Should You Consider an LPN to BSN Program?

 If you're currently working as an LPN, you've probably considered becoming a registered nurse or some other higher-level professional at some point. 

Thanks to LPN to BSN programs, bridging this gap is actually relatively easy. By completing an accredited bridge program, you can earn higher wages and move into positions more to your liking in as little as two years.

Motivations for Earning Your BSN Degree

 The motivations for earning a degree will obviously vary quite a bit from person to person but, generally speaking, the primary reasons to consider going back to school and earning a BSN degree are pay and career advancement. Where your career is concerned, the typical LPN can go from performing support roles to other nurses in working as a manager who oversees the entire nursing staff once he or she has earned a BSN. Being qualified to fill these types of positions puts a person's skill at a premium, with employers from a wide range of health care facilities competing for their services.

Where pay is concerned, whether you work as a registered nurse or pursue a position that requires a BSN, your degree will often translate into a significant increase in pay. The national average salary for BSNs is nearly 30% higher than that of nurse's without this level of education, and the ceiling for pay is also quite a bit higher as a result.

LPN To BSN Program Basics

 In general, LPN to BSN programs is condensed, intense courses that allow students to complete the equivalent of a four-year degree in roughly four semesters (two years). As with all LPN bridge programs, the course is designed for those who have already been working as licensed practical nurses and already possess a strong foundation in basic health care theory and nursing practices.

To be eligible to enroll in an LPN to BSN program, students must usually possess a minimum of six months experience as an LPN, a high school degree or GED, a valid LPN license, and good test scores or grades in previous nursing-related courses. It is important that you review your ability to meet these prerequisites as early as possible if you intend to eventually enroll in a bridge program.

Online LPN to BSN Programs

 Because the overwhelming majority of students who enroll in bridge programs are currently working as licensed practical nurses, online LPN to BSN programs are the favored option for most students. By employing distance learning to complete their BSN degree, students are able to continue working and devoting time to their other responsibilities (family, etc.) while completing their studies. Online courses are primarily classroom-based (very few incorporate lab hours), so this approach is considered ideal for most aspiring BSNs.

What You'll Learn In LPN Class

Before making the decision to enroll in LPN classes, it may be of interest to learn exactly what they hold in store for you. 

Licensed practical nursing requires a wide range of skills and familiarity with a vast scope of scientific theory, and the typical LPN program will devote class hours to all of it. 

Everything from basic anatomy and physiology to first aid is covered by accredited courses, so you can expect to be challenged from a variety of angles. This article provides a basic overview of the exact material covered by most programs.

Are Your LPN Classes Accredited?

 It is worth mentioning that, well in advance of attending your first practical nursing class, you should first make certain that your LPN program is fully accredited by the proper bodies. At a bare minimum, you should expect your school to be accredited by the NLNAC and your local state nursing body. The standards set forth by these two bodies provide guidelines for subject matter and hours devoted to specific areas.

What Do LPN Classes Cover?

 The primary goals of LPN classes are to prepare students for the demands of working as practical nurses and provide them with a solid foundation in the subject matter that will appear on the NCLEX-PN (the standardized exam one must pass in order to earn his or her practical nursing license). This means that, on top of hours devoted to physiology, nutrition, first aid and anatomy, you should also expect to spend a considerable amount of time practicing your skills with live patients.

Generally referred to as "lab hours", these hands-on training sessions often take place at a clinic or hospital, and require LPN students to demonstrate technical skills required by the job to a supervisor or instructor.

Other Ways to Prepare For the LPN Exam

 Aside from the lab instruction and class hours you'll acquire through your standard LPN training program (see online-lpnprograms.net for a full listing of accredited programs), preparing to take the NCLEX-PN licensure test will also require you to visit your local testing center. These facilities not only administer the actual exam, but also provide valuable study guides that can help you simulate the test environment, and practice with real sample questions from previous exams.

Where To Look For LPN Jobs

Assuming that you've finished your practical nursing training, you'll undoubtedly be anxious to begin looking for an LPN job.

And, given the record demand for new nurses in the booming health care industry, your timing simply couldn't be better. 

While other job seekers are facing a depressed employment market around the country, the medical field is actually suffering from personnel shortages. 

By incorporating a few of the tips listed below, you should be able to find a rewarding position as a licensed practical nurse in no time at all!

 

 

Take Advantage Of Connections You've Made

Over the course of the LPN program you attended, you probably built-up a mini network of future co-workers and, quite possibly, employers.

 While putting in study hours at your local clinic or hospital, you may have met staff members and managers who you can now get in touch with to request guidance in your job search.

 This assistance could come in the form of letting you know about open positions for which you may be qualified, and maybe even providing you with recommendations.

Using Employment Services At Your LPN School

A good number of practical nursing programs assist their current students and graduates with finding jobs. 

These programs can be a huge help if you're just starting out, so don't forget to take advantage of them if your school offers one.

Check The Classifieds

It may sound a little old-fashioned to some, but the help wanted section of your local newspaper and online job boards is still an effective way to find work. 

As a matter of fact, a good number of employers still rely on these resources quite heavily, so this may be the first place you hear about an opening in your area.

Volunteering Sometimes Pays Too

Although your primary goal is to find a paying job, you can sometimes get your foot in the door for a paying gig by doing volunteer work at a hospital or clinic. 

These facilities traditionally employ a good number of LPNs, so volunteering will give you access and visibility to the staff.

 If you play your cards right, this could very well lead to an invitation to join the staff full-time.

More Advice On Finding An LPN Job

In addition to the aforementioned advice on how to hunt for a job, there are also a few things you should remember when talking with prospective employers. 

Not only is it important to have a current, professionally-written resume available to present, but you should also take the time to write a cover letter that explains why you're the right candidate for the job. 

Be sure to make mention of any experience you have in the field (internships, etc.) and stress how it applies to the position you're applying for.

You should also be sure that you handle your job interview in the most-professional manner possible. 

Ensure that you are punctual, polite and well-dressed for the occasion.

 It's also recommended that you ask questions and show that you've done some research on the facility ahead of time. 

Showing that you've taken the time to learn about the position shows that you want more than just an LPN job - you want this specific job!

A Day At Work With An LPN

There are few other positions in the health care industry as versatile as the LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse. Their ability to smoothly transition from one role to another while supporting doctors, Registered Nurses, therapists and a number of other technicians makes them invaluable. Versatility is only one of the key characteristics of a successful LPN, however.

Because they interact more with their patients throughout the day than anyone else, it is also critical that a practical nurse have great attention to detail, superior social skills, and a terrific sense of priorities and organization. It is direct focus on the patient that makes LPNs so valuable to every facility that employs them, as well as the source of so much of their job satisfaction.

What Do LPNs Do?

If the position of LPN sounds interesting to you at this point, you should probably take advantage of this opportunity to find out more about what they do on a daily basis. After all, what better way is there to get an accurate LPN job description than by hearing exactly what their typical workday is like.

At The Start Of The Start

The first thing that an LPN must do before he or she can begin their shift is to meet with the nurse previously on duty to discuss that day's patients. The nurses will go over patient statuses, issues that may require attention, and treatment priorities in order to ensure that the shift goes smoothly.

Going Out And Making The Rounds

Once the practical nurse is up to speed on patient needs, he or she will go around and visit each of them to let them know who the new nurse on duty is. This process is called "making the rounds", and is important to establish trust and communication between the nurse and those she or he will be caring for. During these rounds, the LPN will also check for any changes in patient moods or condition.

Normal Daily Responsibilities

The majority of the LPN's shift is spent performing support functions for their colleagues and providing direct care to the patients. A typical day will include changing patients' clothes and bedding, bathing them if necessary, providing meals, monitoring vital signs or simply keeping an eye out for changes in behavior.

Further Duties

Of course, if an LPN has been certified as a specialist in a particular area, he or she can expect to spend time performing duties related to that field during a shift. These may include caring for wounds or collecting samples for the lab.

Finishing Off A Shift

The end of a shift usually mirrors the beginning. The LPN meets with the next nurse on duty to bring him or her up to speed with priorities and patient statuses. Any notes or other documentation relevant to that shift's responsibilities are handed over at this time as well.

The Importance Of The LPN Position

The biggest reason why health care professionals place such a high value on LPNs is because practical nurses are the primary link between patients and doctors. The practical nurse is closer to the patient than anyone else on the medical staff, and is more in-tune with their status. This requires the LPN to be particularly adept socially, be good communicators, and to be extremely perceptive. The combination of these factors makes practical nurses indispensable, and usually gives them a relatively high level of job satisfaction.

What Is Including In Online Training For LPNs?

The instruction provided by an online LPN training program provides a number of significant advantages over the conventional on-campus programs that most students are familiar with. 

From the elimination of distance and time barriers to the ability to customize courses to a person's unique learning style, the marriage of distance learning courses and practical nursing training makes it possible for many people who would otherwise be unable to pursue a career in health care to enter the nursing profession in a convenient, relatively-inexpensive manner.

The Focus Of LPN Online Training Courses

The primary focus of most online training courses for practical nurses is the fundamental material that one must be familiar with in order to pass the NCLEX-PN examination. Of course, given that the coursework is entirely web-based, the material is presented from an academic theory perspective. This is noteworthy because, in traditional LPN classes, some of this information may be covered through hands-on lab work or other types of interactive training.

Benefits Of Receiving Your LPN Training Online

The overwhelming majority of online LPN programs place the scheduling, pace and, in some cases, format of classes in the hands of the student. Pupils can log-in at their leisure to watch video presentations, use online study resources, or do anything else required by the instructor. This flexibility and empowerment is not only convenient for students, but may also help certain types of learners to master the material more quickly. Being allowed to study at the time and place when a person is in the right mind frame for learning has been proven to assist many people in understanding and retention.

Do Online Classes Leave Out Anything?

Because most online nursing classes are offered by the exact same facilities that also provide traditional training, their curricular are usually identical. As a matter of fact, the exact same professors who teach the on-campus courses often handle their online counterparts as well.

While it is true that the hands-on training included in standard programs must be handled through other means in the case of online classes, the institution still facilitates this for distance learning students in most cases. Simply put, this means that there really isn't any part of a traditional practical nursing program that is omitted from a online LPN training.

Reasons To Become An LPN Online

The choice of whether to pursue online training or enroll in traditional on-site classes is an important one for prospective LPNs. 

Although either approach will present students with the same basic material, there are significant differences in the manner in which it is presented. 

This does not mean, however, that studying to become an LPN online in some way short-changes the pupil. In fact, many individuals feel that the opposite is true.

Advantages Of Online LPN Training

The following are generally considered to be the primary advantages to getting your practical nursing education through an online school.

Adjustable Schedule

Online learning affords students the luxury of attending class at the time and place of their choosing. Because they are able to study when they are ready, and from a comfortable location, this has been shown to support quicker learning and better comprehension of course materials in may students.

Balance Of Priorities

Because you, the student, is the one who determines when you will study in online courses, you are much better able to balance your education with the other aspects of your life. This makes these types of classes particularly attractive to those who work swing shifts, have young children, or who are involved in other activities that eat up a lot of their time.

You Set The Pace

A common challenge for instructors in classroom settings is that students learn at different speeds. If you're the type of person who feels either slowed down by others, or who feels intimidated by the pace at which most classes move, online classes alleviate this problem by letting you determine the speed at which material is covered.

Saving Money

Of course, one of the greatest benefits of going to school online is the fact that it usually saves you quite a bit of money. Online students are able to eliminate the cost of travel (gasoline, parking, etc.) as well as the need for meals and other expenses associated with spending time away from home.

What Are The Drawbacks To Online LPN Programs?

There are certainly many advantages to attending LPN classes online but, in all fairness, there are some drawbacks as well. Some students simply learn better when they are in a physical classroom where they can see and hear the instructor. There also tends to be more opportunity for hands-on learning in traditional settings than one would experience online. If you feel that this factors are important to you, then you may want to consider looking into a traditional LPN program instead of an online course.

The Quickest Path From LPN to RN

Many practical nurses aspire to one day become RNs, and LPN to RN online programs make this transition possible in as little as six months. 

Higher wages, better upward mobility in the workplace, and greater opportunity for work in other areas all combine to make the registered nurse position an attractive one for many entry-level health care practitioners. 

In the following post, we'll take a look at several of the key benefits to using online LPN programs as your vehicle for making the transition.

Reasons to Consider Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs

Less Time Required

Without a doubt, one of the primary attractions of taking an LPN to RN program online is that it provides students with a great deal of flexibility in scheduling. Like all types of distance learning classes, this attribute makes these courses a perfect fit for parents of young children, those who are trying to juggle work and school, or anyone else who has a number of other commitments apart from their education.

Another great feature is that online classes are structured to allow the student to dictate the pace of his or her learning. For those who either feel that classes move too fast, or too slow, the freedom to move through the coursework at their own ideal speed is an enormous benefit.

For those who think that online LPN classes omit material or otherwise short-changes their students, it should come as a pleasant surprise to learn that today's distance learning students receive access to all of the same materials and learning aids that their on-campus counterparts enjoy. This generally includes access to teachers as well - albeit communication takes place via email in most classes.

Save Money

In addition to saving students money on travel, food and the other expenses associated with going to and from a physical campus, online LPN to RN bridge programs also feature lower tuitions, book costs, etc. than traditional classes. This eliminates the greatest barrier to pursuing higher education - cost - for a great many students.

It is also worth pointing out that students who go through accelerated nursing programs online will save money over the long run as well by starting their careers sooner. In terms of lifetime earnings, this can make a difference of tens of thousands of dollars.

Fewer Course Requirements

Because students of bridge programs will have already worked as licensed practical nurses, they will find that many of the course requirements can be satisfied by showing proof of relevant work experience. By eliminating hours upon hours of lab work, students are able to achieve a better work-school balance and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN much more quickly.

The Long-Term Benefit of LPN to RN Online Programs

It goes without saying that the greatest reason to enroll in an LPN to RN program online is that transitioning into the RN position provides a multitude of immeasurable benefits. Let's face it, most LPNs want to eventually become registered nurses. With that being the case, LPN to RN online programs offer the fastest, most cost-effective way of reaching this goal.