Renewal
Do you have examples of activities that count for continuing education hours?
You can count activities relevant to nursing practice, including:
- certification or recertification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- employee in-service programs such as infection control, safety, risk management, utilization review, quality assurance, emergency preparedness, and education related to new technology, equipment or clinical procedures
- biological, physical, behavioral or alternative/holistic nursing care
- healthcare trends, issues or policy conferences or courses
- academic courses or refresher courses relevant to nursing
- specialty nurse certification
- author of an article or book
- lectures, conferences and independent study including web-based learning
- journal article reviews, literature reviews, grant writing, or research in healthcare
- health education preparation and presentation
Keep your documents in a safe and readily accessible location in paper format or computer documents. Examples of documentation include:
- log book
- certificate of course completion, table of contents or other documentation of attendance, brochure, syllabus, agenda or letter describing the educational activity
- national certification document
- meeting minutes or attendance roster
- transcripts
- research document, thesis, dissertation, abstract or granting agency summary
- presentation materials
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
Can I get a compact license if I own property in a compact state?
In order to be eligible for a compact license, your declared primary state of residence must be a compact state. Owning property in a compact state is not sufficient to meet residence requirements. Proof of residence includes obtaining a driver's license, voting, registering to vote or filing federal taxes with an address in that state.
Exam
Is the NCLEX pass rate history of a nursing program important?
The NCLEX pass rate is just one important factor in determining what nursing program you choose. A program which consistently shows NCLEX pass rates of at least 85% does indicate that students have been prepared well and that the program is successful in educating competent nursing graduates. Many states require that nursing programs maintain a certain minimum NCLEX pass rate annually in order to remain in good standing with the board of nursing. This rate may be different from state to state, but in general a pass rate of at least 85% is required. A program's licensing exam pass rate is influenced greatly by the number of students who take the exam that year. One or two individuals who do not pass the licensing exam can greatly influence the passing rate of a small graduating class. In order to accurately understand a nursing program's success, always look at how many individuals took the exam each year and then look at the pass rate.
Education
How can I prepare for nursing school?
To be successful in nursing school, students need a solid foundation in biology, mathematics and social sciences. It is a good idea for high school students to complete courses in biology, algebra, and chemistry. Obtaining CPR certification is mandatory, since this is a requirement for nursing school. In addition to coursework, nursing students are required to complete hands-on clinical training which gives them experience in a clinical setting. Having prior certification as a nursing assistant is recommended but not required for admission in most LPN programs.
Career
What kind of services do LPNs provide?
Practical nurses are licensed health care providers who provides care under the direction of a registered nurse or physician. An LPN must have a high school diploma or GED and a practical nursing program diploma. Practical nursing programs must be at least nine months long. These programs prepare the student nurse to take the national licensing exam.
A practical nurse can provide the following services: administer medication as directed by the RN or physician, provide bedside client care, observe, measure and record a client's status and vital signs, use catheters and suctioning devices. When additional training is completed the LPN may administer IV therapy, blood and blood products, and assist with dialysis. Because practical nurses receive less training than registered nurses, certain nursing procedures may only be performed by RNs.
Organizations
Washington State Nurses Association
For over a century, WSNA has proudly represented Registered Nurses and the nursing profession across Washington State. Today, WSNA is the voice for more than 75,000 licensed Registered Nurses including staff nurses, nurse educators, nurse practitioners, school nurses, public health nurses, long-term care nurses, nurse managers and nurses in many other practice areas.
School Nurse Organization of Washington
The School Nurse Organization of Washington aims for improved school nursing services fostering higher standards and increased availability of health services thereby enhancing the health status of the school community thus strengthening the educational process.