Renewal
Do LPNs need to take continuing education courses?
Every state has specific requirements when it comes to continuing education for LPNs. Each state board of nursing decides how many continuing education credits are mandatory for license renewal. LPN license renewals must be completed twenty-four months after the last renewal. Check with your state board of nursing to find out which courses and topics are approved and therefore will count towards the continuing education requirement.
Practice
Are LPNs supervised by RNs or Physicians?
Licensed practical nurses work under the supervision or direction of an RN, physician, or dentist. What this means is that a practical nurse receives guidance for accomplishing a specific nursing task or activity. The registered nurse, physician or dentist may also periodically inspect or witness the performance of a delegated activity. The person who is doing the supervising delegates appropriate tasks and skills to qualified LPNs. A good example is when a registered nurse delegates the administration of intravenous medication to a practical nurse. The supervising RN must ensure that the licensed practical nurse has been properly trained and is capable of performing the skill.
Licensure
How do I get licensed in a noncompact state if I live and am licensed in a compact state?
You need to apply for licensure by endorsement to the board of nursing in the state where you seek a license. Applications can be found on that board of nursing's website.
Exam
Can I take the NCLEX in a different state?
The NCLEX-PN exam is administered on a computer at approved test sites throughout the United States. First, the nurse graduate chooses a test center where to take the examination. Since all states administer the same exam, it is not required that a candidate sit for the examination in the same state in which he or she applies for licensure. Each exam is individualized according to the responses given to previous test questions but all exams follow a standard plan. A minimum of eighty-five (85) questions must be answered by a candidate in order to determine a pass or fail status. Some candidates may be answering items for up to five hours in order to finish the test. Every question is multiple choice and each item needs to be answered in order to move to the next one. Candidates with disabilities need to notify the test center in order to receive special accommodations. The NCLEX-PN exam has no more than 205 questions but you can pass with only 85 if you answer correctly. Those who fail the test can take it again but must wait at least forty-five days to retest.
Education
What do I need to become an LPN?
Most states have a specific set of criteria that needs to be met in order for an individual to become a licensed practical nurse. The requirements can be summarized as the following: have good moral character, be at least seventeen years of old, have a high school diploma or GED, meet the state's LPN education requirements, and pass the NCLEX-PN exam. LPN program graduates have the critical thinking skills as well as the technical competencies that are required for an entry level position as a vocational nurse.
Nursing students who successfully complete all the program coursework and clinical practice receive a Practical Nurse Diploma and are eligible to take the practical nurse licensing exam. Passing the NCLEX-PN is the first step towards finding employment as a practical nurse in a variety of settings including clinics, long term care facilities and doctors' offices. It is common for states to charge a licensing fee. The fees are subject to change and differ from state to state. Licensed practical nurses pay the licensing fee upon initial registration and every two years as they renew their status.
Career
Career Overview
The majority of practical nurse training programs last about one year and are offered by vocational or technical schools or community or junior colleges. Overall job prospects are expected to be very good, but job outlook varies by industry. Replacement needs will be a major source of job openings, as many workers leave the occupation permanently.
Organizations
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and with other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
As the voice of the Nurse Practitioner, AANP represents the interests of the approximately 192,000 NPs around the country, advocating for the active role of NPs as providers of high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare. The mission of AANP, a full-service national professional membership organization for NPs of all specialties, is to lead NPs in transforming patient centered health care.