Evaluating Licensed Practical Nursing Schools
If you are a high school graduate, a GED passer or a college undergraduate interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can enrol in one of the licensed practical nursing schools in the U.S. and finish your licensed practical nursing education in one year.
LPN education programs are usually offered by practical nursing schools within community colleges, trade schools, vocational colleges and local hospitals. There are also a lot of online LPN programs available. LPNs are called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in Texas and California and are called registered practical nurses (RPNs) in Ontario.
Practical nursing schools train you so that you can assist a physician or registered nurse in caring for a patient. After you complete the LPN course, you are expected to be able to do vital sign measurements such as body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure; administer IV medications; monitor patient response to treatment; manage patient records; do simple diagnostic procedures such as urinalysis; and collect blood and urine samples for laboratory tests.
When evaluating practical nursing schools, consider the following factors: work placement assistance, accreditation as one of the state's licensed practical nursing schools, availability of a practical nursing specialty, documentation of course hours and license to grant a nursing certification.
There are also other factors that you need to consider when checking practical nursing schools. These include the location of the school; availability of scholarships, grants or financial assistance; and how your class schedules blend with other aspects of your life.
Keep in mind that attending a practical nursing school accredited by the state and a national accreditation nursing agency will increase your chances of getting employed as an LPN and will also facilitate the issuance of your new license when you decide to practice in another state. Your LPN training in an accredited school will also be credited when you continue your studies to become a registered nurse in the future.
Because states have different laws on nursing education, the length of the LPN program varies from seven months to 24 months, but most LPN programs take one year. After completing the LPN course, most states require you to pass the practical nurse licensing exam given by NCLEX. Most states also require national accreditation, so make sure that you consider practical nursing schools that are accredited either by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission.
Among the common LPN courses offered by practical nursing schools are nursing skills, emergency care, nutrition, anatomy, physiology, pediatric nursing, medical and surgical nursing and obstetric nursing. The best LPN programs offer you lots of time doing hands-on clinical work. Some of the nursing schools offering a diploma in practical nursing are MedVance Institute in Miami, Rasmussen College in Mankato, Dover Business College in Dover and Miami-Jacobs Career College in Dayton.
| 