Steps to Become an LPN
Are you a student with no idea what you’d like to do for a living, or perhaps you’ve been “downsized” from your corporate job and don’t have a clue what the next chapter of your professional life entails? You may want to look into various allied health jobs, which typically require minimal schooling, one such job is that of a licensed practical nurse, or LPN. LPNs are entry level nurses that report to physicians and registered nurses (RNs), and who only require one year of training.
If you’ve ever thought of joining the nursing field, become an LPN may be exactly what you need, as it will allow you to get your feet wet in nursing without the time investment required to become a registered nurse. You’ll only need to attend classes for 1 year in order to become certified as an LPN, and then you can start work and gain valuable experience and insight into the nursing field at large – specifically, whether nursing is enjoyable and satisfying for you. While an LPN salary might not be as high as that of a registered nurse, think of it as a stepping stone position or a paid internship. That way you won’t feel pressured to make a lot before you even know if nursing is the ideal career for you.
There are several basic steps to getting certified as an LPN. First, you need to complete high school and obtain your diploma. Next, you must join an LPN program, consisting of 4 courses: Practical Nursing I, II, III and pharmacology–then you must complete a clinical hands on session. The clinical session is critical to your development as an RN, similarly to the way an internship or an apprenticeship gives people hands on experience with whatever vocation they are pursuing. During your clinical class, you will gain practical knowledge on the activities and duties that LPNs perform on the job daily.
Lastly, to become an LPN you must become licensed in your state. This requires passage of the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing, otherwise known as the NCLEX-PN. There is a similar test for registered nurses called the NCLEX-RN. The licensing requirements are specific to the state in which you plan on working, so be sure to visit your local nurse association to find out exactly what else is required.
Once licensed, the last step is to start your job hunt and gain experience. After one or two years, if you believe nursing is a favorable career choice for you, it’s strongly recommended that you go back to school to become an RN, as you can take on more responsibility, more satisfactory job duties, and of course higher pay. However, like with every vocation, higher pay requires higher training. So you will want to go back to school and get your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
The field of nursing is extremely attractive as there is always demand and contains the most job security possible. No matter what the economic conditions, people will always have health concerns and need to see the doctor.
Good luck with your new career!
