Practical Nursing Information

Practical nursing is the fastest way to break into the nursing field. It is a rapidly growing industry and provides a wide variety of employment options. It can be a satisfying career on its own or a great starting point for further nursing education. Practical nurses can use work experience to accelerate through bachelor programs.

Schooling

• A practical nursing course prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN test to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). The course takes about one year to complete. Required courses differ from school to school, but students can expect to need English, biology, basic anatomy and psychology classes. Practical nursing programs are most commonly run by community colleges or vocational institutes. The acceptance process to get into a program is usually very competitive. The best advice for prospective students is to maintain a high GPA and complete the extra required courses before applying to the program, leaving only the nursing courses to be completed.

Duties

• Practical nurses are limited by state law in what duties they can perform. In most states they are permitted to take vital signs, provide hygiene care, assist the patient in performing daily living activities, perform or assist with range of motion exercises and dispense medication. LPNs also provide health education to patients and family members, collect samples for tests and evaluate patient's needs. In a doctor's office, they may give vaccine injections and collect information that is useful to the physician. LPNs work under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or physician.

Types of Jobs and Career Outlook

• The majority of LPNs works in nursing homes, hospitals and physicians' offices. They can also work in employment services, with home health agencies, and as school nurses. The need for LPNs is expected to decline in traditional hospital settings as more patients receive outpatient services. In other settings, particularly nursing homes and home health, the need is expected to increase, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Pay

• In 2008, the median annual salary for an LPN was $39,030. The highest paying LPN positions were in employment services, earning an average of $44,860 per year. Physicians' offices paid the lowest at $35,940. Broken down into hourly wages, LPNs earn $17.28 to $21.57 per hour. Hospitals and nursing homes often pay an extra shift differential wage on top of regular pay for those working overnights, weekends, or other less desirable hours. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Considerations

• When considering a nursing program, it is important to think about both short- and long-term career goals. There are some special units that prefer to hire RNs. Intensive Care Units (ICUs), including neonatal ICUs, rarely hire LPNs. It can also be more challenging to get into a pediatric or maternity unit. Some hospitals are phasing out the use of LPNs entirely or using them for nurse aide work.