Education to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
Vocational or Technical School Education Requirements
Jan 10, 2009
Licensed practical nurses, sometimes referred to as licensed vocational nurses, assist doctors and registered nurses caring for patients. Licensed practical nurses (LPN) provide basic bedside care for patients who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. LPNs work in all areas of health care, such as: hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, home care, long term care, and more.
Typical duties of licensed practical nurses include: collect and record patients’ vital signs, prepare and give patients injections, dress injuries and wounds, and more. They also provide hygiene assistance for patients, such as: assisting patients with dressing and bathing, standing, walking, moving in bed, and more.
LPN Education Requirements
Adults who desire to become licensed practical nurses need a high school diploma or a GED for entry into an LPN program. Once accepted in a program, students attend school for approximately one year. There are over 1,500 vocational schools, technical schools, and community colleges which offer LPN programs. In some states, LPN programs are offered in high school vocational technical programs.
Education courses for LPN programs consist of anatomy and physiology, psychology, nursing fundamentals, adult health care, mental health, pediatric health, nursing roles, and practical internships in clinical situations. Other courses include: obstetrics, medical-surgical nursing, administration of drugs, first aid, and nutrition.
Courses are typically offered in the mornings and evenings. Some courses, such as general knowledge human body and fundamentals courses, are offered through distance education.
After completion of an LPN program, students are required to pass a licensing examination called the NCLEX-PN exam. Minimum scores and testing requirements are established by each state’s Board of Nursing.
To transfer from one state to another, LPNs must take the certification examination for the new state. LPNs can hold more than one state LPN license; however they need to complete continuing education requirements for each state license held to avoid license suspension.
Additional LPN Requirements
Adults desiring to become licensed practical nurses must be emotionally stable, caring, and sympathetic in nature. Additionally, they need sound decision making capabilities and communication skills. LPNs must work well with other members of a health care team and accurately follow directions.
Continuing LPN Education
There are numerous training courses available for LPNs which include: dementia, elder abuse, pain management, pharmacology, hand hygiene, hearing impaired patients, and more. The National Association of Practical Nurse Education and Service provides additional resources for contacting state nursing associations, continuing education, licensure requirements, and other information for anyone interested in becoming a LPN. Completing specific continuing education courses allow LPNs to earn certification in other health care areas, such as long term care.
Learning How to Control Career Options through Education provides resources and ideas for completing continuing education courses and programs to advance as an LPN. Also, learning How to Evaluate Continuing Education Programs provides resources for ensuring continuing education programs offered for LPNs meet state certification requirements.
LPN Advancement
Advancement potential is excellent for LPNs. Due to the national nursing shortage; LPNs can enroll in advanced training programs to transition from LPNs to Registered Nurses (RNs). Many colleges and universities allow LPNs to easily enroll in RN programs because of their prior knowledge, experience, and education.
LPNs play vital role in the healthcare industry by providing basic health care needs for patients, freeing RNs to handle critical situations. With only one year of education, LPNs can work in a large variety of health care settings or specialize in specific health care areas.
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