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.

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.