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
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
What crimes must I be report on my application for licensure?
You are required to report all felonies or misdemeanors, including any drug law violations, in which you were convicted, plead guilty or nolo contendere, or received probation without verdict or accelerated rehabilitative disposition (ARD). You also are required to report pending and unresolved criminal charges against you in any state or jurisdiction. The following documentation needs to be submitted if you have a prior criminal record:
- A letter that includes the following information: date and location (city and state) of the criminal offense, specific and detailed explanation of actions leading up to the arrest or charge, criminal charges or crime(s) of which you were convicted, sentence imposed, rehabilitation since the offense.
- A current criminal history records check from the Pennsylvania State Police. For out-of-state applicants, obtain a criminal history records check from the state where you are living. If the action occurred in another state, provide a criminal history record check from the state in which the offense occurred. The criminal history records check must come from a State Law Enforcement Authority.
- Applicants with convictions will experience a delay in the processing of their applications while all documentation relating to the matter is reviewed. After an initial review, the applicant may be asked to provide additional documents relative to the criminal record. Neither a Temporary Practice Permit or Authorization to Test will be issued until the review has been completed and a final decision has been made regarding eligibility.
You are not required to disclose any matters that have been expunged by order of a court.
Exam
Nurse Exam Information
In Pennsylvania, to be eligible to sit for the practical nursing licensure exam you must have completed an approved practical nursing program. Applicants of programs with less than 1500 hours of education can remediate the deficient education through a combination of education and training totaling 1500 hours. Worked hours on a Temporary Practice Permit can also be counted toward the 1500 hours. To apply for nurse licensure by examination in Pennsylvania submit the Pennsylvania Exam/Temporary Practice Permit Application to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and register to take the licensure exam with PearsonVue. When registering with PearsonVue for the licensure exam, it is recommended you also download the NCLEX Candidate Bulletin that will provide you with valuable information about test content and testing procedures. To practice in Pennsylvania you must have a current, valid license or permit issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Candidates are required to thoroughly review and acknowledge the NCLEX Examination Rules prior to being seated for the examination. On the exam day at check-in, candidates are directed to read the Candidate Statement and provide an electronic signature, agreeing to the terms and conditions of the NCLEX. In addition and to ensure a high level of security, candidates are monitored at all times and recorded by both audio and video methods. Presently, there is no restriction on the number of times a candidate for licensure can take the exam. If you do not pass, you can apply to retake the NCLEX exam at any time, however you may not retest until 45 days elapse since your most recent test date. The Temporary Practice Permit expires immediately upon notification of failure.
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
Job Duties for Licensed Practical Nurses
LPNs care for patients in many ways but often they provide basic bedside care. Many LPNs measure and record patients' weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, dress wounds, and give alcohol rubs and massages. To help keep patients comfortable, they assist with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, moving in bed, standing, and walking. They might also feed patients who need help eating. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.
Organizations
Emergency Nurses Association
Originally aimed at teaching and networking, the organization has evolved into an authority, advocate, lobbyist, and voice for emergency nursing. ENA has 40,000+ members and continues to grow, with members representing over 35 countries around the world.
National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
The National Federation of Licensed Professional Nurses (NFLPN) is the professional organization for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses and practical nursing students in the United States.