If you are thinking about becoming an LPN which is otherwise known as a Licensed Practical Nurse, you can either settle for the traditional way of earning a degree or opt for the quickened LPN programs with certificates in a short time as 6 months.
By taking an accelerated LPN course online, you conserve the energy that would have been needed to drive you to school for more relevant things. Yet, have your certificate of completion at the end of your program.
The provision of the table of contents below is to help you have a clearer understanding of the topics that will be discussed in this article.
Table of contents
- Who Is A Licensed Practical Nurse?
- What Does An LPN Do?
- How To Become An LPN
- How Long Does It Take To Become An LPN?
- How to Choose an LPN/LVN Program
- What Are The Requirements For Becoming An LPN?
- Schools That Offer LPN Programs With Certificates In 2023
- 6 Months LPN Programs With Certificates
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Who Is A Licensed Practical Nurse?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN), is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. Usually, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, and registered nurses.
Also, LPNs work independently, like registered nurse, in providing care and are responsible for their actions and practice. Hence, their other name is licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
In some parts of Canada, they are, however referred to as registered practical nurses.
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What Does An LPN Do?
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) cares for a patient by monitoring their blood pressure and other vital signs and providing the person with the demands of primary comforts like bathing or other medical needs.
LPN’s work in various healthcare systems, including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, recovery centers, extended care facilities, and clinics.
How To Become An LPN
If you want to know how you should become a licensed practical nurse, first of all, you must complete coursework in an accredited LPN program.
The duration could vary, though. Most states have dozens of accredited colleges, technical schools, and hospitals that offer LPN programs.
For instance, California has more than 170 state-approved LPN programs, while Texas has over 100 established programs at community colleges, technical centers, and private nursing schools.
No matter where you live, you should carefully research and weigh the pros and cons of each school in your state to decide which program is right for you.
After satisfying the LPN program coursework and grade requirements by your state’s Board of Nursing, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-PN or the National Council Licensure Examination.
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How Long Does It Take To Become An LPN?
A licensed practical nurse must complete an accredited collegiate program that usually takes 1 year to obtain a diploma or certificate. Programs are available in community colleges and business schools. Every program would give supervised clinical experience.
After receiving a certificate, an LPN will need to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) in order to get permission to work. The exam is five hours long.
It is expedient to go for LPN schools with a high licensure exam pass rate when looking for LPN programs. Some programs may list their exam pass rate on the school’s website. Also, don’t forget to ensure the program is accredited and officially recognized by the boards of nursing.
The essence of ensuring its accreditation is to enable you to sit for the exam, as you cannot register for the NCLEX-PN exam if the program isn’t accredited.
Working as an LPN can also walk you through becoming a registered nurse (RN). Many schools offer what’s called a ‘bridge’ programs. These programs take into record your LPN education and work experience and make it easier for you to transition to become an RN.
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How to Choose an LPN/LVN Program
Before deciding which LPN program to go for, there are several factors to consider. Here are just a few essential items to consider.
- Student Pass Rate for the NCLEX-PN
- Accreditation of School
- Time Frame of Course
- Value
- Areas of Clinical Rotations
What Are The Requirements For Becoming An LPN?
Just like every other career, there are certain things you must possess before embarking on the journey of becoming a licensed practicing nurse. They are, however listed below.
- You must possess a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Excellent communication skills, correctly reporting to other medical team members and communicating with the patient and family.
- Empathy for people in difficult situations.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, as you must be in operative mode most of the time, searching for underlying health problems.
- You must pay attention to even the minutest detail. You must be accurate on medication dosages and learn about the patient’s history.
Schools That Offer LPN Programs With Certificates In 2023
Various schools worldwide will offer online LPN programs with certificates in 2023. Here are some of the schools.
- Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester
- Salem Community College
- Union County College
- Greenfield Community College
- Jersey College
- North Shore Community College, Danvers
- Lincoln Technical Institute
- Eastwick College – Hackensack
- Holy Name Medical Center – Teaneck
- Universal Training Institute
- Lake Superior College
6 Months LPN Programs With Certificates
The 6 months LPN program is otherwise called LPN accelerated program. Normal classes take 12 months. Although many LPN schools offer 6 months, 8 months, and 10 months of LPN program.
However, choosing the right program requires careful investigation, but once you complete your LPN training, you are sure to have a career with great job opportunities.
The method of teaching used for the course includes lecture, online case studies, and simulation. Technology is mainly used for these fast-track programs, and you can enjoy your studies if you have a personal computer.
- Medical Terminology
- Human Anatomy
- Documentation
- Physiology
- Legal Issues
- Patient Ethics
- Nutrition
- Patient Safety
- Infection Control
Conclusion
I hope this piece of information is helpful in your decision-making process.
Best wishes!!!
References
Recommendations
- https://kiiky.com/private-nursing-schools-california/
- https://kiiky.com/10-popular-courses-uk-study-abroad-students/
- 15 free Online Nursing Courses with Certificates
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