Patient and Careful: Saving Lives as an LPN

One of the best career options available is a career as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) you may decide you want to become an LPN at any stage in your life; whether you have always dreamed of being a nurse, or you may have been attracted to this amazing career mid-career doing something else. Whatever your situation, the field certainly welcomes you, especially if you are naturally patient and careful with people. The majority of what an LPN deals in is, in fact, patient care. The field of nursing is as popular now as it was in the days of Florence Nightingale. Its popularity has increased to the point where now, mainstream colleges and universities have added the specialty to their list of programs.

An Overview of my Duties as an LPN

An LPN usually works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) and the doctors that supervise them both. An LPN is responsible for the well-being, care and comfort of their patients. Where needed, the LPN assists in feeding patients, bathing and dressing them, as well as basic exercise, when they are not bedridden. Still, an LPN is also required to be smart and vigilant, as they will often be asked to measure, record and monitor patients’ vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate.) They may further be put in the position of administrating injections and various medications to the patient.

How do I become an LPN? 

An aspiring LPN should expect to undergo an initial minimum of nine months of LPN training. LPN programs are now widely available, both off- and online, and most uphold high quality education standards. Following completion of the program, the aspirant must sit the NCLEX-PN(National Council Licensure Examination, Practical Nurse) and pass it, in order to obtain the LPN Certification that will officially welcome them into their new vocation.

What educational requirements do I need in order to get into an LPN program?

The prerequisites for Nursing are the same everywhere. You will need to prove:

• A minimum education level of high school standard. This will require you to produce a high school diploma, a GED or another valid equivalent. Achieving good grades is an important advantage, because nursing schools in general hold high standards of admission. Other advantages include training in first aid, basic life support, good social skills and a genuine interest in providing health care.

• You must be at least 18 years of age.

• You must have good basic knowledge of English, Biology and Mathematics. Some knowledge of Psychology, Social Studies, and/or a foreign language is also an excellent advantage.

If you do not feel confident in any of these areas, or are asked by your chosen educational institution to brush up on any of them, there are numerous options and opportunities for you to do so quickly and efficiently. These include standard courses, crash-courses, online courses or you may even opt to hire a private tutor.

While all nursing prerequisites must be fulfilled before enrollment into any nursing course, do not consider yourself precluded from beginning your application, even as work to complete every aspect. The admission process is nevertheless extremely competitive, so the better prepared and focused you are, the better your chances of fulfilling your aspirations.

The majority of reputable institutions that offer LPN programs will further require applicants to undergo a background check and/or drug testing, before finalizing their admission.

Going further into the field of Nursing

Becoming an LPN is not the only avenue into nursing, especially if you are interested, not so much in switching careers, but in adding a second professional occupation to your own. For graduates, entering the nursing profession may be a simple commitment to two additional years of study. By subscribing to an accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) degree program, you will have completed all the requirements to enter the nursing field as a professional. The BSN allows successful graduates to expect career advancement, as it is the most comprehensive nursing training program, and includes courses in administrative nursing. While the prerequisites of qualifying for LPN certification do not include an academic degree in nursing, those of a Registered Nurse (RN) do. All that remains is that you pass the NCLEX-RN(National Council Licensure Examination –Registered Nurse).

Many who are hoping to enter the nursing profession alternatively chose to begin with a Diploma in Nursing, or an ADN, which are similar courses. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) is considered a comprehensive two-year nursing course, as it thoroughly covers all the basics. Completing this course also allows candidates to sit for the NCLEX-RN. If ambitious, they may go on to complete a BSN at a later date. The Diploma in Nursing is usually awarded by hospital-based schools.

For those who wish to make nursing their chosen career, it would be a good initiative to enroll into a Master’s Degree in Nursing (MDN) and thus solidify their footing in the field. Like most contemporary programs at the college level, these certifications may be pursued full or part-time, offline and online, making them easy to slot into your lifestyle.

An Online or Offline LPN course –which do I go for?

As the standards of nursing education are generally high, no matter what institution you chose, the choice of whether or not you wish to take courses to become an LPN online or offline often comes down to the cost.

The convenience of an online course is difficult to argue against, considering the necessity for most people to work and study at the same time as taking the courses to become an LPN. Full-time courses are further more expensive than online courses, so financial considerations may be the most important factor. If time is the more important factor for you, then full-time courses may be the best solution for you, as it will take you a shorter period to complete your studies in a traditional setting, than it will online.

It is no wonder the interest in this competitive field continues to grow. The rewards of working as a nurse are realized daily, as some patients thrive under your care, others falter, and then get better, and yet others return to their lives whole, all because you helped. If you have any aspirations in becoming a nurse, there is nothing stopping you from at least testing the waters. Once you become an LPN, you may never look into another career again!