals. In fact, a lot of retirement homes need these kinds of people on staff all the time. They need someone that has been trained like a nurse to be able to preform simple nurse functions, and that is what an LPN can do. Of course, in some states they can do more than just basic functions. In fact, a lot of them can even do IV drips for people. However, most LPNs are used to bathe, clean, and work one-on-one with people.

LPN programs are pretty easy to find. These are programs that are offered at a lot of schools, but there are a lot of classes that go with them. The main thing to note is that some LPN programs can change, depending on what school and what state you go to. However, there are some things that are in every program no matter where you go. Things like basic nursing and so on are classes that you are going to have to take. Whenever you are taking LPN programs, there is a good chance that you will end up taking classes like psychology and so on. These are classes that a lot of people have to take, and it helps them when working with people.

When looking for these programs, there are a few things that you have to keep in mind. First of all, before you can get your license, you do have to take a big exam that everyone has to take. If you do not pass the exam, then you do not get your license. On top of that, you need to note that you have to get your degree from a program that is at an accredited school. A lot of people like to take online courses, and that is fine. However, if you are going to take online courses, then you need to take them from a school that is accredited. You can find out if a school is accredited by looking for reviews on that school and so on.

Overall, you are going to want to take LPN programs. This is a type of program that is going to open your future to so much more. If you have been looking for a program that is going to not only make you a lot of money, but also let you give something back to the community, then this is the program for you. It's nice to be able to have a job that is as rewarding as this one.

Online LPN to RN Bridge Program Benefits

Due to increasing demands at home, busy work schedules and diversity of roles it is hard for nurses to further their career or obtain a degree. But with the advancement in technology, today we have the opportunity for a higher education through distance learning, a nontraditional way to earn a degree, which was not as readily available in the past. Today, most colleges or universities offer both traditional and nontraditional nursing programs often called "Bridge Programs" allowing nurses to obtain an LPN to RN, Paramedic to RN, RN to BSN, or BSN to a Masters Degree.

Traditional and nontraditional LPN to RN Bridge programs are quite different in many ways. With a traditional nursing program the student has a structured atmosphere, face to face interaction with the instructors and other students, and onsite resources are available. The disadvantage of a traditional program is that most nursing programs only start once or twice a year with a limited number of students that are accepted into the program as well as most schools choose their applicants based on a point system which limits those who are accepted into a program. With today's nursing shortage, traditional nursing schools lack nursing instructors to teach the programs.

A nontraditional LPN to RN Bridge program is an appealing alternative to those who wish to further their education but due to family, work or other obligations are unable to attend a traditional program. The benefits of a nontraditional LPN to RN Bridge program are that one can usually start at any time and the school usually does not have a limit on the number of students to attend. The classes can be taken at the convenience of the student allowing them to be flexible with work or their family.

In studies that explored distance education in nursing programs several studies confirmed that the students who took online courses showed equal if not better achievement of program outcomes when compared with students in traditional nursing programs. The studies indicate that the education delivered via online is at least equal and, in many cases is superior to traditional education (Legg, Adelmen, & Levitt, 2007, p. 65). A study performed by Shachar & Neumann (2003) demonstrated that in two thirds of the cases, the students who took courses using distance education "outperformed their student counterparts enrolled in traditionally instructed courses" (Shachar & Neumann, 2003, p. 1). Thiele (2003) reported that nursing students who took online courses became more independent and self-disciplined learner (Thiele, 2003), (Legg et al.)

The goal of the nontraditional LPN to RN Bridge Program is to make it easier to obtain a nursing degree for students who work full time, have unusual work schedules, are single parents or are unable to enroll in a traditional nursing program. Studies show that program outcomes with the nontraditional nursing programs are at least equal, to if not superior to the traditional nursing program. Many nurses find that learning through distance education provides a practical and acceptable alternative for degree completion.

Online LPN to RN Bridge Program Explained

LPN refers to Licensed Practical Nurse, one of the entry level practitioner qualifications to the nursing vocation, whereas RN refers to Registered Nurse, which is widely considered to the qualification that makes one a 'professional nurse' capable of making major nursing decisions in a healthcare setting. Put another way, the Registered Nurse's position is a decision making position in the nursing system, whereas the Licensed Practical Nurse position is a decision-implementation position in the nursing system.

Although there are practitioners who enter into the nursing vocation directly as registered nurses, a majority of would-be professional nurses start out as Licensed Practical Nurses (wherever the qualification is accepted), before moving to climb higher onto the nursing career through programs like the increasingly popular online LPN to RN bridge.

At its core, then, the LPN to RN Bridge is basically an instructional system, through which any ambitious Licensed Practical Nurse can get to upgrade to being a Registered Nurse (basically building on the skills they already have by virtue of their Practical Nurse Licensing, and adding onto them the professional skills they need to become Registered Nurses).

In a way of speaking, then, the LPN to RN Bridge can be seen as the bridge through which a nurse gets to move from being basically a 'manual worker' in the healthcare system, and into being a professional 'knowledge worker' in the same healthcare system. Although there are some places in which Registered Nurses get directly involved in the physical aspects of patient care (which can be a vocationally rewarding undertaking anyway), but for the most part, the Registered Nurse is a 'nursing supervisor' of sorts, who is supposed to use her (or his) advanced nursing training to make the major nursing decisions, which are supposed to be physically implemented by lower cadres like the Licensed Practical Nurses.

Online learning, on the other hand, has found easy application in Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse bridges for a number of reasons. The first of these, of course, is the fact that Licensed Practical Nurses seeking to upgrade into Registered Nurses are typically already working in the nursing field, so that getting a place for them to do the practical aspects of Registered Nursing training is not really hard. Getting a place for Registered Nurse practical training (as all nursing training is made up of both theoretical and practical modules) can be tricky in most cases where the students does not have a place to do the practical modules, but in the case of LPN to RN bridge training, this tends not to be too much of a problem, as the LPN is typically already practicing.

The nursing practitioner who opts for the online LPN to RN bridge, of course, has a chance to move up their career ladder with lower monetary investments (as the online LPN to RN bridge is typically cheaper than LPN to RN programs run in brick and mortar nursing schools). Of course, this is in addition to the fact that the online LPN to RN bridge does not require for the nursing practitioner to get separated from their family (as they can learn at home during 'after-work' hours), which is unlike the probable case with brick and mortar school run LPN to RN bridge programs, that typically require study travel and separation from family.

Teach Online Classes - 4 Reasons Why Students Fail and How to Weed Them Out

When teaching online classes you will find that there are 4 very specific reasons any of your students might fail to succeed in accomplishing all that thy could. Now I'm not talking about those who quit due to a family emergency. I'm referring to those who stay in the program for its entire duration and still fail to achieve the expected results.

Most often the student holds the trainer at fault and the trainer holds the student at fault, so how can we predict who would be an ideal student? First we must understand what the most common causes for students to fail are.

1.Indecision - Maybe you didn't clearly outline exactly what the outcomes would be upon completing your program. Maybe they aren't sure they want to sped that much money. Either way they face some level of indecision with your program, and it will show up in their end results.

2.Commitment - Maybe they are spread out to thin, maybe they have too many pokers in the fire to solidly commit to another project. But you sold them into a training program and now they are likely to fail because they do not have the tenacity to stick with their commitment.

3.Familiarity - Maybe they have never enrolled in a program like this before and they are unfamiliar with the demands or expectations of this type of training. If not you can be sure of the fact that they are likely to get confused with even the most mundane of tasks, add to that difficulty anything they should have known before enrolling but don't and you can see a failure heading your way.

4.Adaptability - This is a matter of personality, being properly matched with the best curriculum to help them at their level with their goals. There is no short cut to matching the right needs with the right provider and services. With that being said every student has varying degrees of ability to adapt to new demands or expectations, this by itself can cause massive failure even with the best of intentions.

You can weed out those students who would likely fail your class by interviewing your student before enrolling them. Inform them that you teach an online class and that type of learning is unlike many other forms of learning.

Begin by asking them;

How they adapted to the challenges? Why they want to take this course? Why they think they will succeed? What they will need to succeed? What they have done in the past that's similar to this course? What they will gain by taking this course? What they will do if they fail this course?

These questions will give you significant insight into the student and there likely chances of succeeding with you teaching your online class.

Tips on Resume Writing For LVN LPN Nursing Professionals

According to Beth Lytle, eHow Contributing Writer, "Today's job market is tough, regardless of how much experience and training someone has. The nursing field is a competitive and popular field to get into. The pay is decent and the benefits are great, but finding a full-time LPN position after school may be more difficult than you may think. That is why it is so important to write a resume that is both objective and eye catching, but without going over the top."

When you write your objective statement, write a concise statement that focuses on the type of position you are seeking and the environment in which you would like to work. Beth Lytle, states," most resumes start with an objective for the introduction. This is important. She considers this to be the "hook," meaning that if it does not catch the reader's eye immediately, the resume may be put into the reject pile. The objective should be brief and should not be written in the first person. For example, instead of saying, "I am a recent graduate with professional experience..." the interviewee should write something like, "recent graduate with professional experience..."Avoid the use of "I" and "me" and stick with clear nouns, active verbs and adjectives to describe the objective."

The next section should be where the job shopper should list his/her qualifications. According to Beth Lytle, she states to be specific, "but do not offer too much information. One method of listing this information is to list the health care organization name on the first line, followed by the diploma or certificate information that was received on the next line, along with the location and any other relevant information listed on the third line."

Knowledge and experience - where this section goes depends on personal preference. Ms. Lytle goes on to state that some people choose to list this information toward the end of the resume, after the employment information, whereas others choose to list it after the certification information. Choose the location that feels right or looks best and include a bulleted list of relevant information and experience. Lytle states to avoid making the list too long (listing about 10-15 things is OK). Examples of things to list include specific health care-related training, rehabilitation services and other similar information that pertains to the health care field.

Undergraduate clinical training and health care employment information listing depends upon the person doing the resume. Beth Lytle states that, "some people list the employment information next and then list all remaining information afterward, the undergraduate information can be listed next."

Ms. Lytle goes on to state the employment information should be specific but brief. List the job title first (bold) on the left side of the page and dates of employment on the right (bold). Include the company or organization name (can be in italics) underneath the job title. You can include a bulleted list of job duties (list no more than five), briefly describing the duties for each specific job (keep this section brief and do not use paragraphs, one to two sentences or one to two word descriptions are sufficient).

Should You Get An LPN Degree Or An RN Degree? The Answer May Surprise You

There are two basic types of nursing degrees - licensed practical nursing degrees and registered nursing degrees. The registered nursing degree is a more advanced type of degree and involves more supervisory duties; a licensed practical nurse will report to a registered nurse. Because the registered nursing degree requires more education and demands more managerial duties, the registered nursing degree comes with a significantly higher salary.

However, there are advantages to pursuing a Licensed Practical Nursing degree - at least to start out with.

There are much shorter waiting lists to get into LPN programs than there are to get into either two-year or four-year registered nursing programs. The only requirements to get into most LPN programs are a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to pass an entrance exam which requires college level algebra and an English test.

To get into a Registered Nursing program, a student must first take at least eight prerequisites, including Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Psychology, Nutrition, Microbiology, and several other classes. After a student gets their license in practical nursing, it is very easy to get into what are called LPN to RN "bridge" programs. These are offered online and at many community colleges.

A degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse is the fastest way to find out if nursing is for you. It gives the LPN to work in a healthcare setting and interact with patients and their families. It also provides the opportunity to observe what an RN does every day and what their duties and responsibilities are. And if it turns out that nursing is NOT the career for you, you've only spent a year in school finding it out rather than three or four.

Also, many people prefer to remain as LPNs, because they have more opportunity for patient interaction, and less time managing and supervising.

Online lpn programs - Starting Your Career in Licensed Practical Nursing

A licensed practical nurse, or an LPN, is considered one of the most important members of the health care team. LPNs are health care professionals that are mainly responsible for providing bedside care to patients who are sick, injured, or disabled. They constantly monitor the patients' vital signs and their overall medical condition, noting abnormalities or significant changes, which are immediately reported to registered nurses or physicians. For these reasons, LPNs work closely and constantly communicate with other members of the health care team to ensure that the delivery of patient care is both consistent and continuous.

In addition, LPNs are tasked with performing some fundamental clinical procedures such as enema administration, collection of specimen, and laboratory testing. They are also responsible for assisting patients with the activities of daily living, like bathing and ambulating, especially if they are incapable of accomplishing these activities themselves because of physical limitations and fatigue.

LPNs can administer some prescribed medications, depending on the state where they work. Most, if not all, states do not allow LPNs to administer IV push and chemotherapeutic drugs. LPNs encourage wellness and health management by properly educating the patients and their families on how to assume responsibility for their health. Moreover, LPNs are also tasked to supervise nursing assistants.

The LPNs have a wide-ranging role in the field of health care, making them vital members of the health care team. It is not easy to work as an LPN, since it is a physically and emotionally demanding job, involving many hazards and stressors, but if helping the sick and making a difference is fulfilling to you, a career in LPN can be a rewarding job.

The most recent advances in medical sciences, combined with the latest developments in computers and information technology resulted in the creation of online LPN programs, which are offered by technical and vocational LPN schools, colleges and universities. Before registering for any of these online LPN courses, ensure that they are accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission or NLNAC to ensure that one can sit in the licensure examinations given by the National Council of the State Boards of Nursing or NCSBN.

Completing an accredited online LPN course is recognized for continuation of education. The curriculum of online LPN programs are outlined after the curriculum used in LPN schools, thus, the standard of education is well-maintained.

The online LPN courses consist of modules, each with a corresponding number of credit hours. Some courses are entirely completed online, meaning, there is no need for the student to travel to a certain area. Some modules consist of supervised and hands-on clinical practicum set in health care facilities, which mainly develop and evaluate the technical skills of the students as they integrate their cognitive knowledge in practical nursing to actual patient management.

The prospective LPNs are supervised by experienced LPNs. Online modules are accessed through the internet at any time, whenever it fits your schedule. Thus, the students are given more time to concentrate on certain topics. Though online LPN classes are self-paced, the student is expected to complete modules within certain number of months. LPN programs consist of courses in fundamentals of practical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, nutrition and dietetics, medical-surgical nursing and psychiatric and mental health nursing.

What Is an LPN to RN Bridge Online Degree Program

An LPN to RN bridge online degree program is meant as an articulation course for licensed practical nurses (LPN) to become registered nurses (RN). By availing this program LPNs can obtain advance credits for their RN programs. The LPN to RN bridge online degree program enhances the skills that LPNs have acquired and readies the students for their role as an RN. An aspirant to the LPN to RN should have an LPN registration or he should be eligible for an LPN registration in the US. At the end of the LPN to RN course, you qualify for the NCLEX examination that is compulsory for becoming a licensed registered nurse.

This is a three-credit course and at the end of the course the LPNs earn around 15 credits for their RN degrees. These advance credits mean that an LPN has to spend less time and effort in acquiring an RN degree. This program helps working LPNs to move up the career ladder and become RNs. It is an excellent career option for those who wish to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for nurses in the United States. You can move into leadership roles and the experience will stand you in good stead when you decide to do an MSN.

While choosing an online LPN to RN check the number of students from that course who actually go on to acquire an RN degree, try and gauge the satisfaction levels of those who are taking the course and those who have finished it. There are many online forums where you can do this. Choose an LPN to RN program that offers you the freedom to manage your work, family, and studies. Look for programs that offer you the course on reduced fees or if you qualify for a fee reimbursement. A program that allows you to secure a place for clinical learning at your workplace will help you save on commuting time. Compare accredited schools and look for one that offers you the most credits.

LPN Training Online - Should You Bother?

LPN or Licensed Practical Nursing is an educational qualification that will help you pursue a rewarding career in nursing. You have two options: you can apply for a regular course or you can opt for LPN training online. There is practically not much of a difference in regular and online courses. The online nursing courses are meant for all those who are want to pursue LPN degree while working part time.

One of the most important aspects to check while looking for schools offering LPN training online is their affiliation and certification. You will find the top 10 or top 20 nursing schools over the Internet that offer online courses and degrees in nursing. These are the schools where you will find accredited courses. Accreditation holds a lot of importance especially when it comes to applying for LPN or RN licensure. For example: if you apply at the Central Carolina technical college in South Carolina then you will find that the college and their nursing courses were accredited in February 2000 and their recent evaluation took place in July 2007.

You have to look for colleges offering LPN training online that has been accredited by NLNAC (National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). NLNAC is responsible for accreditation of specialized nursing courses and programs in the US and these include Practical Nursing programs, Master's Degree, Clinical Doctorate, Baccalaureate Degree, Diploma courses in Nursing, and Associate Degree. The important thing to remember is that completing an accredited LPN online course will help you further your career.

LPN - Career As a Practical Nurse

Are you one of those who feel great satisfaction while helping people who are in distress? Or do you have deep interest in making your career in healthcare industry dealing directly with patients then LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) is a career meant for you. Today nursing job is great in demand in different parts of the world, not in big cities but in smaller cities as well. So, if you thinking about making your career as LPN then its time that you make a clear note that choosing this career offer you great employment opportunities as its necessity is going to increase every year. Practical Nursing is one of the most demanded positions in the 21st century.

The career prospect for LPNs is definitely brighter and high in comparison to all phases of nursing. In fact in the coming few years it is predicted that job opportunities will increase by at least 15%. The majority of these will be in home healthcare settings and skilled nursing homes. The major problem that many leading health centers or hospitals face these days is the growing population of patients continuously. As a result due to shortage of proper trained and licensed practical nurses, many of them are discharging patients before time. Ultimately the need for more licensed professionals to care patients is growing to increase further.

Apart from this the best part of an LPN job is that you can get to learn so much. This is the one of the few nursing professions in which you are in a direct contact with the patients to the fullest extent. Being a licensed practical nurse you are responsible for several aspects of the patient's treatment process, right from the phase at which vital signs are taken till the recovery after operation and discharge procedure. Work duties can also include feeding patients, collecting samples and providing patient hygiene. Over the past few years, licensed practical nursing has turn out to be one of the better paying jobs. What makes these jobs more attractive is the fact that it offer a very good scope to get into contractual jobs. You can easily get contracted jobs to look after patients in their homes. If you are lucky enough, you may easily get such contracts at much higher pay, though at times there may be a bound contract for some length of time.

So, now in order to become a licensed practical nurse, you should have proper diploma or degree from Practical Nursing Collage or School. Besides this, for those who are graduates must complete a state approved practical nursing program and pass a licensing examination. Moreover, an LPN certificate can be accomplished in less than a year. Course work in the Lpn program primarily includes subjects like physiology, obstetrics, pediatrics nutrition, biology, anatomy, first aid and nursing training classes.

Today selecting a profession as a licensed practical nurse has generated tremendous scope for professional development. If you have the qualities required to be a nurse and want a decent paying job, getting an LPN degree in nursing is surely one if the best ways to secure your professional future.

LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) Job Description - They Perform a Much Needed Service

If it weren't for licensed practical nurses (LPNs), an already overworked staff of registered nurses and nurse practitioners, would find their days even more stressful. LPNs, called LVNs (licensed vocational nurses) in Texas and California can be thought of as those who provide a very personal level of care to the patient.

While they normally work under the supervision of physicians and RNs, their responsibilities increase as they become more proficient. You'll find LPNs taking vitals, monitoring in and out volumes, turning patients to prevent bedsores, treating and/or dressing wounds, providing enemas and much more.

You'll also see LPNs recording vitals, taking measurements of height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration, giving alcohol rubs, helping patients deal with personal hygiene and providing a friendly face and caring heart as each patient journeys toward recovery.

In the old-time war movies, you'd see wounded soldiers speak of an angel of mercy (meaning a nurse), and while LPNs did not exist in those days; today's LPNs are the ones helping patients on a day-to-day basis, providing the personal care a registered nurse or nurse practitioner might be too busy to provide.

Because state laws vary, you'll find some LPNs administering prescribed medicines, starting IVs, while in other states this may not be part of their job description. Because many patients will finish their convalescence at home, it's often necessary for LPNs to spend time with family members, instructing them in the intricacies of home care for a loved one, providing instructions to family who otherwise might seem overwhelmed.

LPNs and Babies: Because policies often vary from state to state, or in a particular hospital, it's difficult to provide a definitive answer LPN's job description, some LPNs would be involved with assisting in the delivery, care and feeding of a newborn.

While most LPNs will find they are generalists, meaning their work is in various areas of medicine and healthcare, certain LPNs will spend their time in nursing homes, a doctor's office, or home health care. Certainly LPNs have a place in assisted living facilities or nursing homes where they will assist in the evaluating of residents, develop plans of care, and of supervise nurses' aides.

You might find an LPN in a doctor's office or clinic, being responsible for appointments, scheduling flu shots, filing medical charts, etc. LPNs are vital to the smooth flow of the health care profession and without them; RN and NP would certainly find their jobs more difficult. While we've sought to give a general feeling of an LPN's job description, the particulars may be unique to their place of employment.

Remember this as you consider your career as an LPN. Doctors and administrators may be at the top of the ladder, but nurses and LPNs are the heart and soul of the healthcare industry.

LPN Schools - You Can Make $42,000 a Year As a Licensed Practical Nurse

Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is one of the fastest and easiest ways to begin working in the medical field. LPN Training programs can be completed in as little as 6 or 7 months to a year if you are only going to get your hospital certificate or up to 2 years if you decide to get an LPN associates degree from an online, community or trade school.

What do LPNs do?

As a certified LPN, or LVN you work under the direction of doctors and registered nurses (RNs). Your job would be do things such as:

· Take vital signs

· Gather and record patient information

· Give injections/shots

· Collect lab samples and/or perform lab tests

· Help and care for patients

How much can LPNs earn?

The salary for LPNs varies between approximately $32,000 and $42,000 per year. Factors that affect the amount you make primarily are where you work. As an example, and LPN working at a nursing care facility start somewhere between $37,880 and $38,320 compared to an LPN working in a hospital who would start closer to $35,000 per year.

Even with a slow economy right now, one industry that is very strong is the medical industry. People with LPN/LVN certification are in demand more than ever.

How can you get certified?

You would want to check with your local school or online school for the specifics of their program. Typically LPN training involves one year of training at a hospital, community college or trade school. Where ever you chose to study, just make sure that your school is approved by your state's Board of Nursing. You can check with your school to find this out.

Once you complete your training you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). You can find out more information about taking this examination from your states Board of Nursing, such as fees, requirements and scheduling the exam.

Another bonus is that you can apply the course work you complete in your LPN training towards becoming a Registered Nurse if you chose to do that some day. There are many specialized LPN-to-RN programs available that are designed specifically for getting you to that next level of nursing. Having prior nursing experience as an LPN can help you complete a RN program a little faster. You should be able to test out of some classes based on your experience.

Where do I find LPN Schools?

There are many websites online that list various schools with LPN programs. I generally break them down into two categories, online schools or community/vocational colleges. Either option is fine and the choice to attend one over another should be based on your own personal circumstances. Online colleges are very convenient and flexible. You should also consider the cost of one schools program over another.

It is worth your time to first gather the information about the programs offered in your area, then take a little bit of time to examine the pros and cons of the various programs.

One final piece of advice, I would recommend finding two to three quality programs in your area (either local or online). The reason for this is because due to the demand for LPN training you may find that your fist choice school may have a waiting list. This may not be a big deal for you, but if you are wanting to get started as soon as possible then having a back-up plan is not a bad idea, in other words, if one school has a six month waiting list, then you may want to go with your second choice school assuming they will still provide you with all the training you need.

Nursing Online - Online Programs For LPN And RN Degrees

With a large number of nurses retiring per year, the nursing shortage is continuously on the rise. As the demand for nurses is expected to create more than a million jobs, more people are turning to the nursing profession in hopes of finding a stable career. Student applications to nursing schools are growing and a lot of students are being placed on waiting lists for over a year before they could start their training. Fortunately, students who want a career in nursing have other options aside from enrolling into a traditional nursing school. These days, it is not rare to find students enrolled in online schools to get their degree in nursing. While some students have to wait for as long as 3 years to get accepted into a traditional nursing school, those who choose to go into distance learning can immediately start their RN training as long as they meet the program requirements.

More people are starting to choose studying online as this allows students to advance their career without having to quit their current jobs. Those who have family responsibilities are often skeptical about going back to school because they do not want to lose working hours just to attend their classes. Online studying makes it possible for students to earn their degree without having to change their current work schedules because they are given flexible hours. Working students can also learn at their own pace right in the comfort of their own home.

Aside from offering flexible schedules, online programs can lower the cost of education for its students. Housing costs, student association fees, and even the cost of textbooks are reduced. In addition to these eliminated costs, commuting expenses are lowered since students will not have to go to school for classroom instructions. Students in an online RN program or an online lpn program, however, cannot fulfill their clinical training-hours requirement online. They will still need to complete their on-site clinical rotations at an accredited nursing facility.

Since there are many advantages to distance education, nursing schools which offer online programs are expected to grow in numbers in the next few years as more people would prefer to get their nursing degrees online. Due to a positive job outlook and an attractive income, more people who have non-nursing bachelor's degrees are encouraged to change their career paths and study nursing. Because these individuals are currently working, they would prefer to complete their nursing education at a school which offers flexibility in schedule. Online nursing programs will also save them travel time especially if they don't live near any traditional nursing schools.

Online nursing schools offer degree programs that are similar to that of the LPN and RN programs in traditional schools. However, the most commonly offered degree online is the RN-BSN and BSN-MSN degrees. Online schools also offer classes that are not part of the LPN or RN program curriculum but serves as supplements to those courses. Some of the popular online classes include nursing theories, health management, ethics, health assessment, and nursing strategies.

An LPN to RN Bridge Online Degree Program Explained

An LPN to RN bridge online degree program is an educational program that a licensed practical nurse can take to earn a higher degree in nursing. This degree qualifies the student nurse to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The NCLEX is a required examination that all nursing graduates must take and pass to become a licensed registered nurse in the US.

Is the move from LPN to RN a feasible career direction for you to take? Yes. There is a growing scarcity of registered nurses. One that a World Health Report- 2003 (WHO) acknowledged: "The most critical issue facing health care systems is the shortage of people who make them work".

In the USA today, statistics show that there is a population on ratio of 773 nurses for around 100,000 patients (The Global Nursing Review Initiative-2005).

Clearly, there is a wealth of job opportunities for an LPN looking for career advancement as an RN in the health care industry. As an RN, you will gain better autonomy. You will also be in the best position to assume a leadership role and substantially increase their ability to earn.

Is there one particular LPN to RN bridge online nursing degree program that you should be looking to join? No - the one that works is a program you have designed for yourself.

As an active LPN, you will be juggling a fulltime job while studying. The first step then is to evaluate your personal circumstances and your career goals.

Ask yourself these questions:

How will you be able to devote sufficient time to learning, while functioning at work and participating in your family's lives? Can you rely on your family's support to take on or rotate some of these domestic tasks with you?

Second step - inform the human resources department about your career plans. Their assistance will help you several ways:

1. Rescheduling work shifts.

2. Recommendations and guidance on hospital supported programs, as many hospitals offer tuition reimbursements.

3. Assist you in securing a position in your workplace, for your clinical learning experiences. This is a requirement of both online and offline nursing programs.

Third step - do an engine search for the different schools. Check out their programs. Submit your accomplishments to the accredited schools and then compare which among these will give you the most credits to becoming an RN. Most virtual schools give 30 credits to licensed practical nurses.

Last step - Once you have selected the program to enroll in, use the school's resources. Most schools will assign you a guidance counselor to assist you with the application process, identify financial aid resources, and help you create a schedule that suits your work and personal schedules. This will help you on your path to bridge the LPN to RN career path.

Difference Between CNA And LPN

We know there are different types of nurses working in hospital some perform the basic tasks and some perform the major task and have more responsibilities like Licensed Practical Nurse. They play a very important role in the healthcare profession. The licensed practical nurse usually help patients in many ways, they provide the basic help like a CNA provides by feeding, moving patient in bed, help the patients walking, surgical dressings and help them to maintain their personal hygiene.

The Licensed Practical Nurse also supervises the nursing assistant. They also collect information from the patients about their health history and how they are feeling presently, they share the information with the registered nurse and doctors for better patient care. They also monitor and operate the medical equipments and they also help registered nurses and physicians to perform some tests.

The LPN training is based on the two parts one is the theoretical which covers the major science subjects and also pharmacology, first aid, anatomy, physiology, paediatrics, medical- surgical nursing, and nutrition. For clinical part of training, students usually go to different wards and work their under supervision of the senior staff. There are some universities and colleges that have the different arrangements for such activities. After finishing the training you will be appearing in the exam,

The National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX-PN students must have to pass this exam to get the license for nursing. A practical nurse is allowed to practice without license. The exam is a computer based exam and duration is different according to the states. This license exam is administrated by The National Council of State Boards of Nursing. After passing the exam you will get the license so you can start working as Licensed Practical Nurse.

They should be able to work under supervision and follow the instruction by registered nurses and doctors. There are great career progressions while working in nursing home, a licensed practical nurse can become a charge nurse who supervise the certified nursing assistant and also the licensed nurses. A licensed Practical Nurse earns from $33,360 to $46,710 annually however in some cases they earn up to $53,580.

LPN to RN Bridge Programs - Easy Credits For What You Know

You've finally made the decision: You've been an LPN for a while and have put your dreams of becoming an RN off for long enough: you've decided to become an RN through an RN bridge program. You've weighed the pros and cons of attending a traditional nursing school to the bridge programs offered in a nontraditional setting (i.e. online schools) and, unlike a traditional program, the nontraditional LPN to RN bridge programs are a perfect fit for your busy life and other responsibilities: your job, your family, not to mention the simple lack of time and high cost of traditional nursing programs. With an online RN bridge program you can get credit for a lot of what you already know and make up the rest through credit by examination, a much more convenient method. Here's an overview of how Credit by examination works in an LPN to RN bridge program:

Assessing your needs

o As an LPN, (or other allied health professional), you already have clinical experience, practical skills and academic credit that you can use toward an RN degree. The school you plan to get your degree from will examine all of this information and assess where the "gaps" (lack of credits) are; you, in turn, will create a "bridge" to fill those in by taking credit-by-examinations. For example, if your LPN to RN bridge program requires you to have 3 credits in English Literature and you have never taken that course, this is a "gap" that you will need to fill in and earn credits for. This can be accomplished through credit-by-examination.

What is Credit by Examination?

o Credit by examination is one of the most efficient and convenient methods you can use to earn college credit. Instead of enrolling in a traditional course offered in a classroom setting (often every day of the week), you can use your knowledge, experiences and study resources to "test out of" or earn credit for, a given subject. This is a one-time examination that you will receive credit for after having successfully passed it. It will take the place of a traditional college semester class. In addition to saving valuable time, credit-by-examination saves you money! Credit-by-examination classes can cost as little as $65 per credit, whereas community colleges charge $300.00 and upward for a three-credit course!

Where can I earn credit?

o You can use one of the well-established credit-by-examination programs such as CLEP (College Level Examination Program), DANTES (Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support), or ECE (Excelsior College Examinations). Excelsior College offers nursing credits you will need for an AASN RN degree. You can obtain your ASN degree entirely through credit-by-examination in an online LPN to RN bridge program. o Credits earned this way are accepted at accredited schools across the country. Many schools give the same amount of credit as their own similar courses.

Where do I get my Study Material for my RN bridge program?

After you know what credits you need to complete your degree, you can contact CLEP, DANTES, or Excelsior College to obtain information about tests offered, study materials you may need and test dates. Your options are nearly limitless when it comes to locating resources to prepare you for your exams. You can obtain study material from college textbooks, reference books, study guides purchased online or through bookstores, library rentals and friends.

Online LPN Degree - Truth or Scam?

Nursing school programs all over the country are turning away qualified students because of the nursing teacher shortage.

As a result, these days, more and more people are searching for an online LPN degree to get past those nursing school waiting lists.

Well, there's good news and there's bad news for those folks.

The fact is, there is no way to get your LPN degree online.

That is because during the Licensed Practical Nursing program, a lot of the learning is the hands on, practical stuff. LPNs interact with patients while being trained and observed by registered nurses known as proctors. It is during the second year of learning that nurses learn the classes that they are able to take online. Those classes are more heavily focused on management and theory.

In fact, there are a lot of nursing skills that can only be learned by doing them, and practicing them on a real live person. The idea of a nurse who learned absolutely everything online, frankly, a scary one. And it would be quite unsafe.

There are, however, numerous LPN to RN online programs, paramedic to RN online programs, and even respiratory therapist to RN online programs. They are offered by private, expensive degree colleges but they are also becoming increasingly popular at community college because of the nursing shortage and the desperate need for registered nurses.

So it makes a lot of sense for an aspiring nurse to get a licensed practical nursing degree (or, in some states, what is called a licensed vocational nursing degree.) But it can't be done online.

However, the waiting lists for LPN schools are much shorter than those for traditional RN programs. And there are "career colleges" which, while more expensive than technical schools and vocational schools and community colleges, often have no waiting list at all. It is worth exploring those options, because one a student becomes a Licensed Practical Nurse, it is very simple to find a bridge program which will give them their degree as an RN.

But just remember, if you hear someone talking about an "online LPN degree" or "online LPN school" it's pie in the sky - because there truly is no such thing.

LPN Schools Online

Licensed Practical Nurses, or LPNs, are a very significant part of the medical team. They work bedside with patients performing duties that include; injections, medication administration, taking and recording vital signs, and wound care. Licensed Practical Nurses can also specialize in obstetrics, surgery or pediatrics extending their scope of practice and responsibilities. There are a wide range of facilities that employ Licensed Practical Nurses. You can find them in hospitals, doctors offices, home health, public health, mental health and nursing homes. Because of the continued need of nurses there are a great number of LPN schools online. A quick web search will return many options.

Accreditation of the Licensed Practical Nurse Program is very important. This important aspect assures you that any classes that are taken can be transferred for continuation of your education. It also guarantees that your state board of nursing will recognize the school. One of the greatest benefits of LPN schools online is the flexibility that it allows the student. Classes are taken through either teleconferences, video conferences, recorded lectures or typed lectures. Most schools will offer e- mail addresses of instructors for communication. Other options usually include instant messaging or message boards. The student is able to take the class when it is convenient for them.

The only requirements for application into a Licensed Practical Nursing Program is a high school diploma or a GED. After you have researched the available LPN schools online you will find that most programs last for about one year. The curriculum consists of a number of practical nursing skills like; CPR and stabilization of a stroke, trauma or cardiac arrest victims. The academic classes include; biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, some math, drug administration, child growth and development and nutrition. In addition to these classroom hours, there is usually a certain number of required clinical hours. If your taking classes online, the school of your choice will help you coordinate clinical experiences with a facility close to you.

Following completion and graduation of the online, or traditional, program the student is required to take the NCLEX - PN exam to become licensed. Many LPN schools will offer study groups or courses to assist you in passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Once this exam has been taken and passes then the student is qualified to work as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The average pay range for this nurse is anywhere from thirty one thousand to forty one thousand dollars a year. The LPN degree is also a great stepping stone to the Registered Nursing degree.

Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs - How They Really Work

Are you an LPN who is thinking of taking an LPN to RN bridge program? The time has never been better. With the current nursing shortage, which is estimated to reach 800,000 nurses by 2016, your future will be guaranteed. Along with higher salaries and a wider choice of jobs, you will also enjoy the increased respect that becoming an RN will bring.

You are likely already aware of the advantages of taking an LPN to RN bridge program, but perhaps you have been unable to decide whether you should attend a routine traditional program, or pursue your degree through online or distance education. You should first weigh the differences of the two.

Location In a traditional program, classes take place at a set time in a set place, and your physical presence is required. When you take an online or distance learning program, you learn at your own pace, and you study when you have the time, when it is convenient for you.

Cost The cost of traditional programs can be staggering, forcing students to accrue massive debt. Costs are often payable in large increments at the beginning of each semester or year. Online and distance learning LPN to RN bridge programs are often much more economical, and you can pay as you go.

Pace In a traditional program, you are forced to learn at the same pace as the rest of your classmates, according to a set schedule, making it difficult if you wish to work at a faster pace. This can also be a disadvantage should you fall behind. When taking online or distance learning courses, you set the pace of your learning.

Exams In traditional programs, exams are offered at predetermined times. In online or distance learning courses, credit by examination is the norm. Exams are generally proctored, which means that you take an exam, usually online, at a place agreeable to both you and your online program. The benefit to you is that you take your exams when you feel you have mastered the material. Many times, this will be sooner than in traditional programs, meaning that you can complete your degree in a shorter period of time. You also only take one exam per class unlike traditional schools that require quizzes, midterms, term papers etc.

Degrees There is a common misconception that degrees obtained from online and distance learning LPN to RN bridge programs are not the same as degrees obtained from traditional programs. This is untrue; in fact, many well-known and respected universities offer programs and courses online. As more and more people realize the benefits of online learning, more universities will offer programs online to meet this growing need.

Structure Traditional programs are highly structured compared to online and distance learning LPN to RN bridge programs. However, there are programs designed to help you stay on track and complete your online degree in less time than traditional programs. If you are someone who may find it difficult to stay motivated and disciplined, a distance learning program with more structure can help you stay on track in your pursuit from LPN to RN.

Online lpn programs Offer Many Opportunities

There are a ton of great degrees out there that offer you almost endless possiblest. However, one of the best ones that you can choose to go with are online LPN programs. These are programs that open the door to many different job options. Also, if you choose to take these programs online, you are going to be giving yourself more flexible hours to be able to earn one of these online LPN degrees in your spare time. The truth of the matter is this, nursing is listed in the top five of fastest growing professions in the world. This is because many people need nurses. When you think about it, not just hospitals need nurses. In fact, almost every nursing home or retirement home has to have a nurse on staff all of the time. As you can see, getting involved in these online LPN programs is the smart choice.

So now you want to know, what is a LPN? Well, LPN is actually just the acronym for a licensed practical nurse. To make it easier to understand, you can compare a licensed practical nurse to a licensed vocational nurse, because they are pretty close to being the same thing. Of course, why would you choose to take these classes online if you can take them at local schools? Well, the truth of the matter is, most traditional schools fill up very quickly. Some people are on waiting lists for years before they are able to get into a Lpn program at a traditional school. By taking online LPN programs, you are able to get your foot in the door faster and start working towards that degree. The quicker you can get out there and start practicing, the more opportunities that are going to open up to you!

Whenever you start taking these online LPN programs, a lot of times you are going to start off studying things like chemistry and, of course, biology. These are really going to help lay the groundwork for the rest of your schooling, as well as the rest of your career. From there, you are, of course, going to work up to more advanced classes and soon get into classes that are more geared towards helping you to become a LPN. By the time you have gotten your degree, you will have taken classes that relate to psychology, first aid and, of course, nutrition. These are just some of the basic courses you will have to take. Before you can get your license, however, you will have to pass an exam that is made to weed out the people who are not quite ready.

If you are a person that likes to help people, but you are not quite sure what is the best way to go as far as a career goes, you may want to start off with these online LPN programs. They are going to open the door to so many different opportunities that you really can not go wrong with starting off with these programs. From there, if you choose that you want to get into another health care field, you will already have most of the training that you will need to do so.

Online LPN Schools - Getting Into Licensed Practical Nursing

A career in licensed practical nursing shows a lot of potential in terms of the occupation's job outlook, financial security, and stability. It estimated that the high demand for licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, will continue through the year 2016. There is a growing need for LPNs, especially in nursing home facilities and physician offices.

It is imperative that LPNs continuously acquire new and advanced clinical skills and knowledge in the field of nursing. LPNs in the past were frequently not able to attain the education and training that they needed because of the demands and stresses of the job. Thus, job opportunities became limited. But because of the latest technological advances in computers and information technology, LPNs and prospective LPNs can access training and obtain certification through online LPN programs and LPN-RN bridging programs, anytime and anywhere, at their own pace.

The creation of online LPN courses is the response by various educational institutions to the increasing need of LPNs in the field of health care management. To ensure that LPNs can continuously acquire new skills, these learning institutions modeled the curriculum in online LPN programs after traditional LPN classes. Community and junior colleges, universities, hospitals, and technical or vocational schools offer online LPN classes to LPNs who have met their requirements. The modules for each course are accessed through the internet at anytime and each module represents a number of credit hours. Some modules are entirely completed online, whereas others require the students to travel to different health care facilities and complete the required number of hours in developing and enriching their technical and clinical skills in patient care. Through clinical practicum, students are able to incorporate theories and apply knowledge to actual clinical settings. LPN students are supervised and evaluated by experie nced licensed practical nurses. It is worth mentioning that, though students can learn at their own pace, it is important to complete these courses within a given time frame. Thus, it is essential that before choosing to register in any online LPN program, students must learn how to manage their time and consistently practice self-discipline.

Online LPN classes include courses in anatomy and physiology, obstetrics and maternal care, pediatrics, human growth and development, medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric and mental health nursing, first aid training, nutrition and dietetics, management, training and counseling, client and family education, drug calculation and administration, community health, case findings and management, and executing nursing treatment regimen classes.

For LPNs wanting to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing, they are also required to finish online LPN-RN courses within a given time frame. Clinical practicum and hands-on experience in patient care and management in actual clinical settings is a must to develop and improve their skills. Online bridging programs usually include the following classes in the curriculum: health assessment, clinical practicum, advanced nursing, and role development.

LPN to RN Courses - Take Advantage of the Growing Demand For RNs

RN's are the largest occupational group in the health care system; consisting of nearly 2.5 million jobs (60% of which are in a hospital setting). The demand for RN's is growing increasingly fast, with projected employment opportunities to be excellent over the next ten years.

Many RN's begin as LPN's and then enroll in offline or online LPN to RN programs in order to gain the additional requirements needed for RN licensing. There are many schools that offer these programs and the coursework, although it varies from institution to institution, is very similar throughout.

For example, some classes an LPN may need to take in order to meet the licensing requirements for an RN certification include Nursing Systems for Mental Health, Pharmacology, Elements of Microbiology and Introductory Psychology. These courses again, will vary from school to school, but the overall education is primarily the same. Other courses that an LPN may be required to take focus on the areas of Management and Supervision, since RN's are often responsible for overseeing the work of LPN's in hospital settings.

There are LPN to RN schools located throughout country. In fact, nearly all accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools offer courses that will prepare an LPN for their RN licensing examination. After completing the required education and passing the licensing exam, an RN may take a position as a staff nurse in a hospital setting. This is where most RN's begin their careers. With enough experience and good working skills, they may soon find themselves promoted to a position where they have increased responsibility, such as Assistant Nursing Manager or Head Nurse. Other advancement opportunities include Administrative roles such as Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing and Chief Nurse. In order to meet the requirements for these positions, they must have an RN degree.

Registered Nurses are expected to generate nearly 600,000 new jobs over the next ten years. This is currently one of the largest job growth expectations among all career paths. Of course, the employment of Registered Nurses will likely vary by location as well as employment setting. Some may work within the hospital settings, while others may choose ambulatory care, acute, chronic, or home based health care. But these are not the only institutions that will need to employ Registered Nurses. Managed Care Organizations, pharmaceutical producers, and insurance companies use Registered Nurses for things such as marketing, policy development, consulting, and health planning and development. Even colleges and universities use Registered Nurses to conduct research or as university faculty.

LPN's who want to take advantage of the current job rate expectancy for RN positions can easily upgrade their license by studying LPN to RN online courses. There are many schools that allow nurses to study for job advancement, while still working full time if needed. Having the ability to study from home is a major advantage that the online world has given to those looking to further their careers.

From CNA to LPN: A Big Step Forward

There are several licensed practical nurse (LPN) online programs that can be utilized if you want to transform from being a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to LPN and this is made possible because of distance learning. In some online programs of LPN, it is a requirement that the applicants are already CNAs before getting admitted. An advantage of these online programs is the chance it gives to students so they can work at daytime and deal with their online lessons every night or during spare time.

The core of all LPN online programs is a chain of nursing courses that discuss the different theories and ideas about the profession of nursing. The online classes do not only teach and demonstrate future LPNs how to treat patients but they also touch the subject of diagnosing different ailments and how to effectively communicate with patients. Since a CNA is actually a nurse's assistant and does not have the authority to oversee patients and directly take care of them, the curriculum for LPN is usually very new to most students.

The number of courses require in an Lpn program vary. There are programs where the students are required to complete a wide selection of online courses while others require to just completing several courses. Some of these courses on practical nursing can be completed online while some require students to attend personally the sessions so that their mastery on how to care for patients can be tested. Whichever approach is done, the offered nursing courses give its students the education which is enough to prepare the students for the licensure exam of LPN.

Practical nursing requires that a student has a solid foundation of knowledge about the different body systems, organs and tissues of the human anatomy. That's why anatomy course and training are part of the curriculum of LPN programs. Through online lectures a student can learn anatomy and physical laboratory classes can give the students on-hands training about anatomy.

Online courses for psychology are meant to assist future LPNs to have better comprehension on the different behavior and decision processes of patients. Also, through psychology course, the students can have awareness on current social issues that are helpful during treatments and in communicating with patients.

Part of the Lpn program is computer classes where future LPNs can utilize the software and utilities for reports compilation, statistics calculation and Internet searching for information about illnesses and treatments. Also, it's important for a practical nurse to communicate effectively with patients so courses for the basics of good communication skills are part of the learning process. Leadership skill can also be enhanced with the development of communication skills and this is also necessary to become a good LPN.

So far, the most apparent qualification for a CNA to be admitted in one of the LPN online programs is to have experience as a CNA. Although, this is just one of the several requirements needed to qualify for an online lpn program. An interested student should also pass the entrance test. To know more how you can become an LPN, visit www.onlinelpnprograms.com.

LPN Courses Online Make Studying From Home a Problem of the Past

One of the most stable careers one can have is something in the medical field. There are now many opportunities for those who previously, or even at this point in time, have not been able to spare the time to attend the proper classes to achieve their goal. Many desire the opportunity to become registered nurses but again do not have the finances or time to achieve this. One option for these would-be students is that nursing and becoming a licensed practical nurse. Unfortunately this also takes time. For these people there is now the opportunity to take LPN courses online. There are several colleges scattered throughout the country who offer LPN courses online. These include Kaplan University in Florida, Ashworth College, Walden University and the University of Phoenix just to name a few.

All these colleges or universities can provide you with all the proper LPN online classes and anything else you may require to complete your LPN courses. They also offer LPN to RN online programs. This manner of achieving your personal educational goal is becoming more and more popular as the technology of the computers become more advanced. Taking courses online offers you the flexibility you need to complete the course in your own time without putting undue stress on yourself, thus making it the perfect vehicle for those who must still continue to work but want to reach their goal and obtain the LPN degree and license.

The LPN courses online include all the basic subjects, i.e., biology, chemistry and so on. Taking these courses not only help you obtain the degree you presently desire but become the foundation of your degree of knowledge that can be called upon should you want to advance to a higher degree. Though you are taking these courses online, you will still have the opportunity, actually the necessity, of having practical and hands on training to prepare you for your new career. Before deciding on which online program to participate in, thoroughly research the college and possibly even speak to students who have graduated and are already employed in their chosen field. The field is wide open for employment as an LPN. If going into nursing has been your dream, there is no better time than now to go for it.

Classes Taken During LPN Studies

If you want to try a career in the health industry, you might want to try taking Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) classes. You usually need 12 to 18 months to graduate and you can easily find work afterwards. It's a good stepping-stone and you spend a lot less compared to other health courses. It is a good start if you want to go on and get a nursing career.

There are a lot of online classes you can get and the hours are flexible. You can work while you study. LPN practitioners work under the supervision of Registered Nurses and doctors. Most of bedside care is done by LPNs. Their responsibilities include collecting samples (blood, stool, urine, etc.), feeding, bathing and monitoring vital signs.

Here are the basic subjects in most LPN programs (it may differ in some schools):

1. Nutrition Since most LPNs perform feeding to patients they need to have a background in Nutrition. They do Nasogastric Tube (NGT) feedings where they feed patients through a tube that connects to their stomach.

2. Basic Nursing Skills LPNs do a lot of bedside care. Basic nursing skills like proper positioning, taking and monitoring of vital signs and taking samples are some basic skills that LPNs need to learn.

3. Emergency Care Like all persons in the health care team, LPNs are requires to take up emergency care. LPNs need to know basic care like CPR, Heimlich maneuver and what do in instances of choking, seizures, cardiac arrest, etc.

4. Medical-surgical Nursing An LPN must have the basic background in Medical-surgical nursing since they take care of the patients. They need to familiarize themselves of the different diseases and how the body works.

5. Pediatric Nursing Since most pediatric patients need to be monitored, LPNs need extra classes on how to take care of them. They need to learn the different developmental stages and what are the normal vital signs for children in varying age groups.

6. Anatomy and Physiology Basic anatomy and physiology is introduced to LPNs to give them a birds-eye view on the different systems of the body. They need to be at least aware of the different functions of our body system.

7. Obstetric Nursing Pregnant women are constantly monitored and have regular check-ups. LPNs need to know what goes on during pregnancy. Caring for pregnant patients differ from other patients.

Apart from lecture class, there are also clinical practicum courses and various skills labs. Most countries require licenses and the test may differ depending on where you want to practice. LPN is a good start if you want to get into the health profession. You can always pursue an LPN-to-RN degree if you want to advance your career.

LPN to RN - Fast Track Program Online

If you are an LPN who has gained some experience and knowledge, you may be the ideal candidate to make the transition to RN. If so, you may want to consider taking an LPN to RN fast track program online. It may seem to the uninitiated that LPN's and RN's share more similarities than differences, and this is true in some ways. However, the RN has many more opportunities in the workplace than an LPN and they earn more money.

What is the biggest difference between the two designations? Education is key- becoming an RN requires more education, and this is why RN's are often valued more than LPN's in the workplace. An LPN who has years of experience can still only go so far in their profession before they "hit the ceiling"; an RN has limitless possibilities as to their future career opportunities.

An LPN to RN fast track program online is the ideal option for LPNs who want to transition to becoming an RN, yet wish to continue working, raising their family, or pursuing other goals at the same time. LPN to RN programs are designed to help you become an RN as quickly as possible without repeating many of the same courses you took as an LPN. The first step in beginning the process is ensuring that you have the courses you need; in other words, make sure you have all the courses necessary in order to enroll in the LPN to RN fast track program online of your choice. Once you complete your coursework, you will need to become board certified, and will need to pass the NCLEX exam (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses), which will test you to be sure you have mastered all of the required nursing competencies to become an RN. Once you have passed the exam, the sky is the limit!

What types of opportunities will be available to you upon graduation from an LPN to RN program? As an RN, you can be employed as a:

School nurse Prison nurse Nursing instructor Clinic nurse Camp nurse Cruise ship nurse Nursing educator Nursing manager

In addition, as an RN, you can work in virtually any specialty of your choosing, including emergency medicine, obstetrics, intensive care, maternity, pediatrics, acute care, continuing care, and numerous others. As an RN, you are guaranteed an endless array of job opportunities, ensuring that you will never be bored.

In taking an LPN to RN fast track program online, you are opening new doors to a future of exciting job opportunities, heightened respect and higher pay! There has never been a better time than now to get into an LPN to RN program.

Can We Study LPN Or RN Courses Online?

A LPN is a trained nurse compared to a CNA and is capable of performing simple and complex medical procedures as well as hand out medications. They are also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). A LPN works either under a Registered nurse (RN), physicians' assistant or a doctor.

Certified Nursing Assistants are available wherever there is a need for personal care. They are presently in nursing homes, health centers, hospitals and even personal homes. They work under a nurse's supervision, giving care for the basic needs of the patients. They are also responsible to provide vital information on the patient's health to the nurse periodically. CNA's are always on demand and they prove extremely beneficial as experienced CNA's can cope with staffing shortages very easily as this is normal in their profession

The next transition for a CNA might be to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Finding out if they would like to make this a career, may take a CNA working in the field long time or for some a short period. Most will search online for information.

A LPN is a trained nurse compared to a CNA and is capable of performing simple and complex medical procedures as well as hand out medications. They are also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN). Under the supervision of a Registered nurse (RN), physicians' assistant or a doctor is how LPN work.

CNA to Lpn program generally takes 12-18 months. Attending classroom sessions and clinics for practical experiences is required by Students. This training can be done during weekends and during evenings or can be attended during weekends or during evenings. This makes it easier for the working CNA to continue her job too while learning. The basic requirement for this training is high school or a CNA.

Online programs: Online programs are also available for students who are unable to attend classes. They have the same requirements as a regular program. The main difference is that when you opt for online programs, you can choose your class timings according to your wish. The practical classes are conducted through video presentations.

How can a LPN become a RN?

The next step is the RN course. The Associate Degree for RN takes three semesters while the Bachelor's Degree would take six semesters to complete. To take the state RN Licensure examination students must earning credits for Associate or Bachelor's degrees.

Online programs: Online Associate's degree are provide by Many schools. The student completes non-clinical course work through online classes and clinical sessions are arranged at a medical facility near the student's home. It is important that the student insure that they have the appropriate medical uniform for the institution.

Uniforms

Most hospitals require CNA, LPN and RN to wear a medical uniform. Uniforms or allowances to purchase medical uniforms may be proveded by most employers. You can also claim the amount from the tax if you are asked to purchase the medical uniform yourself. The basic idea behind providing a medical uniform is to let patients know who is who. Knowing who is caring for you is always a great idea for patients to know. This also creates less confusion in the hospital as patients can address their issues to the concerned person. Generally, RN's wear white scrub sets or blue scrub sets, LPN's wear burgundy and CNA's wear green scrub sets. The colors vary from one organization to another.

What to Consider in LPN Schools

When you have made the decision to become an LPN, you have taken the first step towards having a rewarding career that will not only help you grow as a person, but will give you the chance to touch other people's lives while you are helping them. But before you can help them you need to find an LPN school that can give you the best education possible to make sure you are ready to take on the job.

As you begin looking at schools, you should consider their respect in the community. Some may be inexpensive, but also have a history of churning out inferior nurses as well. Some schools that are costly may help create some of the best nurses available, but the rate of graduates that can pass state licensing may be low. These are points you will need to consider before you apply for any school.

Another consideration is how much the LPN school is going to cost you per semester. Some schools will break it down based on credit hours you are taking, while others will charge for the training as a whole. For those on a limited budget, being able to take a minimum number of classes at one time can prove to be easier on the budget and allow you to become an LPN as you can afford it.

With that concept in mind, you also will want to understand the number of credits that you are getting for each semester you take. These credit hours can be applied further down the road if you choose to go beyond the LPN certification and work towards your RN. Some schools list these LPN courses as a single semester without credit for Biology and other topics. Be certain that your transcript will list each course attended while in the program.

Check the accreditation of any school you are thinking of attending as well. Not every school that offers these courses is accredited to offer the program in your state. This is especially the case when you begin looking online. To get certified in most states the courses you have taken before applying for your license must have been completed through an accredited school. Another reason a school needs to be accredited is if you choose to continue your education most colleges will not accept credits from any school that is not accredited.

Selecting the school that is right for you can be an exciting task. Make sure that you do your research and find the school that meets all your needs and gives you the best education for your money. A great LPN school will help you to begin the journey towards becoming an LPN.

Enrich Your Career With LVN-LPN Programs

The field of nursing is gaining a lot of popularity since there are a lot of hospitals seeking for registered nurses to fill vacant positions across the world. In recent times the jobs of the nurses were only to look after the sick, change their beds and fill water containers. In today's era, all these activities are handled by the nursing assistants. In order to become a registered nurse, one has to enroll into a LVN/LPN programs. Let us discuss in brief what these programs consist of and the career opportunities associated with these.

Introduction to LVN/LPN Programs

LVN

LVN program stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse and consists of three semesters of classroom and clinical hours. Students can either opt for onsite courses or distance learning courses depending on their time and work hours. Upon successful completion of the required course, students must appear for a state mandated exam before they can work as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

LPN

LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse and students can acquire a LPN certificate in less than a year. Becoming a LPN is one of the best ways to boost your career and get a high pay. Some of the subjects that are included in the LPN program are physiology, biology, chemistry, nutrition, first aid as well as nursing classes.

Benefits of LVN/LPN Programs

There are a lot of benefits one can avail by enrolling into LPN/ LVN classes. Some of these benefits are as follows:

Flexibility and Travel: This is an ideal career for individuals who have a flair for travelling and are flexible with shifts. There are many medical providers who hire travel LVN/LPN's and offer housing and competitive wages as given in any hospital or healthcare industry.

Quick Transition: Since these nursing classes are of short duration, students can easily get placed sooner in hospitals and clinics. This is a great opportunity for students looking at full time paychecks and steady work.

Career Opportunities: One of the greatest advantages of going in for LVN/LPN classes is that they are a perfect fit for people who have lost their jobs or are seeking a change in their careers. These nursing classes are easily accessible since they offer the necessary guidance and help to such students.

Salary Expectations

You might actually be surprised by the salary drawn out by LVN/LPN's worldwide. The demand for LVN/LPN positions in long term care facilities and home health is more than any of the nursing categories. According to surveys, LVN/LPN's make the most money when compared to doctor's office nurses. In addition to the pay scale, LPN/LVN programs also offer great flexibility and additional bonuses to the students. The salary for registered nurses depends from one location to another.

If you too want to become a successful nurse and want to secure your future, then getting a LVN/LPN degree in nursing is a great way to start. You may come across many schools or universities that offer such programs, but you might need to research your options carefully before enrolling into any programs.

LPN Nursing Schools

LPN Nursing

The occupation of becoming a licensed practical nurse requires about one year of continuing education in a vocational, technical, community, or online college. Becoming an LPN is a career stepping stone for some nurses and a career stopping point for others. Deciding to continue your educational and career goals is a personal situation and a question that is answered differently by each individual nurse.

The LPN Education

The aspiring licensed practical nurse will have to attend classes for one year on average which will incorporate classes such as anatomy and physiology, nursing theory, basic first aid and life saving skills, patient hygiene, pediatric and surgical nursing introduction classes. Upon successful completion of the classroom requirements there are practical skills training and assessment classes that help prepare the student for their respective state board exams. Once a student successfully passes the required state exams, they are officially licensed as LPN's and ready to assume professional employment.

The LPN's Job

The licensed practical nurse job description is as intense and varied as any other nurse's job requirements. LPN's are responsible for performing duties such as patient bedside care for terminally ill or physically disabled patients. They also perform such responsibilities as vital sign monitoring and recording to include blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rates, temperature, height and weight, and any other pertinent physical vital components. LPN's are also required to monitor catheters and clean and dress various wounds. The licensed practical nurse will also find patient personal hygiene and mobility assignments in their job description. This includes moving patients from hospital to permanent beds and assisting daily exercise routines. Licensed practical nurses that have extended experience may also serve in supervisory roles to nursing assistants or home health aides. The LPN's job description grows even more in depth with patient drug monitoring and watching and responding to possible drug interactions . These job requirements are patient specific and some or most of these areas may be performed or only a specified task. LPN's require education and the need to be familiar with their respective job requirements because their skills may be called upon at anytime.

Where LPN's Work

Licensed practical nurses are utilized in hospitals and urgent care facilities. They are also employed in public and private nursing facilities from state run institutions to the most prestigious assisted living and private nursing homes. LPN's also frequently become employed in personal nursing which provides patients with illnesses and disabilities the convenience of dealing with their health issues from the privacy of their homes. Private nursing care is steadily trending upwards as the U.S. population grows older. Regardless of where licensed practical nurses look for employment, there are sure to be open positions as there is an across the board shortage of nurses of all levels across the country.

LPN's are in demand. For some this is a beginning to a long career in which continuing education and career advancement are part of the nurses' plan, and for some it is the highlight of their career. In either case LPN's are needed to fill a nationwide shortage.

Really going From a CNA to a LPN

In the industry of medication, a CNA is generally situations thought to be as currently being the stepping stone into the health care area. Currently being a LPN is upcoming on the ladder once thinking of a job in the health care industry. Both equally of these positions get the job done less than the route of a health practitioner or health practitioner or RN. There are various pros to performing your way up the ladder and currently being there is instead easy as nicely. Here are a couple of pros and details around The two a CNA and a LPN.

Profession Specifics and Wage of a LPN

An typical beginning Wage of a LPN is about $forty,000. As a nursing assistant, the common Income is $27,000. The regular Wage for a LPN is all-around $forty,000. As a LPN, there are Heading to be much more duties and responsibilities that you are accountable for and as a result your Wage is larger. Certified nurses will administer medicines and put together affected person rooms as very well. They are a form of a far more knowledgeable, and Certified, CNA.

Qualifications

As soon as you are seeking into advancing to a position as a Accredited useful nurse, there are a number of added expertise and qualifications that you are Likely to possess to have. You must begin by getting out what your condition needs. This will explain to you what more lessons and diploma varieties you are Heading to possess to receive. For occasion, if you are in CA and making an attempt to progress to a LPN, you ought to possess 51 months of knowledge in a hospital and this is Likely to incorporate two hundred several hours of pediatric treatment, two hundred of maternity treatment, and 64 of pharmacy hrs. You can uncover out what your condition demands by getting in contact with the Nursing Board in the condition you are in.

Instructional Packages

Just around all group schools will offer you a Lpn program. Currently, there are even selections and some strategies to choose some of your lessons on the world-wide-web. This has develop into a preferred different as some persons possess a whole time career that does not make it possible for them to show up at a higher education campus. For the most aspect, a Lpn program is Likely to just take 2 decades and that is for an Associates of Science diploma. This is the minimum amount need to perform in the discipline of nursing and generally situations, various folks go back again to school to get hold of their RN license.

Maintain in thoughts that all through your program and diploma system, you are Heading to possess to choose component in a set volume of medical hrs. The total of time you invest on medical knowledge can differ from condition to condition and as soon as you acquire enrolled in a school, they will be much better able to assist you in answering any inquiries you are uncertain of.

Performing as a CNA can seriously open up up various many paths, and if you are wanting into Likely into nursing, a LPN license can assist you obtain your ft in the door a tiny additional. You can even make contact with your human assets office if you are functioning as an aide and understand additional all around any Academic courses that you could reward from.