Renewal
Where can I find approved CE activities?
You may contact the inservice departments of hospitals and nursing homes, your local vocational school, as well as the CE departments of colleges and universities in your area to find out what is available. You should also watch for announcements in nursing journals, the mail, newspapers and other forms of media. Associations such as the West Virginia Nurses Association, West Virginia Health Care Association, and other health care associations and organizations may offer CE for LPN's. There are also numerous websites which offer approved CE for nurses online. All LPNs are required to complete at least 3 contact hours in the area of chemical dependency/substance use disorders for renewal of the license in 2014 and during each two year reporting period thereafter.
Practice
What is a licensing board?
A licensing board is a West Virginia State Government Agency which regulates a profession. The primary mission of Health Professions Licensing boards is to protect the health and safety of West Virginia consumers. To this end, the Boards investigate complaints filed against their licensees. If there is probable cause, charges may be filed against the licensee. Disciplinary sanctions include revocation or suspension of the license, probation, reprimand, education, supervision of practice, treatment, monitoring and monetary assessments.
Licensure
Revocation and Reinstatement of License
The board will afford every person subject to disciplinary proceedings an opportunity for a hearing. If an applicant for licensure or a licensee fails to appear at a scheduled hearing or fails to reply to the notification of hearing, the charges specified may be taken as true and the board may proceed with disciplinary actions. The board may impose a single penalty or a combination of penalties upon any person found guilty of any of the grounds for discipline. For applicants for examination or endorsement:
- the board may refuse to admit an applicant for the licensure examination
- the board may deny licensure by endorsement
For licensees:
- the board may revoke a license
- the board may specify the minimum length of time the revocation shall remain in effect in the final order of revocation but if the board does not specify a minimum length of time for the revocation in the final order of revocation the revocation shall be effective for a minimum of five years
An individual who has had his or her license revoked and who wishes to again become licensed as a licensed practical nurse shall apply as a new applicant for licensure and is subject to the same rules for original licensure as other applicants not previously licensed. The board will consider all records pertaining to the revocation of the previously held license when considering the applicant for licensure. The board may suspend a license for a period of not less than thirty days, nor more than five years. The board shall return the license to the licensee after the period of suspension has expired, provided the licensee meets all conditions set forth by the board at the time of the suspension. The West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses may ask a licensee to voluntarily surrender his or her license and provide to the board a statement concerning reasons for the surrender. The person may petition for reinstatement of the license one year from the date of original surrender. The person shall furnish proof at the time that the licensee requests reinstatement that the conditions leading to the voluntary surrender no longer exist. The board may permit a licensee to keep his or her license under a restricted license and to work within specified guidelines or it may permit a licensee to keep his or her license and continue to work, however, the licensee shall adhere to specific probationary conditions and the board will closely monitor the licensee during the probationary period. The board may also issue a reprimand in writing and retain a copy in the file of the licensee and it may negotiate a settlement with the licensee, in the form of a consent agreement, for any charges pending against a licensee. The licensee, in accepting a consent agreement waives his or her right to a formal hearing on the charges, and accepts the terms and conditions set forth in the consent agreement. Any single penalty or a combination of penalties may be imposed through consent between the board and the licensee. The board may assess fees for monitoring a licensee's compliance with terms and conditions set forth in a consent agreement or order of the board or it may order a summary suspension if the board finds that public health, safety and welfare requires emergency action and incorporates a finding to that effect in its order. The board can suspend a license, prohibiting the further practice of practical nursing, pending a hearing for revocation or other action. The board will notify the licensee or his or her legal guardian, trustee, committee or other representative of the suspension in writing to his or her address on record with the board. The licensee is not allowed to practice within this state until his or her license is reinstated by the board. A licensee whose license has been suspended may apply to the board for reinstatement of his or her license.
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
Planning Ahead for Nursing School
If you are still attending high school, there are some important things you can do to help prepare for a nursing career. First of all maintain a good grade point average (GPA). Admission to nursing school is competitive, and a high GPA greatly increases your chances of being accepted. Take high school courses that will help you with the college curriculum, such as chemistry, anatomy and nutrition. Study hard and practice so you can do well on the college entrance exams. Keep track and prepare for important deadlines such as the ACT - SAT deadline, college admission deadline, and financial aid deadline. Apply for and take advantage of any scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance. Visit the schools you are interested in and apply for admission to at least two nursing programs.
To do well in nursing school you must stay focused and study hard. For most students, the first semester is one of the most challenging. Nursing students get to experience classroom instruction and participate in hands-on clinical experiences in a variety of environments. It is important to keep on top of your studies to do well on tests and clinical practice. Always keep in mind that your actions as a nursing student affect your clients. It is typical of nursing programs to require that students maintain course grade averages at or above 70. Prepare for the practical nurse licensing examination by doing periodic reviews, taking practice exams, and participating in study groups. You must pass the NCLEX-PN test to become licensed as an LPN.
Career
What do LPNs do?
To become an LPN you must first complete a practical nursing program and obtain a diploma. The program prepares you for working as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Individuals who complete an LPN program become familiar with various aspects of client care such as providing basic bedside care, administering medicine, measuring and recording client's vital signs, monitoring intravenous catheters and tube feedings. LPNs may be responsible for supervising nursing assistants but just like CNAs, they may also help patients with personal hygiene, nutrition, turning and ambulation. Practical nurses are trained to evaluate and apply wound dressings, collect various fluid samples for laboratory testing, record a client's daily food and fluid intake and output, and conduct basic lab tests.
LPNs are responsible for gathering client information such as health history and present health condition. When needed, an LPN helps registered nurses or physicians conduct tests and procedures. Important aspects of an LPN's job are to monitor a client's response to medication or to a specific procedure, to communicate with other health care professionals regarding a patient's current health status, and to help determine the best outcomes of care for a client. After successfully graduating from the program, you are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination). Those who pass the NCLEX-PN exam have the legal right to practice the profession of practical nursing.
Organizations
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.
Nursys
Nursys is the only national database for verification of nurse licensure, discipline and practice privileges for RNs and LPN/VNs licensed in participating boards of nursing, including all states in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). Nursys provides online verification to a nurse requesting to practice in another state and nurse license lookup reports to employers and the general public.