Things to Take Note before Enrolling in an LPN School

An individual who wish to pursue a career in patient care must enrol in an LPN school.

While some take the 4-year course in BSN at universities, others prefer to acquire a licensed practical nursing degree offered by an LPN school because of shorter program it offers to students. This enables them to work as soon as possible. Enrolling on LPN schools is the first career step in becoming a licensed practical nurse.

Difference between LPN Schools and RN Schools

Aside from the duration of program, LPN schools have a more condensed curriculum for its students. Unlike in universities offering BSN degrees, LPN schools eliminate courses that are not related to nursing.

Requirements

A person planning to enrol in an LPN school must be a high school graduate as he/she is equipped with the basic knowledge in reading, writing, science, mathematics, and social studies. If not, he/she must pass the General Education Development (GED) test that consists of the said five basic disciplines. This makes him/her eligible to take the program. After securing all the requirements, a student now must pass the screening initiated by the school administration.

Curriculum

The program usually lasts for an average of 12 to 18 months. The curriculum of a practical nursing degree covers the following: anatomy and physiology of man; nutrition; essential nursing procedures; emergency care; pediatric nursing; obstetric nursing; medical-surgical nursing; and other nursing specialization in the hospital.

Apart from that, a student will also undergo a set of training in patient care as LPNs are those in-charge to provide direct care to their patients. Students will be taught how to take vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure level, and respiratory rate; give medications; collect urine and stool samples for lab testing; dressing wounds, feeding, and bathing the patient. These practical classes prepare a student for the actual world of patient care.

Career Opportunities

Upon the completion of the program, an LPN graduate is expected to pass the state licensure, commonly called as NCLEX-PN to make them eligible for different patient care jobs. A licensed practical nurse can work on different medical institutions like community hospitals, nursing homes, local health centers, private homes, companies, or can even be assigned at a military base or camp as being a military nurse.

However, LPNs have smaller room for promotion. That is why many LPNs take career advancements by enrolling in RN schools. Since they have a background on nursing care through LPN courses, taking an RN degree will only take a shorter time to complete. The practical nursing curriculum is designed to serve as a bridging program to a nursing degree.

What an LPN School Must Have

In looking for an LPN school, one must check the institution’s state accreditation as this gives them the guarantee that the curriculum is based on the state’s standard. Many community colleges and hospitals offer LPN programs for individuals interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse. There are also online LPN schools that are more affordable and offer flexible time for students.