Starting A Nursing Career As An LPN
Get Lots of Hands-On Experience
Out of all nurses, LPNs provide the greatest amount of direct patient care. They work under supervision from physicians and registered nurses, and are not expected to work independently. This means that you'll have plenty of opportunity to learn from the experts and get your questions answered.
As an LPN, you'll provide basic bedside care. Your specific duties will range from taking vital signs and watching catheters to treating bedsores and administering injections or enemas. You'll assist patients to get in and out of bed, feed them when necessary, help them to take a shower or use the toilet, participate in care planning, and notify your supervisors of any changes.
At this point in your career, you'll be considered a generalist. You'll do a little bit of everything, unlike nurses with more advanced degrees who can specialize in areas such as pediatrics, oncology, critical care, case management, or forensic nursing. Keep your eyes open and learn everything you possibly can. You will probably love some parts of your job and dislike others. Think of your likes and dislikes as useful data that will help you make important decisions about your career path in the future.
Experience a Variety of Health Care Settings
LPNs are able to find work in a variety of health care settings. You might take a job at a hospital, an outpatient facility, a long term care facility, a private clinic or even in a patient's home. At the moment, the number of LPN positions in hospitals is on the decline, but this trend is accompanied by an increase in outpatient services offered by long term care facilities.
Most LPNs work 40 hours a week. LPNs are needed for day and night shifts as well as holidays and weekends. Although you are expected to put in a lot of work, along with the challenges come rewards. You will get an idea of what health care settings you prefer to work in, and what types of patients stimulate your professional interest.
How to Become an LPN
Nursing is a highly regulated profession, due to the nature of the work. Not only must you complete a state approved practical nursing program, you must also successfully pass a licensing examination before being allowed to work as an LPN.
Fortunately, it doesn't take long to acquire the necessary qualifications. You can complete an LPN program in as little as a year. During your academic education, you'll take classes in a variety of subjects, including physiology, anatomy, nutrition, sciences, obstetrics, pediatrics and first aid. You'll also complete a number of hours of supervised clinical training. After graduating, you'll take the National Council Licensure examination for Practical Nurses, NCLEX-PN, and be able to practice as aLicensed Practical Nurse after passing.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of LPNs is projected to grow 14 percent between 2006 and 2016. This growth is faster than the average for all occupations, and is due to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the general increase in demand for health care services. Becoming an LPN will put you in a good position to continue to grow your nursing career and enjoy diverse employment options within the expanding field of nursing.
Find An LPN Program Near You
Become an LPN in as little as 12 months and start enjoying excellent job opportunities, a good income, and outstanding opportunities for career advancement.Request additional information to speak with a program adviser:Find LPN Programs Near You.
University of Phoenix
Campus
As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.
Programs:- Licensed Practical Nurse/ Licensed Vocational Nurse to BSN
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- M.S. in Nursing
- Littleton
- Salida
- Phoenix
- Lone Tree
- Rancho Cordova
- Reston
- Elk Grove
- Online
- Fort Lauderdale
- Westminster
- Mesa
- Livonia
- Baton Rouge
- Jacksonville
- Ann Arbor
- Tucson
- Aurora
- Irving
- Oakland
- Hollywood
- San Jose
- Daytona Beach
- Saint Louis
- Chandler
- Southfield
- Orlando
- Spring
- Temple Terrace
- Ontario
- Maitland
- Nashville
- Costa Mesa
- Killeen
- Houston
- Pasadena
- Henderson
- Fairfield
- Murrieta
- Dallas
- Tampa
- Manassas
- Sugar Land
- Troy
- Livermore
- Las Vegas
- Palm Beach Gardens
- Miami
- St Louis Park
- Fairfax
- Beachwood
- Flint
- Diamond Bar
- St. Louis
- Westlake
- East Lansing
- Gardena
- Arlington
- Independence
- Sacramento
- Bakersfield
- Sarasota
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- Lancaster
- Saint Paul
- Woodland Hills
- Roseville
- Fresno
- Hurst
- San Francisco
- Clearwater
- Clinton Township
- Lathrop
- Plantation
- Grand Rapids
- Los Angeles
- Palm Desert
- Portage
Concorde
Campus
Get your career started with Concorde Career College. Our training programs are short, affordable, and hands-on. We offer training programs in medical assisting, dental assisting, insurance coding, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, vocational/practical nursing, patient care, and more.
Programs:- Vocational Nurse
- Practical Nursing - Diploma
- Practical Nursing
- Garden Grove
- Orlando
- Kansas City
- San Bernardino
- Portland
- North Hollywood
- Aurora
- San Diego
- Arlington
- Tampa
Fortis Institute
Campus
Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.
Programs:- Practical Nursing
- PN RN Associate Degree Bridge Program
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Ravenna
- Phoenix
- Scranton
- Birmingham
- Westerville
- Tampa
- Cuyahoga Falls
- Erie
- Cincinnati
- Richmond
- Dayton
- Pensacola
- Nashville
- Indianapolis
- Salt Lake City
- Miami
- Largo
- Smyrna
Carrington College California
Campus
Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.
Programs:- AS in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Vocational Nursing
- AS in Registered Nursing
- Antioch
- San Leandro
- San Jose
- Sacramento
Dover Business College
Campus
Launch a business, healthcare, or technology career with Dover Business College. Train with the most current technology programs at one of our two (Dover and Paramus, New Jersey) campuses.
Programs:- LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
- Patient Care Technician
- Dover
- Clifton
Summit College
Campus
Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.
Programs:- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
- Anaheim
- Colton
Kaplan University - KHE
Campus
Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan University can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.
Programs:- Diploma: Practical Nursing
- Associate of Science: Nursing
- Cedar Rapids
- Urbandale
- Omaha
- Cedar Falls
- Lincoln
Everest Institute
Campus
Take your career to a whole new level with a degree from Everest Institute. Programs available in Accounting, Paralegal, Business Administration and more.
Programs:- Practical Nursing (Diploma)
- Patient Care Technician (Diploma)
- Grand Rapids
- Southfield
- Dearborn
- Hialeah
- Jonesboro
- Fort Lauderdale
- Pittsburgh
- Miami
Vista College
Campus
Vista College offers specialized vocational training and occupational education. Program graduates are awarded certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees. Curricula are reviewed and developed through a Governing Board and Advisory Board whose members represent business, industry, and education. A Financial Aid Department, a Placement Department, and an Admissions Department supplement the Academic Department to help students achieve their career goals.
Programs:- Practical Nurse
- Certified Nurse Assistant
- Las Cruces
Charter College
Campus
Prepare for a better career and a brighter future with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. Our small class sizes and dedicated instructors ensure a personalized education experience. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find the job that's right for you after graduation.
Programs:- Vocational Nursing
- Canyon Country
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
Campus
Pittsburgh Technical Institute offers you a career-focused education shaped by industry insiders and employers. Get the skills that can get you the job in 24-month associate programs and 9 to 15 month certificate programs that include business, technology, medical and design degree opportunities.
Programs:- Practical Nursing
- Patient Care Technician
- Oakdale
Medical Career Institute
Campus
Experience the Rewards of Caring, With ECPI’s Medical Careers Institute, you can Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in 2.5 Years or Your Associate’s Even Sooner through Our Year-Round Schedule!
Programs:- Practical Nursing - Diploma
- Registered Nursing - Associate
- Nursing (BSN) - Bachelor
- Henrico
- Raleigh
- Greenville
- Manassas
- Richmond
- Greensboro
- North Charleston
- Virginia Beach
- Newport News
MedVance Institute
Campus
Advance your health care career with MedVance Institute. We offer programs in various areas of the health care field and students can graduate in as little as a year.
"For consumer information: http://www.medvanceedu.info/"
Programs:- Practical Nursing
- Lake Worth
- Port Saint Lucie
Keiser Career College
Campus
Keiser Career College offers career-oriented training programs that prepare students for positions in allied health and computer technology. Associate degrees and diplomas are available from our Florida campuses. All programs focus on the specific skills and knowledge needed for today's career fields. The faculty is comprised of industry-experienced professionals who offer students personal attention and their own practical knowledge in an environment that simulates the real world.
Programs:
- Practical Nurse
- AS in Professional Nurse
- Saint Petersburg
- New Port Richey
- Jacksonville
Pioneer Pacific College
Campus
Pioneer Pacific College is a nationally recognized college with three Oregon locations. Degree programs are available in Business, Law, Computer Science and Health Services.
Programs:- Diploma in Practical Nursing
- Springfield
- Wilsonville
