Comparing Online vs. Traditional LPN Schools

The need for LPNs is rapidly increasing with demand expected to grow 22 percent by 2020. With this in mind, there are countless LPN schools offering licensed and degree programs. Accredited programs are offered locally as well as online and comparing the differences will enhance a participants experience and success.

Campus Learning:

It takes about a year to complete courses offered at accredited LPN schools whether or not the work is done on campus or online. The benefit for students in a campus setting is that they are constantly in a clinical environment and have easier access to hands-on training because the schools are associated with hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

A traditional college encourages an open exchange of ideas and social interaction between students and instructors. They are better able to forge relationships with other students and instructors as well as other influential people who can assist them with furthering their career. Classes are scheduled so students need to be able to commit to being present at the required times and learning is not as dependent on technology as online courses are.

Online courses:

Virtual learning is flexible and convenient and it enables the student to incorporate learning into their life versus changing their life to accommodate schooling. Online students have the same curriculum and exams as on-campus students but much of their coursework and textbooks are available online, eliminating the need to carry around heavy textbooks.

Social interactions and communication with instructors and other students is done via email, instant messaging, video chats and video conferences. Online instructors are better able to forge one-on-one time which allows both student and instructor to get to know each other. Online students have to arrange their own practical training unless the program is through a campus school.

Comparing the program options and learning styles of both traditional and online LPN schools will give prospective students insight into method will fit into their current needs and lifestyle.

What to Look for in LPN Programs?

Qualified nurses are in high demand and that is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. LPNs are needed at hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and in home healthcare. If you are considering a career as a nurse look carefully at the LPN programs available.

There are a few things prospective students should look for when choosing a nursing program. LPN programs are offered at technical and vocational schools, community colleges, hospitals, and even some high schools. The program should be accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and should have a good reputation.

Check the institutions reputation and NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) examination pass percentages. A certification should take at least a year and sometimes two depending on the school and location. Take into consideration the location, prerequisites, the availability of financial aid, class schedules, flexibility, and job placement.

Your education should include a combination of classroom and hands-on training, including intern/externships. If your long term career goals include a specialty, make sure the curriculum available can accommodate that.

The educational program should have a comprehensive list of courses that will prepare a nursing student to acquire certification and pass the NCLEX-PN. Courses such as fundamentals of nursing, basic health care, biology and nutrition should be included along with a number of other practical nursing courses.

Some LPN programs advise prospective students not to take on a full-time job while enrolled but for those who feel that is not an option, there are online LPN schools and programs that offer night and weekend classes.

It is important that the instructors are either currently in the field or have been registered nurses. These type of instructors can enlighten students about the expectations of a qualified healthcare professional. A good institution will arm their students with the knowledge to acquire certification and pass the NCLEX-PN to become a licensed registered nurse.

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What is Taught in LPN Courses?

While most students believe that they have a firm grasp of what will be covered in their LPN classes, it is still often useful to take a quick peek ahead as part of their preparation. 

In order to adequately prepare their graduates for the wide range of responsibilities incorporated into the LPN job description, practical nursing courses cover a vast range of topics. 

In the following article, we'll take a look at a few of the primary ones.

What is Taught in LPN Courses?

Health Care Fundamentals and Science

Most LPN programs are split into two distinctly different sections - theory and clinical study. 

The theory portion of the program is usually devoted to covering fundamentals of health care and the basic sciences.

 Material covered generally consists of human anatomy, biology, physiology and even areas of specific medical interest such as pediatrics. 

Additional time is also dedicated to the study of patient care theory, including psychology and other care-giving fundamentals.

Clinical Lab Work

Perhaps the most-important part of any practical nursing program is the section that requires students to perform lab work in a clinical setting.

 In addition to learning hands-on skills like how to take a patient's blood pressure and how to safely move an immobilized person from a bed to a gurney, future LPNs are also put into situations that require quick decision making.

Skills and aptitudes acquired during the lab phase of your LPN training will be tested and graded on the NCLEX-PN as part of the clinical half of the exam. 

It is vital that students master this portion of the material presented to them if they are to not only become licensed, but also perform well in their jobs.

Externship Programs

Many hospitals and clinics work side-by-side with nursing schools in their areas to provide externship programs to students. 

The value of such programs is immeasurable as current nursing students are given the opportunity to observe current nursing professionals during their shifts.

 This provides them with the chance to see the skills and theory they are learning put to use, and even allows for a bit of networking with prospective future employers. 

Things to Look for in LPN Schools

Finding the right LPN school is important for a wide variety of reasons. Not only will your choice in programs determine how much time and money you spend while earning your license, but it can also have a tremendous impact on how long it takes you to find your first practical nursing job. Below you will find several things you should look for when deciding which LPN program to attend.

Things to Look for in LPN Schools

Which Type of Program?

Typically, LPN programs consist of either certification courses or degree programs. While it is sometimes possible to complete a certification program in as little as a year, you should expect to spend a minimum of two years completing either an associates degree or bachelors degree program. Before you even start looking into schools, you should decide which type of credential you want to acquire and then find a school that offers it.

NLNAC Accreditation

While there are varying opinions about some of the things that go into choosing the right LPN school, there is unaminous agreement that one of them is accreditation. The NLNAC is the accrediting body for all practical nursing programs in the United States and, in order for a school's graduates to be eligible to immediately take the NCLEX-PN exam, it must be accredited through this organization. With that being the case, NLNAC accreditation is the very first thing you should look for when evaluating schools.

Clinical Study Programs

Regardless of which type of degree you decided to pursue, eventually becoming a licensed practical nurse will require you to complete a certain number of hours in clinical training. Most LPN programs include these hours in their curriculum, and have standing arrangements with local clinics and hospitals who can assist in the process. There are some exceptions, however, so always be sure to find out about this important issue before committing to a program.

More About Researching LPN Schools

Just like students pursuing any type of education, it is important to put in some research work up front to make sure that you choose the right nursing school. With so many different programs currently being offered, it is vital that you know how to differentiate between them. Becoming an LPN is a process, and ensuring that you are going about this process in the right way is crucial.

Why You Should Consider Becoming an LPN Nurse

If you're weighing the pros and cons of becoming an LPN nurse, the following article will hopefully provide you with some food for thought. 

Aside from the excitement of working side-by-side with other health care professionals, a licensed practical nurse enjoys many additional benefits - each of which serves as an additional reason to consider a career in this profession. 

This article touches on five of the most popular motivations that people have for pursing jobs in the practical nursing field.

Most-Popular Reasons to Consider Becoming an LPN

Steady Employment

The record demand for nursing professionals in today's health care industry makes LPN jobs virtually recession-proof.

While other industries look to reduce their staffing and get by with fewer employees, the nursing field is currently understaffed and looking to add new positions.

Career Growth

Many individuals use the LPN position as a gateway to bigger and better things in the medical field.

Practical nurses work closely with so many professionals from other fields that they naturally develop wide networks of colleagues and become familiar with the basics of other career paths.

Transitioning to other nursing positions is particularly easy thanks to bridge programs (LPN to RN is the most popular) that allow the LPN to move into another position through a series of evening classes.

Good Pay

Compared to the other jobs one can find without a four-year, college degree, practical nursing is very close to the top of the pay scale.

 The middle 50% of LPNs earned between $33k and $47k last year according to the United States Board of Labor Statistics, and the number was even higher for those who earned certifications in specialized fields.

Helping Others

Making a positive difference in the lives of others is often seen as one of the greatest rewards of working in health care.

With that being the case, there are few positions in the medical industry that involve more time spent interacting directly with patients than licensed practical nursing.

The satisfaction one receives from seeing the fruits of their labors on a daily basis can be a strong inducement to pursue a career in this field.

Expanding Your Skillset

Between the training they receive in school and the wide variety of skills they acquire on a daily basis, practical nurses become highly versatile.

This is important not only in the workplace, where an LPN is able to quickly fill-in for other professionals when required to do so, but in their everyday lives as well.

 Indeed, the skillset that an LPN builds can be used in a whole range of situations.

Are You Ready to Become an LPN Nurse?

So, there you have five good reasons to consider becoming an LPN.

There are certainly many others but, regardless of which motivations you have personal, you can rest assured that choosing to work in practical nursing will benefit you both professionally and personally in many different ways.

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.