what college course do i need to take to get my lpn license

by Augustus Kerluke PhD 8 min read

  • General Education. If you're seeking an Associate in Applied Science degree along with your LPN certification, you will have to take general education courses.
  • Nursing Fundamentals. Beginning courses in the LPN program explore the foundations of nursing practice. You will take two courses that focus on these principals and then move into nursing skills.
  • Core Courses. Core courses of the LPN program will advance your learning in specific areas. Expect to take courses in medical-surgical nursing, gerontology and mental health.
  • Clinical Classes. An LPN programs is a mix of theory and practice. Degree programs include clinical experiences that are credit bearing.

Becoming an LPN requires completing an accredited practical nursing certificate program, which is usually offered at community colleges and take about a year to complete. Students can expect to take courses in biology, pharmacology, and nursing while also receiving hands-on clinical experiences.

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What courses are needed to become an LPN?

What Classes Are Required to Become an LPN? Common coursework required for aspiring LPNs includes anatomy and physiology, nursing skills, mental health nursing and patient assessment. Read on to learn more about LPN classes as well as licensure in the field.

How long do LPN classes take?

LPN Course Requirements-Before you enroll in any LPN program, there are a few prerequisites that you are required to fulfill, only after which; you will be deemed eligible to take the course. Academic Prerequisites. High school diploma; CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation Certification. Proficiency in English (only for non-native English speakers)

How to become an LPN in the USA?

Aug 21, 2020 · In order to become an LPN, you must complete a diploma in practical nursing through an approved educational program. These programs typically only take one year to complete and help prospective nurses learn basic nursing skills through a combination of coursework and clinical experiences.

Can an LPN become a practical nurse without a nursing degree?

Oct 20, 2021 · Other schools may require prerequisite courses completed that establish a common baseline for all students in the program to work from, such as fundamental English and math courses, or courses on medical terminology. Generally, LPN program candidates will need to hold a high school diploma or the equivalent.

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The LPN may need to apply separately for some privileges. Some states require LPNs to be certified to do IVs. Endorsement Licenses. Once an LPN has a license in one U.S. state, she will usually find it easy to be licensed in other states, provided she has a certificate from an approved program and has maintained a record free of disciplinary ...

What are the education requirements for a licensed practical nurse?

Postsecondary nondegree awardLicensed practical nurse / Entry level education

What is a LPN salary?

43,170 USD (2015)Licensed practical nurse / Median pay (annual)

What type of LPN makes the most money?

Rehabilitation LPNRehabilitation LPN (Tie) Tied for the highest paying LPN role with an average annual salary of $50,000 are rehabilitation LPNs. These LPNs work under the supervision of RNs and physicians providing direct and indirect patient care.

What state pays LPN the most?

Here's an overview of the highest-paying states for licensed practical nurses, according to 2018 BLS data:LPN Salary Rhode Island: $59,130.LPN Salary Massachusetts: $58,990.LPN Salary Alaska: $58,250.LPN Salary Nevada: $57,140.LPN Salary Connecticut: $56,970.RN Salary California: $106,950.RN Salary Hawaii: $98,080.More items...

How long does it take to become a LPN?

Generally, the average time period to complete an LPN program is 12-18 months. Once you enroll in an LPN course you have to go through the entire syllabus devised for an LPN student.

What is the curriculum of LPN?

The curriculum of the LPN program consists of both classroom education and clinical experience . We have listed specifically what you learn in the span of the course. The following description will enhance your understanding about the training courses that an aspiring LPN has to go through.#N#Introduction to Nursing And Role of an LPN-

Why is LPN important?

The profession of an LPN is highly responsible one because the life of a patient is subjected to risk while implementing any procedure. So there has to be some legal system which decides the norms according to a standard. It is essentially required for an LPN to honestly follow the code of conduct regarding laws, practices and ethical principles. The curriculum makes you familiar with the standards related to nursing care, nurse practice acts in the states, what does the state board of nursing do. Besides you get to know what malpractice and confidentiality of patient are all about and how do abuse and neglect affect children, spouses, and elders.

What is the basic structure of the entire curriculum?

The basic structure of the entire curriculum has a pattern that you get subjected to after enrolling in any institution. The following section will introduce you with what you will be doing in the span of the course.

What is LPN in medical?

An LPN is responsible to provide the medical help to patients of all age groups. Therefore, it is evident for an LPN to be knowledgeable about the psychological, spiritual, social, cognitive needs of the patients of all ages. So the curriculum focuses on imparting the knowledge about various phases of the growth and development of the human body. It essentially covers a great deal of matter related to the characteristics of all age groups from infant to elder age. The course covers theories of well-known theorists such as Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Sigmund Freud to give exposure to psychosocial and cognitive development.

Why is it important for a nurse to maintain safety standards?

Since there are many risk factors including the error a nurse might make, it is solely required from an LPN to maintain the safety standards. The possible errors as a result of negligence can be wet floor and prescription of incorrect medication. It also covers the essential information regarding body mechanics in order to avoid the injuries a nurse might incorporate while moving or transferring patients.

What is the third semester of LPN?

The third semester is that time frame of the LPN course when the classes approach the end. This is the time when you will be wrapping up your preparation for the NCLEX-PN exam leading to the beginning of your career as a professional LPN. Completing the course requires to give you exposure to the remaining subjects like Nursing 107, Nursing 108 and Nursing 109. These nursing courses aim to cover the psychosocial phase of nursing and everything you will need in your daily life as an LPN.

How to become a LPN?

1. Enroll in a practical nursing program. In order to become an LPN, you must complete a diploma in practical nursing through an approved educational program. These programs typically only take one year to complete and help prospective nurses learn basic nursing skills through a combination of coursework and clinical experiences.

Why do people become LPNs?

LPNs are integral members of the healthcare team that work closely with registered nurses (RNs) and physicians to provide patients with basic nursing care.

What is the NCLEX exam?

After graduating with your diploma in practical nursing, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses exam (NCLEX-PN). You must pass this exam to practice as an LPN. Your nursing courses will help prepare you for the NCLEX, but studying early and often is recommended.

How long does it take to become a practical nurse?

Discover the average salary for a licensed practical nurse broken down by state. How long does it take to become an LPN? It can take as few as 12 months to earn a diploma in practical nursing, as opposed to approximately 2-3 years to earn an associate or bachelor's degree in nursing (ADN/ASN or BSN).

Does BLS estimate entry level wages?

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.

How do I become a LPN?

How to Become an LPN: Start Here for Licensed Practical Nurse Requirements. Some states call them practical nurses or LPNs; others call them vocational nurses or LVNs (LVN in Texas and California). They’re the same: entry level nurses with a practical education. Prospective LPNs first complete high school, then do about a year ...

How long does it take to become a LPN?

Prospective LPNs first complete high school, then do about a year of full-time nursing education. The program includes theory and clinical practice in core areas like medical, surgical, pediatric, and obstetric nursing. It takes some advance planning to get into a program.

What happens if you don't pass the NCLEX?

However, she will have additional fees. Some states allow candidates to work under a temporary permit while they are waiting to test, but rescind the privilege for those who don’t pass the first time around.

Do I need to pass NCEX after graduation?

Sometime after graduation, the candidate will need to pass the NCEX-PN; this same test is given around the country. Each state has the responsibility of authorizing candidates to take the exam.

Can an LPN be licensed in another state?

Endorsement Licenses. Once an LPN has a license in one U.S. state, she will usually find it easy to be licensed in other states, provided she has a certificate from an approved program and has maintained a record free of disciplinary issues.

Do I need a background check to become a nurse?

It takes some advance planning to get into a program. A nursing candidat e may need a background check and even a physical before beginning her studies. Sometimes there’s an aptitude or basic skills test.

Enroll in an LPN Program

Apply to a Licensed Practical Nurse Program – If an LPN profession interests you, apply and enroll for training to get licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Programs for LPN are not programs that can give you a degree. Instead, the program includes a year of study in addition to the hours work in a hospital or community health facility.

Take the Licensed Practical Nurse Exam

After successfully accomplishing the LPN program, you are now qualified to take the NCLEX-PN test, which is particularly intended for LPN applicants and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The exam includes testing skills in various competencies like integrated processes and client needs.

What is LPN in nursing?

This course will provide you with information about the history of nursing, the roles and responsibilities of the licensed practical nurse (LPN) within the contemporary healthcare team, the settings in which the LPN practices nursing care, the components of the nursing process, critical thinking, the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship and communication with the patient, family members and other members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team .

What do nurses learn in school?

Student practical nurses will learn about the stages of growth and development as well as the age specific characteristics and needs for the infant, toddler, preschool child, school age child, adolescent, early adulthood, middle aged adults and the elderly. The age groups along the continuum of life.

Is surgery elective or non-elective?

Many patients have surgical and other invasive procedures. Some of these procedures are elective and others are not elective, but instead, performed for treatment and as a response to some urgent and emergency disease or disorder; some are performed in the acute care setting, others are performed in an outpatient day surgery setting and still more are performed at the bedside.

What are the settings of care?

Settings of care. The nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation. Applying critical thinking skills to the nursing process and the care of patients. Therapeutic verbal and non verbal communication techniques. Factors that affect the communication process.

What is the purpose of assessment in nursing?

The purpose of assessment is to allow the licensed practical nurse to determine the healthcare needs of the patient in collaboration with the registered nurse.

What is practical nursing?

Licensed practical nurses provide care to patients of all ages. They, therefore, must be knowledgeable about the biological, psychological, cognitive/intellectual, social and spiritual needs of patients from the neonate to the elderly person so that care and communication can be modified according to these needs.

What is healthcare associated infection?

Healthcare associated infections are a major and costly problem that potentially affects virtually all patients in all settings where healthcare services are provided by nurses and other members of the healthcare team. This course will provide the learner with information about the chain of infection, microbiology, risk factors relating to infection, the signs and symptoms of infection, standard precautions, special isolation precautions, medical asepsis, surgical asepsis, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and the management and disposal of biohazardous waste.

What are the courses required for LPN?

Required courses include topics such as developmental psychology, pharmacology for LPNs, alterations in adult health, and fundamentals of nursing. Other areas of study may include specialties such as maternity, pediatrics, or mental health. Clinical training is also commonly part of an LPN program, although the exact amount ...

What is an accredited LPN program?

Accredited LPN programs are designed with the NCLEX-PN test in mind, and should cover all the material that will show up on the test. Students who have completed a program should apply for licensure and then sign up to take the test. Practice exams are available to help prepare, if so desired.

What is a medical assistant?

Medical assistants can have a lot of variation in their everyday tasks at work, but are generally expected to do roughly equal amounts of patient contact and clerical work, handling patient information and dealing with medical records.

How long does it take to become a bridge medical assistant?

What is Involved in a Medical Assistant to LPN Bridge Program? Medical assistant to LPN bridge programs may only take 11 months of full-time study because of a student's medical assistant experience. Some students could continue working and complete the program in 18 months at a part-time rate.

What is practice exam?

Practice exams are available to help prepare, if so desired. The exam uses computerized adaptive testing, which will readjust the exam as you take it based on previously given answers, attempting to ensure that each question has a roughly 1 in 2 chance of being answered correctly.

Is clinical training part of LPN?

Clinical training is also commonly part of an LPN program, although the exact amount of clinical training may be impacted by prior experience. After successfully completing the accredited program, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam and become licensed to practice as an LPN.

What Are CEUs?

Continuing education units, or CEUs, are educational credits for professionals who hold a license. Attorneys, certified public accountants, physicians, financial advisors and other licensed professionals are required to complete them to maintain and renew state licensure.

Who Is Required to Complete CEUs?

Licensed professionals in almost all areas are required to complete CEUs for license renewal, although, some states do not require CEUs at all.

Where Do I Go for LPN CEUs?

The easiest place to find CEUs is online. Some websites offer free CEUs while others charge per CEU activity or offer a subscription service.

How Many CEUs Does My State Require for License Renewal?

CEU requirements vary by state. Some states do not require any CEUs for license renewal and other states require of CEUs plus nursing employment, while still others offer options to completing CEUs, such as projects, national certifications, and academic courses.

LPN CEU Requiements by State

Below is a simple list of CEU requirements for LPNs by state, however please consult your state board of nursing for additional information

What Happens If I Don't Complete the Required CEUs for License Renewal?

Each state has different license renewal guidelines and requirements about proving CEUs were completed for each renewal period.

How Long Do LPN CEUs Take to Complete?

The timeframe to complete CEUs varies by activity. Usually the more credits offered for the course, the longer it will take to complete the course.

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