Your Patients Are Waiting: How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse

A QUICK HISTORY ON PRACTICAL NURSING

In the 1800s, women who were considered practical nurses took care of children, housework, and light bedside duties to aid the sick. Late in the 1890s, New York’s Ballard University introduced nursing classes around the same time that diseases began spreading throughout the slums of the city. Their education led them to realize much of the town's issues were stemming from the poor sanitation. So, nurses began visiting families to promote cleanliness.

By 1914, practical nursing had caught on in Mississippi, but not throughout the rest of the United States. During World War II, many women joined the effort to become nurses to help those who were injured in battle. And, in the 1950s, practical nursing started to become what it is today.

States began requiring licensing, and national nursing organizations began forming. For a few decades, the nursing field was in a state of flux and confusion, it was becoming difficult to differentiate the different levels of nurses, and it seemed no agreement could be met by the various entities involved in the process.

Once the National Council Licensure Exam came into effect in the 1990s, practices became standardized. This allowed nurses to move back into long-term care positions, as well as into other needed nursing positions throughout hospitals.

WHAT YOU'LL DO AS AN LPN

Licensed Practical Nurses enjoy a fast-paced, never-the-same-day-twice kind of profession. The industry they work in determines their daily duties, but one thing is sure, LPNs occupy an important role in healthcare. LPNs can find jobs in many different medical facilities, from hospital nurseries to nursing homes. They are a crucial member of the medical team, the eyes and ears responsible for reporting to the medical staff about their patients.

Daily responsibilities may include:

• Giving medications prescribed by the doctor
• Take vitals
• Wound care
• Immunizations and injections
• Assist medical staff with procedures and tests
• Record patient medical history
• Update patient medical records

More specialty-specific duties:

• IVs
• Discuss progress/next steps with a patient’s family
• Monitor patient intake and output
• Observe patient for potential side effects/reactions to medication
• Emotional support
• Administrative duties

LPN AND RN: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

Both LPNs and RNs work tirelessly to provide care to their patients. At times, nursing can be a thankless job. However, if you ask anyone in healthcare, they would tell you that nurses are absolutely essential. Also, both LPN and RNs have opportunities for career advancement.

There are differences between LPNs and RNs, however. LPNs provide the more basic nursing care to patients, whereas RNs, are mainly responsible for administering medication and treatment opportunities for patients.

Qualities of a Successful LPN

There’s a lot that can happen in the day in a life of an LPN. Following is a list of some soft skills a successful LPN might have.

• Great communicator: You need to be able to speak with everyone, from patients and their families to the entire medical staff on the case. In addition, you must be a great listener. You work with patients, and it is your responsibility to report any progress/changes to the rest of your medical team.
• Caring, empathetic, and compassionate: You will work with sick or injured people. Being sympathetic to the needs and wants of patients can help tremendously throughout treatment.
• Even-keeled: Nurses do find themselves in unnerving situations. You will address wounds, comfort dying patients, assist patients after surgery, and will need to multitask — even on your busiest days. It's as emotionally demanding as it is physically.
• Flexible: Each day will introduce a new set of circumstances. Patients may experience reactions to treatment, your team may get a sudden influx of patients, etc. If you are someone who can adjust and pivot accordingly to unexpected changes, you will be a great LPN.
• Detail-oriented: A career in the medical field leaves no room for error. When it comes to patient care, mistakes can be disastrous. A great LPN will be detail-oriented to ensure nothing goes overlooked.
• People person: Nurses work with patients, their families, and colleagues. Nurses who are friendly, open, and excellent communicators are great assets to a medical team.
• Energetic: Standing, walking, lifting, sitting, repeat — the daily physical activities in the life of a nurse. Maintaining your energy and strength will be essential in your career.
• Problem solver: Problems arise in healthcare. A great LPN will be decisive and able to use their knowledge and skills to solve problems in an efficient manner.

WAYS TO BECOME AN LPN

When it comes to becoming an LPN, there are a couple of different options available. A diploma or certificate is the fastest way, usually taking only a year. But you can also choose to get an associate degree, taking two years, which is beneficial if you’re thinking about eventually going on to become a registered nurse.

Any LPN program requires students to be at least 18 years old, and to have a high school diploma or GED. Some schools may also require you to pass an entrance exam. Any LPN program will have courses such as medical terminology, anatomy/physiology, nutrition, psychology, nursing care for both adults and infants. Also, prerequisites will most often include math, chemistry, biology, English, and psychology.

Once you have your diploma or degree, it’s time to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Every state in the U.S. requires LPNs to sit for and pass the NCLEX-PN to work in their chosen field. This multiple choice exam includes 85-205 questions, and must be completed in five hours. If it’s not passed the first time, you’ll have to wait 45-90 days before you can take it again.

Once you’ve passed the NCLEX-PN, you can decide to pick a specialty field to become certified in. Certifications include gerontology, long-term care, pharmacology, hospice and palliative care, neonatal education, dialysis, and immunization.

Once you have worked as an LPN for a while, you may want to consider furthering your education. Some LPNs choose to become RN, or advance in some other way.

HOW MUCH IS SCHOOL?

The average LPN program ranges between $5,000-$30,000 for the year. That’s not including associated fees such as books and housing which can add significant dollars to the cost. Public, private, in-state, out-of-state, all these factors can add or subtract from your out-of-pocket cost. It’s less expensive to go to a public, in-state facility. Most of the schools we work with also offer financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, and loans, to those who qualify.

THE SCOOP ABOUT SALARY

LPNs earned an average of $60,790 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making $77,870 or more.

States paying the highest salaries for LPNs in 2023

A GROWING FIELD

Between now and 2032, employment opportunities for LPNs are expected to grow 5 percent. The baby boomers are the largest demographic in the United States, and as they start aging, there will be increased employment opportunities for LPNs.