LPN Schools and Programs

Licensed Practical Nurse Programs: What to Expect

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) handle basic bedside care, treat wounds, prepare injections, and, sometimes, help patients with eating and personal hygiene. To learn these skills and others, you must complete a one-year state-approved training program. You generally need a high school diploma to start an LPN program. Typical LPN programs offer classroom or online study along with supervised clinical practice. Your courses may include the following:

• Anatomy
• First aid
• Medical-surgical nursing
• Nutrition
• Pediatrics

After completing your LPN program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to receive a license to practice.

LPN Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts excellent job opportunities, especially in nursing care and home health care facilities. The BLS expects 21 percent job growth for LPNs from 2008-2018. You can also earn a credential in one or more specialties, like IV therapy, long-term care, or pharmacology. To join the larger field of registered nursing, enroll in an LPN to BSN (bachelors of science in nursing) or LPN to RN training program. You can take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits by completing your program online while keeping your job.

Typical Salary for a LPN

The median annual salary for LPNs in 2009 was $39,820 or $19.14 per hour. But, salary depends on location. For instance, LPNs at nursing care facilities earn an average annual salary of $42,320, while those at physicians' offices earn $36,770. Wages also change state to state. For example, LPNs in Oklahoma earn an average annual salary of $32,790 while those in Connecticut earn nearly $20,000 more, averaging $52,300.