Renewal
LPN License Renewal
Licensed practical nurses need to renew their license every two years in order to maintain an active status on their state's board of nursing. Most states require a renewal fee and some states offer online renewal. Those who have an inactive, lapsed, or suspended license are not eligible for renewal and must contact their board of nursing to find out how to reactivate it. Every state has its own renewal requirements and only LPNs who meet work and continuing education requirements qualify for renewal and are allowed to practice. Contact the board of nursing to find out how many hours of nursing practice and how many continuing educational credits are mandatory for license renewal in your state.
Practice
What is the practice of nursing?
The practice of nursing is a set of interactions that take place between the nurse and the client. The process starts with a detailed assessment of the client’s health care needs. The nurse interviews the client and sometimes the family to obtain the health history as well as the current health status. The nurse physically examines the patient and also reviews the client's medical record including important data such as the results of diagnostic tests. Nursing assessment is followed by developing a plan of care which address the client's ongoing health conditions. The goal of a nursing plan of care is to improve an individual's health status and to prevent future illness. The interventions outlined in a nursing plan of care may include support with activities of daily living as well as highly complex technological services such as ventilator support. It is the nurse's job to observe the effects of the services being provided to each client and to make necessary adjustments. The nurse should always be the patient's advocate and act in the client's best interest.
Licensure
How do I transfer my license to another compact state?
When permanently relocating to another compact state, apply for licensure by endorsement and complete the Declaration of Primary State of Residence for the new home state, which can be found on your board of nursing’s website. The declaration form is generally a page within the application. Notify the former compact board of nursing that you are no longer a resident. You can practice on your former license for a period of up to 90 days. The 90-day period starts when you become a resident in the new state. States are in the process of amending rules regarding the period of time a nurse can practice on the license issued by a former state of residence. The number of days is based on the rule in effect in the new state. It’s recommended to start the application process prior to the move. Residents of noncompact states are not bound by compact rules, which permit a licensee to hold only one compact multistate license in the primary state of residence.
Exam
What is the NCLEX-PN exam?
The NCLEX-PN is an exam administered to individuals qualified for and seeking a practical nurse license. Only those who have completed a state-approved LPN program and received authorization by a state board of nursing are allowed to sit for the exam. This test is a national licensing examination, administered using a computer, in the United States and its territories. Nursing graduates are tested on their knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure they are ready to practice nursing at the entry level. Because the same exam is used throughout all states and territories of the United States, practical nurses are able to request endorsement or reciprocity of their license from one state to another without having to re-take the exam. The test results are reported as either pass or fail. Those who pass the exam obtain an LPN license in their particular state.
Education
Who offers LPN training programs?
LPN programs are usually offered in technical centers, private vocational schools, and community colleges. These educational programs prepare individuals to function as entry-level nurses upon graduation. Graduates of state-approved LPN programs are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure examination and obtain a practical nurse license. Each state has its own licensing requirements and LPNs must be licensed before they can start practicing. Most full-time LPN programs require one year of study. There are schools which offer part-time programs and these may take two years to complete. Check with the particular school or technical center you are interested in to find out what options they offer, how long it takes to complete the training, and what it costs. Practical nurses have opportunities for career growth by furthering their education and becoming registered nurses with an associate or baccalaureate degree.
Career
What kind of job should I expect as a new LPN?
There is a false belief that most licensed practical nurses are hired by long term care facilities such as skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. The reality is that a large number of LPNs are frequently employed in regional hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and even university hospitals. If your goal is to find an LPN job in settings other than long-term care, do not become discouraged but continue to apply to those LPN positions which interest you. Survey data shows that newly licensed practical nurses are hired in hospitals to care for patients on medical surgical, rehabilitation, neurology, pulmonary, and orthopedic units.
There are a variety of nursing specialties to pick from for a new licensed practical nurse who shows an appropriate level of maturity and the eagerness to learn new skills. Nurse managers give special consideration to practical nurse applicants who are intelligent, hard-working, or have previously been employed as a nurse aide. LPN hired in specialty areas benefit by being in contact with and learning from other professionals which are part of the health care team. For example, choosing an LPN job on the medical surgical unit of a hospital will give you the opportunity to interact with registered nurses, rehabilitation technicians, physicians, and social workers, as well as to constantly learn about medications and pain management, new equipment, and recent technology.
Organizations
New York State Emergency Nurses Association
NYSENA represents the interest of emergency nurses and their patients in the state of New York.
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) provides the highest quality certification services for nursing professionals who care for pediatric populations.