A licensed practical nurse (LPN) promotes health, administers medications and cares for patients in their communities. After successful completion of the required LPN prerequisites, a state-approved practical nursing program may prepare you for licensure in approximately one year of formal training in your area of location.
Qualities of a Practical Nurse
Healthcare offers numerous areas of employment options for those who possess the high-qualities of a supportive and caring individual who cares for their communities. If you enjoy the interactions of nurses, physicians, patients and their families, a profession in nursing may provide an exciting and rewarding career for years to come. Exceptional caregivers exude the special qualities that include:
- Compassion for those that need your assistance to recover illness or manage conditions
- Patience for patients who are experiencing a difficult or traumatic life event
- Communication skills that include listening and advocating for your patients
- Interpersonal abilities that allow you to work effectively as a member of the healthcare team
- Accountable for providing diligent, careful medication and treatment administration
- Good physical health and the ability to think quickly in an emergency situation
Where to Take Training Programs
Although nursing regulations vary by your state’s board of nursing, similar LPN programs in the U.S. may be offered in educational institutions such as:
- Community colleges
- Vocational or technical schools
- Hospital affiliated programs
LPN Program Prerequisites
Although practical nursing program requirements vary by state, an accredited program may require proof or documentation of the basic following requirements from a student such as:
- High school diploma or GED completion
- Overall GPA score
- Nursing course prerequisites
- LPN entrance exam
- Age 17 or older
Depending on your practical nursing course requirements, you may need to complete prerequisites before you take the LPN entry exam or enroll in your program such as:
- Mathematics courses in Algebra or basic math skills
- English composition, grammar and writing skills
- Anatomy, biology or basic nursing science courses
- Basic nutrition courses that meet the criteria
Admission Application Process
After completing your LPN prerequisites, assure your application success by contacting your academic advisor to begin your application process. Be aware of the application date proposed by your school of choice. For example, programs are competitive and application deadlines for 2014 may open and close in 2013. Qualified applicants for an LPN program may be required to complete steps such as:
- Fill out the practical nursing application form
- Submit a state background check form provided by the school or state board
- Attend a mandatory nursing orientation for information on the application process
- Submit a medical history, physical and vaccination record provided by a physician
The LPN Entry Exam
Nursing courses involve intense training that requires a level of reading and writing skills that allow you to learn new material, study textbooks and process educational information. To assure educators that you are capable of the successful completion of the LPN program, your criteria for program admission may include a pre-nursing examination that scores your aptitude on a collective knowledge of basic skills and previously taken courses such as:
- Language ability measures your English vocabulary, spelling and the usage of appropriate grammar for effective written and oral communication
- Math questions define your proficiency of basic math skills, fractions and decimals for reasoning ability as in determining medication dosages
- Reading comprehension measures your ability to understand and retain content related to nursing subjects such as nutrition, infection control, science topics and anatomy
After you have completed your LPN prerequisites, application process and gain acceptance into your program, your learning experience may include a formal classroom education, medical skills training and a clinical practicum. Your LPN course requirements are designed to prepare you for successful completion of the NCLEX-PN and licensure as a practical nurse professional.