Becoming Who You Want To Be

While the term “nurse” first appeared sometime back in the 15th Century, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can point that job’s creation back to 1892. The first practical/vocational nurse training occurred at the YWCA in New York City in 1892. The first official training was three months long, offered at the Ballard School in New York in 1893. The field has changed considerably since then.

If the largest job occupation in health care is the Registered Nurse (RN), a fast second has to be the LPN. Sometimes referred to as Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), as of 2008 the Bureau of Labor Statistics states there are over 750,000 LPNs in the U.S. It projects the need will top 900,000 by 2018.

This doesn’t mean an LPN doesn’t have to go through his or her own rigorous form of training. LPNs must complete a State-approved training program in practical nursing to be eligible for licensure. Contact your State’s board of nursing for a list of approved programs. For more informantion on pell grant application, check the web.

Training programs are available from technical and vocational schools or community, junior and online colleges. Year-long practical nursing programs include both classroom study and supervised clinical practice. Classroom study covers basic nursing concepts and subjects related to patient care. Clinical practice usually is in a hospital but sometimes includes other settings. The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-PN, is required in order to obtain licensure as an LPN. The exam is developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

The BLS estimated the annual wages of licensed practical nurse averaged $39,030 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,360 and $46,710. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $28,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,580.

Other perks of the job include flexible work schedules, excellent health benefits and the ability to further one’s education and advance to RN and beyond, with the employer often paying tuition and fees. If you are looking for more information on student loans and grants, you can research the internet.

Demand for LPNs will be driven by the increased growth of the older population. With better medical technology, people are living longer, increasing the demand for long-term healthcare. Job growth will occur over all healthcare settings but especially those that service the geriatric population like nursing care facilities, community care facilities, and home healthcare services.

Many procedures once performed only in hospitals are being performed in physicians’ offices and in outpatient care centers. Nevertheless, hospitals will continue to demand the services of LPNs and will remain one of the largest employers of these workers. There is more information abouts nursing colleges and fiancial aid on the internet.