September 2020
equal opportunity employment journal
Page 15
Is a Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse Right for You?
If
you're interested in a career in nursing, you may assume that you'll need a two- or four-year degree to accomplish your goals. While that's true for some nursing jobs, it's not the case with vocational nursing. You can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN)— also called a licensed vocational nurse in some states–in about 12 months, which drastically reduces your education costs and lets you quickly start a rewarding career. As an LPN, you'll provide much of the same care that a registered nurse (RN) gives. Your responsibilities will be vital but somewhat more limited than that of an RN, and you'll work under the supervision of an RN or doctor.
What LPNs Do
You'll have one-on-one contact with patients and provide the following types of care: • Taking vital signs (temperature, blood pressure, pulse, etc.) • Performing basic nursing duties (changing dressings, inserting catheters, etc.) • Giving injections • Helping patients bathe or dress • Reporting adverse reactions to medications or treatments • Collecting samples for testing • Performing routine laboratory tests
you if you have the following skills and interests: • A desire to be a caregiver and to help others • Good communication skills • Working with a wide variety of people • Being detail-oriented and able to understand and explain information you receive from patients and other health-care personnel
Requirements
You'll need to complete the following requirements before starting your career: • Completion of a state-approved educational program • Earning a license by passing a NCLEX-PN exam
Job Outlook and Pay
Pay for LPNs is quite good, especially considering the relatively short amount of time it takes to start your career. Median pay is around $41,540 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job outlook is excellent, with the field growing much faster than average. From 2012-2022, jobs are expected to increase by 25 percent. Licensed practical nursing is a rewarding, in-demand career that can be started in about 12 months. These nurses provide a great deal of one-on-one care for patients, with some General Skills Required A career as an LPN may be right for duties overlapping those of an RN.
Article provided by Constant-Content.com
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