| Consider this. Licensed practical nursing programs are | | | | to take a test known as the NCLEX-PN examination. |
| a very effective means for launching a health care | | | | Once you have passed this test, you will officially be |
| career in a job track that rewards hands on learning | | | | considered a Licensed practical nurse (lpn). Jobs are |
| and practicality. Many people find themselves | | | | found in hospitals, nursing care facilities, clinics, |
| pondering tons of questions about what it takes to | | | | physician's offices, long term care facilities, nursing |
| get into a top notch licensed practical nursing | | | | homes, and other health care facilities. |
| program. Top questions include: | | | | It takes time and effort to become a licensed |
| *What are the specific career training requirements | | | | practical nurse. Nevertheless, be encouraged though, |
| for becoming a licensed practical nurse? Well, each | | | | because this is an exciting field! In fact, licensed |
| state requires a combination of a state-approved | | | | practical nurses held about 749,000 jobs in 2006 |
| educational program and passage of a standardized | | | | alone - about 26% of LPNs worked in hospitals, 26% |
| test. | | | | in nursing care facilities, and another 12% in offices of |
| *Most of the formal training programs are one year | | | | physicians. Others worked for home health care |
| in length, and may be available online. The | | | | services; employment services; residential care |
| standardized test is computer based and | | | | facilities; community care facilities for the elderly; |
| administered by the National Council of State Boards | | | | outpatient care centers; and Federal, State, and local |
| of nursing (NCSBN). There are four major | | | | government agencies. About 19 percent worked part |
| components to this exam: safe and effective care | | | | time. |
| environment; health promotion and maintenance; | | | | Employment of LPNs is expected to grow much |
| psychosocial integrity; and physiological integrity. | | | | faster than average in home health care services and |
| *The Practical Nurse, or P.N., is an integral part of the | | | | other places. You can set yourself up for the life you |
| healthcare team, working under the direction of a | | | | really want and help people tremendously with the |
| licensed physician, optometrist, dentist or registered | | | | right practical nursing programs. It pays to find out |
| nurse | | | | more. |
| After completing your schoolwork you will be eligible | | | | |