By: The Sider Group
Submitted: 2011-05-20 04:40:48 | Word Count: 584
Licensed Practical Nurses or LPN's can obtain work within a number of different scenarios within the healthcare profession. In all cases, the individual will possess the skills required to provide care to patients but will be under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. LPN's will possess the training required to work in hospitals, nursing homes, physicians' offices and home healthcare services. In short, they provide a range of simple yet invaluable forms of care, including bedside care, feeding and bathing of the patient and depending on the circumstances and skill of the LPN, they may also be responsible for collecting samples such as blood and fecal matter.
In order to work as an LPN, an individual will need to complete an LPN program which typically takes between 12-18 months to complete, depending on the number of hours the student completes per week. The LPN program is ideal for those who want to fast track their career in a hospital environment as the program will provide them with basic nursing skills and knowledge that will allow them to continue onto RN programs in the future. RN or Registered Nurse programs are more advanced, meaning that they can take up 4 years to complete but as LPN courses are available across the country, it has never been easier for nurses to take that first step on the career ladder.
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Of late there has been an increasing demand for LPN's across the US, with studies showing that by 2016, the field of healthcare will require an estimated 850,000 LPN's. In conjunction to the fast turnaround time, the LPN program is popular with many students as it is one of the more affordable courses to study. Students will be eligible to begin working in a healthcare environment once the program is complete and students with financial problems can apply for financial aid.
The primary aim of the LPN program is to provide students with knowledge regarding the basic tasks a nurse will complete on a daily basis. These responsibilities may include the measurement of vitals, caring for and dressing wounds, preparing and administering injections and general bed care. As a result, students will possess general nursing skills. In some cases, students may also be required to complete a number of basic courses which focus on nutrition, emergency care, anatomy and physiology and specialized nursing, such as pediatrics.
In order to be eligible to join the LPN program, prospective students will need to possess a high school diploma or equivalent. In some rare cases, LPN students have been granted a place on the course without a diploma but in the vast majority, a diploma will be a necessity for applicants. LPN programs are relatively similar to Licensed Vocational Nursing or LVN programs as the LVN also provides students with the basic skills required to work within a healthcare environment. With the demand for qualified nurses increasing every year, it has never been easier for students to begin their career in nursing. For those overly ambitious students, it will also provide them with the required skills to start one of many programs that can lead to a fruitful and successful career in nursing.
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