The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is a one year course plus a passing score on the NCLEX-PN. The course can be done online or in a regular offline classroom setting. Usually if you have a job or are a student it is best to do the course online.
The job of an LPN is to provide basic healthcare support to patients. Usually this entails taking temperature, administering injections, taking blood pressure, collecting samples, and basic general care of patients. LPN’s form the core of the healthcare profession and provide much needed support. LPN’s commonly are required to work under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a physician.
Currently there is a shortage of LPN’s and it is a great time to get into the profession. The baby boomers are starting to have more health problems due to age and the healthcare system is not ready for such a burden. Since the training of a physician takes 8+ years and the training of an RN takes 2+ years, the best way to solve this problem is to train LPN’s which only take a little over a year to train. Right now is a great time to get into a profession that is fulfilling and rewarding.
To become an LPN you need to take a one year course that is approved by your state’s Board of Nursing. After the course, in which you will learn the necessary skills that will be used on the job, you will take the National Council Licensure Examination – Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing this exam you will be ready to practice as an LPN.
