Simple Guide To Obtaining An LPN Degree
There is a shortage of nurses in the United States. If you are an empathetic and caring individual, and have an interest in working in the health care field, opportunities for LPNs abound. An LPN is a licensed practical nurse, and they must work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or a physician. Some of the duties of an LPN include taking a patient’s vital signs, feeding them meals, giving them medications, or just being that warm and comforting presence they may need. Once you have an LPN degree, you can work in hospitals, nursing homes, private residences and mental hospitals.
Salaries for LPNs vary, depending on experience, region of the country, the time of day they work and the type of facility. For example, according to a survey, LPNs in the New England area can earn upwards of $14.00 per hour, whereas their counterparts in the Mountain region earn around $11.00 per hour. A trained and experienced LPN can earn up to $40,000 annually.
There are many programs to choose from if you’re really serious about getting that LPN degree. You can either opt for an online LPN program, or undertake your LPN training in a classroom setting. Classes are offered through hospitals and community colleges. If you’re busy with a full-time or part-time job already, the online training might offer more flexibility for you. It is strongly recommended that you carefully check out the accreditation of any online LPN program you are considering and make sure that the course has a quality LPN training program.
The cost of obtaining an LPN degree will depend, again, on your location. New York and California programs may charge $20,000 for that degree. In less pricey states, degrees might cost $7,000 – $12,000. Your local community college will probably offer LPN degrees for a lot less money. You should check out www.collegesanduniversity.net for leads to online schools offering LPN degrees. There should be financial assistance in the form or grants or loans for some individuals.
Once you have received your LPN degree, you will be expected to pass NCLEX-PN, which is the licensing examination. There are actually practice tests available online for free. Any incorrectly answered questions can be printed out and the material studied again. Taking these practice exercises ensures that you are ready for the real licensing exam and greatly increases your chances of passing it on the first attempt.
