Components of a Successful LPN Career
To become a nurse, you must be prepared to handle stress in a healthcare setting. You'll ease patients' anxiety through open communication and monitor their conditions, vitals, and treatments by updating their charts. You'll also organize supplies and paperwork to help registered nurses and doctors work more efficiently.
To stay on track in your nursing career despite the stress, consider finding a mentor or peer to vent to. Prioritize getting enough rest, and follow the advice you’d give others. Use your days off to enjoy hobbies and relaxation.
To earn your certificate and find employment, complete an LPN program and pass the NCLEX exam. LPN programs typically take about a year or follow an associate degree path, and they also provide easy access to bachelor's degree programs to advance your career beyond the LPN role.
How to Earn a Degree or Certification online for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
Typical Degree Requirements
As a student in an LPN program, you will be required to complete approximately 60 credit hours, or the length of an online associate degree. Depending on the term (semester, quarter) you’ll take about four terms worth of classes.
In your classes, you’ll move from the fundamentals of nursing to the structures and functions of the human body. You’ll also have to take some other classes such as English and math. In nursing school, you’ll take plenty of nursing classes that will give you the foundation you need to be a skilled, competent licensed practical nurse (LPN).
Typical Certifications Needed
After completing your nursing school program, which typically takes 1-2 years, you will receive a diploma. Before starting your first job, however, you must sit for the NCLEX-PN exam, administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. This exam is specific to licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and differs from the one for registered nurses. Upon passing, you'll receive your license, granting you the opportunity to work in various healthcare settings such as clinics, private homes, nursing homes, or mental health facilities.
Academic Standards
Because of the work you will be doing, helping sick and/or elderly patients, you must attend and complete a state-approved educational nursing program. You will take courses that go beyond general education such as English, math, and science.
You will take biology, pharmacology, and nursing classes. You’ll also be required to undergo educational training, often referred to as clinicals.
Exam/Experience Needed
In your LPN training, you will gain hands-on experience in tasks such as taking blood pressure, blood samples, and temperatures, along with other essential medical procedures. Strong interpersonal skills, including compassion, patience, and the ability to interact effectively with patients, are crucial, as you will often be working with individuals who are unwell and may not be at their best.
Attention to detail and good dexterity will serve you well as a licensed practical nurse, and physical stamina is essential for maintaining energy throughout your shift. In addition to preparing for the NCLEX-PN exam after graduation, you must first pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to gain entry into a nursing program.
Important Questions to Ask
How Long Does It Take to Earn These Degrees Online?
This degree isn’t a bachelor’s degree. You will take some general education courses that will help build your skills, then your core classes. Expect to graduate in about 12 months, depending on the education institution.
You should know that your completion time relies on how many credits transfer from other colleges, and how many courses you complete each term. Depending on the educational program you choose, you’ll have the option of taking classes online. Check with the institution about portions of your program that require hands-on exercises. You may be able to record yourself on video and submit that to your instructors.
How Much Do These Degrees Cost?
Post-secondary education always costs you something. As you look for the right college, make sure to check the tuition and fees, so you know ahead of time how much you’ll be committed to spend. (You will be able to defray much of these costs with grants and scholarships.)
At one community college, the entire program will cost you $17,040 not including additional expenditures, such as books, fees, and materials. You may also have to pay a fee for a technology package, so you can connect to the college’s network to complete assignments.
Does the School Have the Major(s) You’re Considering?
Once you decide to look for LPN programs to enter, you need to check whether the schools you’re considering have LPN programs or a major in nursing or allied health. Trying to transfer your general education classes from one college to another because the first college doesn’t have a nursing program is too much trouble to go through. When you want to graduate, complete your licensing exam and begin working, you don’t want any delays.
Call the admissions office and ask if the school carries a nursing program that would allow you to become an LPN. If not, move on to the next college.
How Many Students Graduate On Time?
No matter what type of online degree program you’re taking part in, you can always experience situations which may force you to halt your classes, delaying your graduation. This is true for online bachelor’s degree programs, community college classes, and even nursing programs. You can’t predict what will happen.
Undergraduates are finding themselves staying in school beyond the four-year mark more and more often. Currently, fewer than 50% of them complete their program in four years. This costs them money and adds to any loan obligations they have.
Focusing on community college students, fewer than 36% completed their programs and earned a post-secondary diploma in less than six years. One major reason for this is that too few are declaring a program of study (major) when they enter community college. If you start school knowing you’re aiming for an licensed practical nurse certification or degree, then this at least shouldn’t be a problem for you.
What Kind of Accreditation does the Program Hold? How is it Regarded in the Field?
Colleges, universities, and community colleges that want to be seriously considered as future students prepare to enroll should have accreditations.
First, they should have a college-wide accreditation based on the region of the country where they are located. Second, each online degree program should have a program accreditation. For community college nursing programs, this is provided by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation provides several benefits to schools and programs. Schools know they have hired top-quality faculty; students know they are getting a strong, rigorous education.
Professional Organizations
NALPN
National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses
NALPN was organized for LPNs, licensed vocational nurses (LVN), and practical/vocational nursing students in the U.S. This organization has successfully identified who the LPN is. In addition, NALPN reminds the public that the LPN is highly educated and will performs important medical duties, such as administering medication and treatment; insertion and removal of IVs and catheters, monitoring IVs, and carrying out tracheostomies (If they have received specialized training).
NAPNES
National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service, Inc.
NAPNES has devoted itself to defending and promoting the education, regulation, and practice of LPNs, LVNs, practical nursing instructors, practical nursing schools, and practical nursing students.
NLN
National League for Nursing
NLN stresses excellence in nursing and is the premier nursing organization for both nursing faculty and nursing education leaders. The main goal of NLN is professional development, testing services, nursing research grants, networking opportunities, and public policy initiatives, all of which it offers to its 40,000 members. NLN members all represent nursing education programs from across the spectrum of higher education, agencies, and healthcare organizations. NLN was founded in 1893 as the American Society of Superintendents of Training Schools for Nurses and was the first nursing organization in the U.S.