Students considering a career in nursing should consider the type of nursing career that they would like to achieve. A licensed practical nursing career can allow the student to work as an integral part of the health care team in hospitals and clinics, while caring for patients with illnesses, diseases and providing general preventative care for these patients. What should the student consider when researching becoming a licensed practical nurse?

First, the student is going to have to choose a licensed practical nurse program. There are two types of programs that are available, students can choose from licensed Practical nursing programs online, as well as those that are offered through traditional means in classroom environments. Students should consider their learning style, their schedule and the length of the program that is being considered when the student is considering whether online or traditional nursing school suits their needs.

Once the student has found the licensed practical program, they can expect to spend between eighteen to twenty four months learning and taking part in clinical experience to obtain the licensed practical nursing certification. Throughout this time, the student will complete a combination of theory courses, labs where the students are able to learn new skills and times when the student is able to put these skills learned to the test, through clinical experience.

At the end of the program when the student has completed all of the required courses to the satisfaction of the nursing school, the student is eligible to become a licensed practical nurse. The student is required to complete an examination through the state board of Nursing that will reiterate the information learned throughout the practical nursing program and issues and ethics that surround the nursing career. The student must successfully complete this examination in order to obtain licensing within the state and become eligible to work as a licensed practical nurse.

The student can expect a wage of between eighteen to twenty three dollars per hour for the nurses that are beginning their career. The licensed practical nurse will earn the living working with a team of doctors and nurses, ensuring that patients are cared for. The practical nurse will take vitals from the patient, track progress on charts and help patients with their personal care routines while the patients are in the hospital or clinic. The practical nurse helps to create the support team that will help patients suffering from illness and disease, or patients seeking preventative care.

There are many LPN training Programs in Florida and individuals interested in pursuing these programs should first ensure that the training program selected in Florida is accredited by the Board of Nursing.
LPN training programs in Florida will comprise of some theory, safety courses such as CPR and some clinical experience.

The clinical aspect of the program allows all participants to interact and care for patients within a registered health care environment. It is a very good opportunity for applicants to get a feel of what the work environment will be like and to probably make an assessment on the occupation and know if this profession is as expected. Individuals wishing to pursue an LPN training program in Florida should at least have a high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma and may require a fitness examination. The program can be completed in one year.

Having attended one of the recognized LPN training programs in Florida the next step would be the obtaining of the license to the nursing board. An application can be completed and submitted online and provided all eligibility requirements are met the applicant can then register online and pay the examination fee of $200 to take the National Council Licensure Examination.

The board of nursing will communicate with the applicant confirming eligibility, thereafter the applicant will receive an Authorization To Test (ATT) from the Examination body allowing for an examination date to be scheduled. The passing of the NCLEX-PN will allow the applicant to obtain the license to operate as a licensed practical nurse in Florida.

A licensed practical nurse, having completed an approved LPN training program in Florida and the NCLEX-PN can seek employment in hospitals, dentist offices and the administering of health care at homes under the supervision and guidance of a professional such as a dentist, doctor or registered nurse. LPNs are usually very instrumental in the application of the ever important nursing process steps of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluating and working very closely with the registered nurse in the best interest of the patient. In many instances a licensed practical nurse pursues the LPN to RN program which allows for growth and opportunities.

Concorde Career Institute in Miramar and Jacksonville, Keiser Career College, Cambridge Institute of Allied Health in Longwood are just a few of the institutions offering LPN training programs in Florida. Applicants need to take note of the fact that not all campuses are approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.

When you are looking for a career path, one of the things you should always consider is what is the job outlook expected to be. Some jobs require four to six (or more!) years of education but by the time you have completed your degree, it may be a failing market – not so with nurses! Whether you are considering a career as an LPN, and RN or even as a Nurse Practitioner, there are two things you can always count on. There will always be a need for nurses, and there will be a significant shortage of nurses within the foreseeable future!

What is an LPN in Relation to RN’s?
If you are considering becoming an LPN, then you know that the initials stand for “Licensed Practical Nurse.” This oven referred to as a VN or an LVN (Vocational Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse) depending on where you live. It is the first classification in the nursing field where you will be directly responsible for patient care. He or she will work directly under an RN or physician and will have many of the same duties as a registered nurse, but there will be some exceptions. The main difference (besides salary) between an RN and an LPN is the amount of education and the depth of responsibilities inherent to each job classification.

Main Responsibilities of an LPN
While there are a great many duties and responsibilities that are part of being a Licensed Practical Nurse, the most common aspects of the job would entail taking and recording vital signs. In a hospital setting, the LPN would also chart foods and liquids the patient is consuming as well as assisting in any personal care needed by a bedridden patient, such as helping them to bathe or get dressed. However, some duties are varied from state to state. For instance, in some states an LPN can dispense medications and start IV fluids. Some LPN’s can assist as a scrub nurse in the Operating Room or can help to deliver babies. While there is a national standardized examination, each state legislates what an LPN can legally do within that particular state.

Requirements for Becoming an LPN
In order to become an LPN the nursing student must complete between 12 and 15 months of education. This is not a degree program as an RN would be expected to complete, and is referred to as a Certificate Program. Part of the studies will be in a classroom setting, while some time will be spent in labs and some portion of time in clinical or practical settings actually working under the tutelage of a doctor or other health care professional. Upon completion, the student would be required to successfully pass the National Council Licensure Examination – Practical Nursing (NCLEX PN) exam. Every state in the nation requires this prior to licensure.

Becoming an LPN is a rewarding career with a decent salary and room for growth. Many LPN’s are content with the job and simply continue their careers in nursing as is. Some go on to become RN’s, RNC’s or Nurse Practitioners. While it isn’t necessary to become an LPN before completing an RN degree, it is a great way to get your foot in the door. There are a great number of nursing schools throughout the country where you could study, both online as well as at local campuses. A quick search will yield multiple options to choose from, so finding a nursing program that fits your needs will not be hard to do.

When considering nursing as a profession there are a variety of different degrees that one can obtain to begin one’s career. Nurses are employed at a variety of different educational levels with all nurses requiring licensing and registration in their applicable state of professional practice. There are a number of avenues an individual can take to begin a career as a nurse.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a vocational nurse is what some may consider the entry level area of nursing. Any one considering a career as a LPN must have a general education diploma or have successfully completed high school. Training for a position as a licensed practical nurse can usually be obtained through a community college or a vocational school. With full time study most students are able to complete training within a year. After completing a practical nursing program students must complete and pass a state licensing exam. LPNs make a decent entry level salary starting anywhere from $35,000 annually for a year’s worth of training. Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide daily living maintenance to patients, dispense medication to patients, start IVs and in some medical facilities maintain medical paperwork.

For those individuals looking for higher pay and more professional responsibility seeking licensure as a registered nurse is the ideal. A registered nurse (R.N.) completes an associate of nursing degree (A.S.N.) at a local community college. With the full time study most A.S.N. programs can be completed in two years and this includes both classroom and clinical portions of the program. Nurses with a two year degree are eligible to take the NCLEX test which is the nursing certification test to obtain a license to work in their chosen state. Obtain passing the NCLEX a person is officially a registered nurse and has an unlimited amount of opportunities to work and any medical facility as a nurse. The pay for a registered nurse is higher than those of the practical nurse with starting salaries beginning as high as $50,000 a year depending on the employer. Registered nurses have the training to provide a vast amount of patient care and they can specialize in many different areas such as neonatal care, intensive care and medical surgical nursing to name just a few.

Registered nurses can further their education and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N). Many hospitals are willing to assist their registered nurses in furthering their education by offering tuition assistance and reimbursement. Likewise, there are many nursing programs that offer R.N. to B.S.N. programs to aid current nurses in obtaining their bachelors degree. For an R.N. bridging their education to a bachelor’s degree it can take anywhere from two to four years to finish the program depending on full time or part time study. For those without previous nursing experience a traditional B.S.N. program is four years in duration. A bachelor’s degree in nursing helps to expand on the clinical skills already obtained and then offers a core in nursing foundation such as the history of nursing and the application of nursing on a broader level such as in administration.

Finally, there are a number of advanced practice degrees that can be obtained by nurses with a four year degree. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) can be obtained in a variety of specialized fields such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nurses are highly trained in their chosen areas and earn a much higher income because of the additional education and training. Most master’s degree programs can be completed in two years if attended full time.

Anyone considering nursing as a profession has a variety of pathways to beginning their nursing career.

By Melanie Ullman
A nursing curriculum entails a good deal of learning regardless of which course is being undertaken. This usually means lots of nursing school textbooks. These can be purchased new and in many instances also used, both at on and offline book stores, but with an online nursing course, a good deal of the course material can be downloaded, which precludes from having to buy as many text books. Perhaps not all, but there will definitely be some savings in terms of course or degree material. As far as text books are concerned, if you are very lucky and have a nursing the family or generous girlfriends, they may even give you their old books.

In terms of the textbooks required, the nursing student is responsible for the purchase of these and it is stating the obvious that she is going to have to read and study them too. Nursing process is a big deal and the student needs to understand how this evolved, the history behind it, and theoretically, how to put nursing process to practical use.

Every class, from nursing process to chemistry and anatomy will have their own textbook requirements, and they are an integral part of the teaching method. Each text book deals with a specific part of the accredited curriculum, at various levels and new text books will more than likely be required for each year of the course of study. First year text books will not necessarily be helpful in second year nursing and so on.

The study of nursing is complex; don’t let anyone tell you it is easy, they are not telling the truth. It is for this reason that many nursing candidates start as a Certified Nursing Assistant or Licensed Practical Nurse and work/study their way up through the ranks to RN, BSN, and even MSN. Nursing is a hands-on, practical career, despite all the theoretic knowledge required.

The kinds of injuries and ailments they are required to deal with on a daily basis are in the thousands and this is the information that text books contain. They need to be able to discuss all of these conditions in a knowledgeable manner with eh physician in charge and know the exact nursing process to take to treat a patient. Remember in the clinical situation it is the nurse who spends the majority of the time with the patient, not the doctor.

Another very good resource for nursing textbooks is a nursing library, and believe it or not, nursing libraries are available online. These libraries are easy to use and have massive resources and material available. It is simple to find everything the nursing student could possibly require, from research to patient care and these libraries can save a lot of time and heartbreak. They are specific to nursing reference material and these site offer simple abstracts as well as very helpful tutorials.

• Useful nursing libraries include, but are not exclusive to:
• Virginia Henderson International Nursing Library
• National Network of Libraries of Medicine
• Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
• Lippincott’s Nursing Centre

Nursing school is an investment of time, energy, and money. Your nursing textbooks are resources that can serve you well long after you get your nursing degree.

A LPN nursing degree (Licensed Practical Nurse) or LVN nursing degree (Licensed Vocational Nurse) has a distinct advantage over many other nursing education programs, it is a fast-track to earning money, and it means that after a years of schooling, the nurse is able to work, then she studies at the same time. The advantage of this is obvious, you get to start earning money sooner!

The demand for LPN’s does not only extend to clinical situations they are in huge demand in the normal workforce as technology advances, and this makes it definitely a career opportunity which is more diverse. Training as and LPN is also a good stepping stone to get started in nursing and advance a career into and RN or even BSN. In nursing there is no limit to how far a career can go.

Overview of KPA’s (Key Performance Areas)

The LPN, like all nurses, cares for the injured, ill, infirm, disabled or convalescent patient. By nature they are sympathetic care givers and they work under the direct supervision of an RN or physician. Depending on what is expected of them, they are trained to and may:

• Take health information from the patient
• Take vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
• Prepare and administer injections
• Help patients with their personal hygiene needs
• Perform routine lab tests and take the samples for these
• Care for infants
• Educate patients and their family members about good health
• Supervise CNA’s (Certified Nursing Assistant) and aides

Tuition

Educational programs for LPN’s involve a year of study and this can be done online, at a vocational or technical/community college or a hospital. It is a more practical nursing program than  the RN program for example. Bear in mind that the program has to be certified and accredited by the State Board of Nursing, as this is the only way to obtain a license to practice. Graduates of the program must pass a National Council Licensure Examination, and each individual state in the US administers this examination.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees cost approximately $2 000 but this obviously varies from institution to institution and considering and online college, may save quite substantial amounts in tuition fees. Grants, financial aid and bursaries are available to help students complete these studies.

Future Work Prospects

LPN’s have very good future work prospects, presently they are in great demand and this demand is expect to grow by 14% in the next six years. Hospitals are obviously the first port of call when seeking work, however home health care services, and care facilities have great need of these nurses too. The Baby Boomer population is finally ageing and it is this which is expected to increase the demand for more nursing services. Advanced technology allows physicians to perform procedure in their rooms which were typically performed in hospitals decades ago and this make the LPN role vital in terms of post operative doctors’ room and home care.

By Melanie Ullman
Some potential nursing students have been led to believe that online nursing degrees are all fake. This is a huge misconception perpetrated by less than honest people, which unfortunately we have to put up with online, but don’t have to use or tolerate. Always check that any nursing degree program you embark on is fully accredited with the necessary education authority, as you would if you were to embark on a nursing degree in a bricks and mortar educational facility.

Distance Learning

Distance or online learning is available for most degrees that are available in traditional educational facilities and nursing is no different. The college or university must be accredited with the US Department of Education or any of the 6 regional or 52 national bodies funded by this department – accreditation is the key word here!

The beauty of distance learning is that it allows many more students access to training and education that may not have been available to them normally. It also allows students to complete their courses in their time, so they may work and be educated at the same time, a very necessary evil in this day and age of economic strife. As long as an online teaching facility is accredited it is also allows for eligibility for the same scholarships and financial aid as students enrolled in traditional facilities.

The Online Nursing Degree

Just as the class-based nursing degree is a popular course, so too is the online course; if not more so. There has always been a shortage of nurses and this is still the case. Because distance education is so flexible, it has boosted the popularity of the nursing degree and made it more accessible. Students are able to learn through some of the best universities and colleges in the US regardless of their location.

Many different degree programs exist, including online LPN nursing classes. This provides the opportunity to achieve a 4 year degree in as little as 2 years.

Practical Application

Practical lab work needed to complete course modules can be undertaken in a local area, and so can other practical classes. The university or college will arrange for this on behalf of the student as it is important for student to be able to apply the theoretical knowledge they have acquired online. A licensed professional will be able to verify that the practical work was undertaken and this is not an obstacle to learning.

In the initial phases of an online education process, finding employment in the nursing field may be a little more difficult than with a traditional degree, but times are changing fast. Employers are seeing the benefit of employees taking online courses as they are still able to work and no leave of absence is required. Recent research also shows that hospitals and other employers are more eager to provide financial assistance to staff who undertake online degree courses in nursing, because of this fact.

Conclusion

Online nursing degrees are rapidly gaining more credibility in the eyes of more traditional institutions. It is vital not to support online scams in this important service industry, and this can be done by only attending an accredited nursing school. It is a simple matter to verify these credentials with the US Department of Education.

By Brenne Meirowitz
If you have been thinking about entering the medical field, now is the best time to consider enrolling in at least one LPN nursing class. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, employment opportunities for LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse), are projected to grow faster than average, particularly in nursing care facilities and home health care services; the competition for LPNs in hospitals is expected to be higher.

The overall demand, which includes LPN travel jobs, is expected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016 – a growth rate outpacing all other occupations, both in and out of the health care industries. This reflects the ever-increasing demand for the long-term care of an ever-growing elderly population. Aside from the elderly, however, the demand for general health care service professionals, particularly LPNs is significant. Patients, whether young or old who require professional nursing care, but are not yet well enough to go home, but not disabled enough to remain in hospital, are also on the rise due to innovations in technology, as well as budgetary constraints in hospitals.

Enrolling in at least one class, which could include online LPN nursing classes, will open the door to employment in private physicians’ offices, outpatient care centers, ambulatory surgical, and emergency medical centers. This is due mainly to the rise of outpatient procedures, including minor surgeries now performed outside hospitals.

Additionally, the demand for them to perform home health care services is certainly already on the rise, as advances in technology makes it easier for elderly patients to be treated in their own homes, especially for those with just minor functional disabilities. Of course, the need for LPNs to perform home health care services is not just limited to the elderly population; the disabled young and convalescing of all ages are included amongst the needy. LPNs in the home are an invaluable resource to family caretakers, who require instruction and guidance on how to care for their loved one, as well as to teach patients to help themselves to perform certain tasks where appropriate.

LPNs are usually also responsible for the supervision of CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant) and aides. Other duties of an LPN may include the collection of samples for testing and the performance of routine laboratory testing.

To meet this demand, colleges, universities, and vocational schools have stepped up their offering of Licensed Practical Nursing programs, and the number and quality of their LPN nursing classes. In the United States alone, there are roughly over 739 nursing schools offering nursing classes for those interested in pursuing this career path. Most nursing programs require a minimum of one year of school for basic training, but more and more have enlarged their nursing programs – awarding bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees. If you are considering transferring to a university nursing program from a vocational or technical school, community or junior college, it is best to verify whether the LPN nursing class or classes you are taking will be transferable.

A typical LPN nursing class may consist of learning procedures such as measuring, monitoring, and recording blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature, height, and weight. Additionally, the nursing student learns how to give injections, insert and monitor catheters, dress wounds, administer enemas, and give massages. Other duties taught in a CNA nursing class include how to aide doctors in procedures such as the delivery, feeding, and care of infants.

Accordingly, the Licensed Practical Nurse is an integral employee in the ever-expanding health care industry, making LPN nursing classes invaluable assets to the professional nurse.

When considering nursing as a profession there are a variety of different degrees that one can obtain to begin one’s career. Nurses are employed at a variety of different educational levels with all nurses requiring licensing and registration in their applicable state of professional practice. There are a number of avenues an individual can take to begin a career as a nurse.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a vocational nurse is what some may consider the entry level area of nursing. Any one considering a career as a LPN must have a general education diploma or have successfully completed high school. Training for a position as a licensed practical nurse can usually be obtained through a community college or a vocational school, or through online LPN nursing classes. With full time study most students are able to complete training within a year. After completing a practical nursing program students must complete and pass a state licensing exam. LPNs make a decent entry level salary starting anywhere from $35,000 annually for a year’s worth of training. Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide daily living maintenance to patients, dispense medication to patients, start IVs and in some medical facilities maintain medical paperwork.

For those individuals looking for higher pay and more professional responsibility seeking licensure as a registered nurse is the ideal. A registered nurse (R.N.) completes an associate of nursing degree (A.S.N.) at a local community college. With the full time study most A.S.N. programs can be completed in two years and this includes both classroom and clinical portions of the program. Nurses with a two year degree are eligible to take the NCLEX which is the nursing certification test to obtain a license to work in their chosen state. Obtain passing the NCLEX a person is officially a registered nurse and has an unlimited amount of opportunities to work and any medical facility as a nurse. The pay for a registered nurse is higher than those of the practical nurse with starting salaries beginning as high as $50,000 a year depending on the employer. Registered nurses have the training to provide a vast amount of patient care and they can specialize in many different areas such as neonatal care, intensive care and medical surgical nursing to name just a few.

Registered nurses can further their education and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N). Many hospitals are willing to assist their registered nurses in furthering their education by offering tuition assistance and reimbursement. Likewise, there are many nursing programs that offer R.N. to B.S.N. programs to aid current nurses in obtaining their bachelors degree. For an R.N. bridging their education to a bachelor’s degree it can take anywhere from two to four years to finish the program depending on full time or part time study. For those without previous nursing experience a traditional B.S.N. program is four years in duration. A bachelor’s degree in nursing helps to expand on the clinical skills already obtained and then offers a core in nursing foundation such as the history of nursing and the application of nursing on a broader level such as in administration.

Finally, there are a number of advanced practice degrees that can be obtained by nurses with a four year degree. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) can be obtained in a variety of specialized fields such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nurses are highly trained in their chosen areas and earn a much higher income because of the additional education and training. Most master’s degree programs can be completed in two years if attended full time.

Anyone considering becoming a nurse as a profession has a variety of pathways to pursue their career, beginning with choosing their nursing degree.

Nursing school programs today differ greatly from those of the past. If you have thought of becoming a nurse but did not think that you had the time or education needed, you need to reconsider now. There are available nursing schools programs that are open to people that are new high school graduates and also to those who have been busy raising families or working for many years. If you have the desire to enroll in nursing courses there will be nursing school programs that will be able to work for you.

You do not have to select the traditional campus programs and the length of time that nursing school programs require can vary. Today you can choose from a 4 year, 2 year or 1 year program and become an RN or an LPN. With the flexible scheduling at some of the technical schools and online programs, such as online LPN nursing classes,  you can even take longer periods of time to complete your actual program requirements.

In the past when someone enrolled in many of the nursing school programs the course schedules were very inflexible and you had few options. Today you can take your nursing prerequisites like science, English and math at times that are convenient for you. There is not any pressure to get these completed by any set date that is up to you to decide. With online nursing programs you can have flexibility in scheduling many of your classes so they will not interfere with your current job or family responsibilities.

Some of the traditional 4 year nursing school programs will hold great appeal for high school students in particular. Others will greatly prefer the options and flexibility that is offered by online and 2 year nursing school programs. You can find out information on all of the programs that are being offered in your area and reach the decision that is best for you.

The bottom line is this: If you have the desire to become a nurse, there are nursing school programs that will meet your needs, classes that can be taken either at local campuses or online, and a myriad of resources to help you pay your way. Don’t let scheduling, distance, or cost dissuade you from pursuing your dreams. Health care is one of the best fields you can enter, and as a nurse, you’ll have lifelong job security, financial freedom, and the satisfaction of knowing your are doing something positive in the world!