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
Can I practice without supervision if I am a new graduate nurse?
RN and LPN applicants awaiting results of the licensure examination may practice nursing with a temporary permit, and may practice only under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse who must be on site in the area where the holder of the permit is working and readily available to provide supervision to or consultation with the applicant.
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 education do I need to become an LPN?
LPNs must be licensed to practice in a particular state and must complete a state-approved training program in practical nursing to be eligible for licensure. Most practical nursing training programs last about one year, and are offered by vocational and technical schools or community and junior colleges. Other programs are available through high schools, hospitals, and colleges and universities. A high school diploma or its equivalent usually is required for entry, although some programs accept candidates without a diploma, and some programs are part of a high school curriculum.
Career
LPN Wages
Practical nurses have financially rewarding careers. Even though LPN salaries vary widely by state, average hourly rates in 2015 are between $15.21 and $28.22 per hour. The annual wage for an LPN ranges from $31,640 to $58,710 with the average being $42,490. According to a survey conducted by one of the leading job searching engines, the states which pay LPNs the best seem to be Connecticut, Alaska, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Nevada. Practical nurses have the opportunity to further their career and increase their salary by becoming registered nurses. Some RN programs require only two additional semesters of academic work to complete.
Organizations
American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.
South Dakota Licensed Practical Nursing Association
The aim of this association is directed toward the development of sound Practical Nurse educations and the promotion of the Licensed Practical Nurse as an important member of the health team, concerned with the health and welfare of all people.