Renewal
How many CEUs do I need for my RN or LPN license renewal?
During the past two years, you must have completed licensed practice for at least 400 hours or licensed practice for at least 200 hours and completed 15 hours of approved continuing education or completed 30 hours of approved continuing education in order to renew your RN or LPN license.
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
What does multistate licensure mean?
Similar to a driver's license, a multistate nursing license allows a nurse who is licensed in one compact state (called a home state) to legally practice in another compact state (called a remote state). The Nurse Licensure Compact requires the nurse to adhere to the practice laws and rules of the state in which the patient(s) receives care.
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
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
How can I get a higher wage?
If you are looking to increase your income as an LPN then one option is to get more education in your field. For those who are interested in expanding their nursing practice, the option of becoming a registered nurse is a great choice. Many nursing schools are offering special LPN to RN programs which take no longer than a year and a half to complete.
Another option that will help you earn a higher income is to become certified in specific areas such as long-term care, gerontology, pharmacology, or intravenous therapy. Obtaining certification in one or several areas is a sure way for a practical nurse to increase her nursing knowledge, become more marketable to health care employers, and earn a higher wage.
There are two national licensed practical nurse associations which offer certification courses for practical nurses throughout the United States. The National Federation Licensed Practical Nurses Association (NFLPN) is known for its gerontology and IV therapy certification courses. If you would prefer a certification in pharmacology or long-term care then you should contact the National Association for Practical Nurses Education and Service (NAPNES) which offers both study materials and certification exams for practical and vocational nurses. Other types of certifications are widely available from many recognized nursing organizations and include Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), wound care certification, hospice and palliative care certification.
Organizations
Utah Nurses Association
UNA serves as the central agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of information relevant to nursing in Utah.
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.