LPN Programs

LPN Programs

LPN Programs


Careers in the medical and health care field are booming these days. This is the reason why nurses and LPNs (or LVNs) are of high demand. "LPN" means "licensed practical nurse," and this term is being used in most states. Other states, like Texas and California, use the term "LVN," which means "licensed vocational nurse." Because of the demand for these health workers, the number of LPN programs had also increased.

LPN Programs

To become a licensed practical nurse, a person must undergo 1 year of school lessons and practical training in hospitals, nursing homes, and/or health care offices. Because the curriculum only requires 1 year, a lot of people choose this kind of nursing field so that they can get a job much earlier than the four-year regular nursing school curriculum. LPN programs are also less expensive than the full nursing tuition, although the status of the LPN worker would, of course, be lesser than those who finished the four-year nursing course.

You can enroll through www.affordabledegrees.com where you can get an LPN degree online. There are also several schools that offer this learning program in their curriculum. You may want to check out the University of Phoenix in various states (online courses are also available here) including Georgia, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, and MI. There are also hospitals such as those in Rochester that offer slots for people who want to learn how to be an LPN.

There are also LPN schools and training centers located in Mississippi, TN, Baltimore, Maryland, and most states and cities. You just have to choose where you want to get a degree.

Scope of Work

Depending on where the LPN will be assigned, the scope of work may include taking blood pressure readings, taking vital signs, gathering the health information of the patient through interviews and medical records, assisting patients with personal hygiene activities, collecting samples to be sent to laboratories, teaching the patient and/or his family members with the proper hygiene and health habits, and caring for patients from infant to old people. LPNs answer to RNs and doctors while they can be in charge of nursing assistants and nurse aides.

LPN programs include courses on human anatomy, physiology, food and nutrition, physical education, basic biology, basic chemistry, emergency medical technology, child care, patient psychology, and hands-on training under supervision. After finishing the program approved by the Board of Nursing in your state, you can proceed to take the NCLEX-PN examination to become a licensed PN.

Other Features

Those with regular jobs can still obtain LPN degrees because a lot of schools offer the course for a weekend or night schedule. Also, the requirements for enrollment in the program are not difficult to obtain. In fact, most schools will only require a high school diploma and a reasonable minimum grade requirement. However, the job entails that the health worker has love for his work and patience for the patients, which are usually uncooperative and with physical problems that make them difficult to deal with. LPN programs can also be used as a step towards obtaining a nursing degree.