LPN Nursing Schools, Find out whats in store for you as a Licensed Practical Nurse
LPN Nursing
The American employment market faces difficult and uncertain times currently. Many workers have lost their jobs and new high school and college graduates entering the workforce are struggling to find employment. The medical field is one of the few sectors of the workforce that remains relatively stable when compared to other career areas. LPN nursing school is an excellent option for those who have lost their jobs or for those making a decision about which educational path to pursue.
The job outlook for LPN careers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor is very good. This government organization is projecting that LPN careers will grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Advances in health care and an aging population are factors that contribute to this positive outlook for LPN careers.
Employers of LPNs vary widely. Prospective employers include long-term care nursing facilities, home health care companies, clinics, and physician offices. The working conditions for LPNs are for the most part pleasant though home health care can offer its own set of challenges. Nurses visit patients in their homes and the environment may not always be comfortable for some nurses. It has been a recent trend to use registered nurses in the hospital setting rather than licenced practical nurses so individuals interested in working in this environment may want to consider pursing additional training and education as an RN rather or in additional to LPN training. There are numerous LPN-RN bridge programs available for LPNs who wish to further their careers.
LPN training is offered by many community, technical, and vocational colleges. The coursework typically consists of general education college courses, science courses, nursing classes, and clinical experiences. The college course work usually takes approximately one year to complete on a full-time basis. There are often part-time programs offered as well for students who have schedules or financial circumstances that don't allow for full-time attendance. Admission to LPN programs are sometimes competitive and require admission testing. There are many online lpn nursing schools as well. The clinical portion of the education requires attendance at a clinical site but the majority of the training can be obtained online for students who choose this option. LPNs are also required to pass a state licensing examination to become licensed in the state in which they will be practicing. This test is known as the NCLEX-PN.
An LPN salary is determined by many factors. Geographic area, experience, and work setting are a few considerations that affect the pay rate of LPNs. Occupational Employment Statistics from the Bureau of Labor for May 2008 cite the mean hourly wage for an LPN as $19.28 and the mean annual wage as $40,110. The top highest paying U.S. states for LPN careers, according to this source, are Connecticut, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California.
Individuals considering LPN careers need to possess several qualities that will assist them with this career choice. It's important for LPNs to be compassionate and caring. There is a large element of care giving involved in the role of nurse. LPNs need to have excellent prioritization and decision-making skills. Multi-tasking is a required part of this job. Good communication skills are imperative for conveying information to patients and family members. Communication skills are also necessary to work with other health care professionals providing care to patients.
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