| When considering whether or not to go to nursing | | | | taking care of patients. |
| school, a lot of people opt for the licensed practical | | | | Their study includes anatomy and physiology, |
| nurse education instead of registered nurse programs. | | | | pediatrics, medical-surgical areas of nursing, and |
| The reason for attending LPN school instead is | | | | psychiatric nursing. Licensed practical nurse education |
| because this program only lasts a year. Further, | | | | also includes training in the administration of |
| because you can get licensed in a year, you can go | | | | medications, nutrition and first aid. |
| out and work quicker. A lot of LPNs do this and then | | | | In order to become licensed, a student first has to |
| go back to school later for their RN degree once | | | | complete their LPN program. At that point they are |
| they have some experience. | | | | allowed to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Passing this exam is |
| All 50 states and the District of Columbia require that | | | | required in order to practice as a Licensed Practical |
| a licensed practical nurse passes a license exam. This | | | | Nurse. There are four major categories of |
| exam is called the NCLEX-PN. When they pass this, | | | | information covered on the NCLEX-PN. Further, this |
| they are considered to have completed their licensed | | | | test can be as little as 85 questions or as many as |
| practical nurse education. | | | | 205. It depends on how many you get wrong as to |
| Most of the time a high school diploma or GED is | | | | how many questions are asked. The test can take as |
| required to get into the program. However, there are | | | | long as five hours as well. |
| high schools that work with vocational training | | | | Just because someone completes their licensed |
| centers and a lot of the time these kids are taking | | | | prcatical nurse education and passes the NCLEX-PN |
| the LPN training while they are still in high school. | | | | doesn't mean they will be a great LPN. LPNs should |
| LPN education can be obtained at local vocational | | | | also be caring people. They need to be emotionally |
| centers and technical schools, or even at the local | | | | stable because working with the injured and sick can |
| community colleges. Sometimes universities will offer | | | | be hard on them. Being observant and having great |
| the LPN diploma program, but usually they reserve | | | | decision-making skills is very important in this position |
| their nursing programs for the RN degree. | | | | as are communication skills. They have to be able to |
| When going through LPN training, students participate | | | | explain to their patients how to care for themselves |
| in classroom study with an instructor along with clinical | | | | at home. |
| practice in the hospitals or nursing homes in the area | | | | |