Nursing remains one of the hottest career fields. So, if you want to start a career in nursing quickly then becoming an LPN is the stepping stone to get you there. There are a variety of online colleges offering online LPN programs to suit your needs.
Nature of Work
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) care for the sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direct supervision of physicians and registered nurses. However, experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.
Patient Care
LPNs care for patients in many ways in a variety of settings. However, some LPNS may work in a specialized setting, such as a nursing home, a doctor’s office, or in home healthcare.
LPNs may care for patients by providing:
- LPNs provide basic bedside and personal hygiene care.
- LPNs measure and record patients’ vital signs such as weight, temperature, and so on.
- Prepare and give injections and enemas
- Monitor catheters
- Dress wounds
- LPNs might also feed patients who need help eating.
- and give alcohol rubs and massages, and much more.
Online LPN Training and Qualifications
LPNs must be licensed to practice. Most State-approved practical training programs last about 1 year, and must be completed to be eligible for licensure. These practical training programs are usually offered by vocational and technical schools, community or junior colleges and various online colleges and Universities. 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.
Employment Setting
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 25 percent of LPNs worked in hospitals, 28 percent in nursing care facilities, and another 12 percent in offices of physicians. Others worked for home healthcare services; employment services; residential care facilities; community care facilities for the elderly; outpatient care centers; and Federal, State, and local government agencies.
Job Prospects for LPNs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, in addition to projected job growth, job openings will result from replacement needs, as many workers leave the occupation permanently. Very good job opportunities are expected. Rapid employment growth is projected in most healthcare industries, with the best job opportunities occurring in nursing care facilities and in home healthcare services. There is a perceived inadequacy of available healthcare in many rural areas, so LPNs willing to locate in rural areas should have good job prospects.
Get the online training you need to become a licensed practical nurse. This can be a career goal in itself or a stepping stone towards furthering your nursing career.
Actually, earning an associate degree in nursing is not a bad choice. Nursing shortage is expected to grow annually through 2016, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. The demand for nurses may create over a million new jobs; this is why now is the best time to acquire nursing degree online. It’s time to explore your chances for a nursing career.
Online Nursing Education
A one-year or associates degree in nursing is very popular at community colleges. These online or distance learning options for the associate degree are available online and offer practical curriculums. If you decide at a later time you want to pursue your nursing education further, you can earn your BSN then you can jump right into an Associates-to-BSN degree program available through many online nursing programs. LPN/LVN degree programs can usually be completed within a year. RNs require a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree for nurse practitioners. BSN degrees offer the widest array of career options and nurses at the PhD level are mostly found in research positions or as educators.
Salary for Nurses
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in May 2006 was $57,280, with the lowest ten percent earning less than $40,250 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $83,440. RNs earn approximately $15,000 more per year then their Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) counterparts. It’s obviously worth it to pursue to nursing degree online!
Online associate nursing degree programs offered through distance learning by accredited online scolleges and universities are listed below:
- Western Career College - At Western Career College, you can obtain valuable career training in a highly supportive learning environment, attending classes at the times and places that are convenient to you.
- Rasmussen College - One-hundred-ten years after the founding of Rasmussen, the college continues to stay true to its mission to be a leader in education by expanding its offerings to include Bachelor’s degrees, and by earning regional accreditation. Rasmussen College is also known as a leader in online learning, with more than 14,000 students and 1,000 faculty members.
- South University College of Nursing - Thinking about a career in nursing? Well, discover how South University’s nursing programs can help you learn the skills needed for this rewarding career.
- Kaplan University School of Nursing - When you enroll in Kaplan University School of Nursing online, you will enjoy the flexibility of pursuing your educational goals from the convenience of your own home or anywhere you have Internet access.
Save the headache and expense of commuting and have more time for family, work, and other social activities. Online associate degrees in nursing make available to the nursing students flexibility, a variety of career choices and specialties. So, take the first step towards your associate’s degree in nursing online.
