As the number of elderly people in the United States increase, the number of positions available as a LPN for assisted living homes increases. Overall, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates the number of positions for LPN’s to increase by 25 percent by 2015. For those who want to enter the healthcare profession, the position as a LPN for assisted living homes offers a variety of responsibilities and opportunities for career advancement.

Duties as a LPN for Assisted Living Homes

The position as a LPN for assisted living homes includes a variety of direct patient care responsibilities such as monitoring vital signs; assisting with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene; assistance with walking; administering injections and other medications; and maintaining the clinical records of the patients. Additionally, an LPN working in an assisted living home assesses the needs to of the patients for whom her or she provides care, develops plans of care for the patients, and provides supervision for Certified Nursing assistants. The LPN works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.

The typical LPN for assisted living homes works a 40 hour work week; although the shifts are likely to include evenings, night and weekends for those working in assisted living homes due to the need for around the clock care. While LPN’s spend the majority of their shifts involved in direct patient care activities, the LPN must dedicate a significant amount of time to documenting the care provided to patient in the client records according to the standards established by the third party payment entities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary of a LPN for assisted living homes as $39,000.

Training Required for a LPN for Assisted Living Homes

For those looking for a healthcare career which does not require years of expensive training, a career as an LPN is a viable choice as the typical training lasts one year. Most training programs are offered by vocational schools or community colleges, both having lower tuition costs compared to four year colleges. The training consists of classroom work and practical clinical training, usually in a hospital setting. After completing training, the LPN must successfully complete the nursing exam required for their state.  Schools offer lpn nursing scholarships to qualified candidates too.

For LPN’s who want to advance in the profession, many choose to specialize in areas such as gerontology, pharmacology, IV therapy or long term care. An LPN for assisted living homes who specializes in one of these areas is likely to command a greater salary as compared to a LPN who is a generalist.

For those interested in pursuing a healthcare career, the relatively low costs for LPN schools and training make pursuing a career as an LPN an attractive choice.

While the cost of training as an RN or Physician’s Assistant can run into the several tens of thousands dollars, the cost of LPN training is significantly less. Additionally, the length of training required for an LPN is significantly less than that required for many healthcare professions, allowing one to enter the workforce sooner.

The Costs for LPN Schools and Training Depends on the Institution

The costs for LPN schools and training vary greatly depending on the type of institution one chooses to attend and the area of the country in which one lives. People who decide to enter the nursing profession in their teens may have the opportunity to receive LPN training in high school. The high school training programs usually occur in the senior year and typically do not have any tuition costs associated with them. The military also offers free LPN training for those who are willing to enlist in the armed forces.

For those who have already completed high school or have a GED, many public technical or vocational schools have low cost training programs for LPNs. The costs for these LPN schools and training typically range from $1,000 to $10,000. The variance accounted for by the geographic area in which the school is located. In addition, the aspiring LPN must also pay for books, equipment, such as a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff, and uniforms. The total cost for these items ranges from $750 to $1500. Private school, fast track programs, and for profit training programs can cost as much as $30,000. Graduates from all of these programs must also pay for NCLEX-PN, which is the licensing exam required for LPN’s.

Funding to Pay the Costs for LPN Schools and Training

Many sources of funding exist to pay the costs for LPN schools and training. In order to access most sources financial aid, it is necessary to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Federal and State Deadlines and to indicate the school one plans to attend. Pell grants are available for low income students and some schools might have scholarships that will cover tuition costs. Both Federal and private student loans are available to fund the costs for LPN schools and training not covered by grants and scholarships.

The NCSBN Board Members

The NCSBN is comprised of 60 member boards and this includes the fifty U.S. States, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories (American Somoa, Guam, N Mariana Islands and Virgin Islands), the states that have 2 boards of nursing – 1 for RNs and 1 for LPN/VNs (California, Georgia, Louisiana, and West Virginia), and Nebraska which has a board of nursing and a board for APRNS or advanced practice nurses.

In addition, the NCSBN has 9 associate members that include the following:

• Bermuda Nursing Council
• College of LPNs of Alberta
• College of LPNs of British Columbia
• College of Nursing of Ontario
• College of RNs of Alberta
• College of RNs of British Columbia
• College of RNs of Manitoba
• College of RNs of Nova Scotia
• Singapore Nursing Board

History of the NCSBN

The NCSBN was founded in 1978 and is separate from the ANA or American Nurses Association Council on State Boards of Nursing.  Members came to the realization that there needed to be an entity apart from the organization that represents the professional nurses as to the entity that specifically guards the safety of the public.

The member boards of the NCSBN are dedicated to ensuring that nurses new to the field have the necessary skills and knowledge base from which to practice the field of nursing.  To that end, the NCSBN created the nurse licensure exam and also became the first to introduce CAT or computerized adaptive testing.  For nearly 18 years more than 2.4 million U.S. nursing candidates have sat for the NCLEX exam by way of a computer.

NCSBN Online Continuing Education Courses and Online Study Prep for NCLEX Exams

The NCSBN offers nurses continuing education courses online.  The help nursing professionals at every stage from the nursing school student, practicing nurses and nursing instructors.  This e-learning community for nurses has very helpful information to help you with exams, documentation and ethics of nursing.

**Important* If you are preparing to take the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN you can go to the NCSBN’s Online campus and review and study for the test.  You will find over 1300 practice NCLEX “style” questions.** The cost varies on the amount of time you would like to study for the NCLEX online.  Currently the NCSBN offers the following online nursing subcriptions for 3 weeks at $50, 5 weeks at $70, 8 weeks at $100 and 15 full weeks of preparation and practice online for $160.  Here is more info about the NCSBN’s review and online studying for the NCLEX-PN exam.

Deciding to become a nurse is a big step and there are certain nursing school prerequisites that you will need to meet in order to achieve your career goals. These nursing school prerequisites refer to the basic requirements that have to be met in order to enroll in a nursing program.

Are there Different Nursing School Prerequisites Required for Different Schools?

When choosing a school you may find that there are different nursing school prerequisites required for each one.  There are differences between LPN and RN curriculum and prerequisites. While most schools have similar requirements, there may be a few differences between schools. This is why it is important to research the school carefully when you are choosing a program. Make sure that you meet all of the requirements before completing the application and paying any fees associated with the program.

General Nursing School Prerequisites

The first nursing school prerequisite that is required by nearly all programs is the applicant must have a high school diploma or GED. It is generally preferred that the student has had classes in health sciences and biology during their time as a high school student. Additionally, having good grades and high test scores in high school can make the road to getting into nursing school much easier. Once accepted into a nursing program, some schools have a nursing school prerequisite that requires that a certain GPA be maintained throughout the program. This may be different depending on the school. However, it is generally required that some of the nursing classes must be passed with a specific GPA in order to continue in the program. In order to become an LPN or RN, a student will need to complete the nursing program successfully and then sit for state licensing examinations. The National Council Licensure Examination is required in order for an individual to work as a nurse. This examination is required of all vocational, registered, and practical nurses. Each county may have a different national examination that is required. In addition, the laws for state licenses will vary based on the state and typically there are state examinations required for licensing as well.

The most important thing to note when looking into a career as a nurse is to choose a program that is right for you. Choose a program that is accredited and will work to meet your scheduling needs. Once you have decided on a program, it is important to research the nursing school prerequisites that are required for that particular program.

Your typical LPN curriculum is going to go over a lot of material that seems elementary at first but in reality is much more involved than you’d expect. Some of the courses you can expect to take are fundamentals of nursing, anatomy/physiology, contemporary health issues and vocational adjustment. LPN programs are designed to get you ready for all of the aspects of being a licensed practical nurse, which is why most programs will include psychiatric nursing classes as well as introductions to pharmacology.

Introduction to the LPN Curriculum

Specifically a fundamental nursing class within an LPN program is focused on giving you everything that you as a nursing student must know before venturing further with your education. Topics covered are overviews of the career, nursing processes, human development and psychosocial nursing. Other classes that are taught early on are classes that deal with contemporary health issues and vocational adjustment to help give you more information about how to transition into the job as well as issues within the health field.

The Knowledge to Be Gained From the LPN Curriculum

An LPN curriculum also teaches its students up-to-date information on anatomy and physiology, knowing what to do and how to treat a limb or organ with the latest technology and techniques. One class that will help shed some much needed information is that of diet and nutritional therapy. There are a lot of claims out there that certain pills can do this or that for you, or if you avoid eating something then you can live longer and prevent a disease. With a diet and nutritional therapy class the latest and most accurate information will be taught so that you, the LPN, can pass on the right information to the patient.

Some of the more specialized training within the LPN curriculum and LPN program is that of maternal and child health, medical-surgical nursing and psychiatric nursing. With a basic knowledge in these specialties you, the LPN student, will be able to move further in your career. A maternal and child health specialty nurse is there to care for mothers and their newborn babies. Medical-surgical nurses are there to assist before and after surgeries as a part of a surgical team, and psychiatric nurses are there to provide specialized care for psychiatric patients in mental hospitals and other institutions. The LPN curriculum is broad so that a licensed practical nurse can be ready for any situation and are effective members of any treatment team.

Types of Nursing School Programs and Scope of Duties:

1.   Practical or Vocational Nurse Programs

Credentials: LVN or LPN License

Length of Program: 9-12 months

Nursing Training Classes delivered via high school, hospitals and vocational technical schools.

Scope of nursing duties: basic technical bedside care, hospitals, nursing homes, home care and office in LPN positions.

2.   Hospital Diploma Programs

Credentials: Prepares candidate for RN license

Length of Program: 2 to 3 years

Nurses training classes delivered by hospitals and sometimes in conjunction with colleges

Scope of nursing duties: basic RN positions, hospitals and agency care

3.   Associate Degree Nursing Programs

Credentials: Prepares for RN license

Length of Program: 2 years

Nursing training classes delivered by Community and Junior Colleges

Scope of Associate Degree in Nursing: Basic technical care in RN positions, primarily institutions

4.   Bachelor’s Degree Nursing School Programs a.k.a. Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Programs

Credentials: BSN Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing & Prep for RN License

Nursing school provided by colleges and universities

Length of Program: 2 to 4 years depending on type of option – mobility option 2 years

Nursing School Program delivered by Universities

Scope of nursing duties: basic professional practice as RN, management, community and public health, prepares for graduate school and certification.

5.   Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN)

Credentials: MSN – Master’s in Nursing

Length of Program: 1 to 2 years beyond RN programs

MSN educational requirements delivered by Universities

MSN scope of duties: Advanced clinical practice, management, education and leadership positions.

6.   Doctoral Degree in Nursing (PhD, DSN, DNSc, DNP)

Credentials: PhD, DSN, DNSc, DNP

Length of Program: Varies 2 to 3 years beyond BSN and MSN

Nursing school requirements for Doctoral nursing degrees delivered by Universities

Doctoral Nursing scope and practice: Advanced nursing for research, clinical practice and leadership positions.

Step your way through Nursing School Programs to Success!

As you make your way through the nursing school programs and certifications you are afforded the opportunity to continue your education and employment opportunities in various nursing specialties. Starting with LPN and LVN certification, you can step your way up the nursing ladder by continuing your education.

Further accelerating the process is flexible nursing education, mobility, and distance learning nursing school programs. Distance and mobility (online nursing programs) are now available. The trend in nursing school programs online is bolstered by the success of these programs, the ever increasing needs of nursing students, nursing shortages and of course the worldwide acceptance of electronic learning technology.

There’s never been a better time to enroll in nursing school programs. The demand for your nursing skills is high and the number of qualified and certified nurses is not keeping pace with the baby-boomers and retiring professional nurses.

Online Nursing Programs and Nursing School

While there are certainly online nursing programs available in most every state, candidates would still need some on-campus or on-site training for nursing skills and clinical applications. Many nursing classes, however, are indeed available online for you to take at your own self pace. Many vocational and community colleges have begun to offer online nursing programs because more students need a fast and efficient way to complete their LPN, RN, CNA or BSN degrees.

Instead of sitting in daily nursing classes, a newly enrolled nursing candidate will be given their curriculum via the online nursing programs. Typically you will go to an orientation class offered by the teacher and they will give you the parameters for studying, submitting homework online and the online nursing tests. You will receive instructions on how to complete the clinical portions of your nursing degree or nurses certification.

Best Online Nursing Programs

The Best Online Nursing Programs are quiet simply those that are certified and those online nursing programs that work best for YOU.

In the side bar menu of LPN Jobs you can find your state listed and then a list of the state’s board of nursing certified and approved LPN training schools and those offering online nursing programs.

Top nationally recognized Online Nursing Programs are as follows:

Kaplan University

University of Phoenix

Carrington College

Online Nursing Programs Specialties:

Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN (Associates online nursing degree)

Certified Nursing Assistant or CNA (Associates online nursing degree)

Medical Assistant (Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Ultra-Sound Tech, Radiology Tech and Phlebotomy Techs)

Registered Nurse or RN (4 year degree with many required nursing classes and training classes offered online)

The LPN online nursing program is the quickest entry into the nursing field with the best pay and can be completed in as little as 12-18 months. With the incredible growth of the internet and online college course offerings, a nursing degree is much easier to obtain and within the grasp of those who would not otherwise have the time or resources to travel back and forth to on campus classes.

NCLEX-PN Test Requirements

The 2011 NCLEX-PN Exam requires all practical and vocational nurse candidates to answer a minimum of 85 items. The maximum number of items that the nurse candidate can answer is 205 during the five hour time period. The maximum time allotment of 5 hours includes the 2011 NCLEX-PN tutorial, all sample questions and breaks.

Sitting for the 2011 NCLEX-PN Exam

The NCLEX-PN examination is presented to nursing candidates using computerized adaptive testing or CAT. CAT delivers the exam to students utilizing computer technology combined with measurement theory. CAT for the 2011 NCLEX-PN exam is unique to each LPN candidate because the test progresses and is assemble interactively based on the candidates answers to proceeding questions.

The 2011 NCLEX-PN examination continues until the computer delivers a pass or fail determination. Questions are presented as multiple choice, multiple response, fill-in-the blank, and ordered responses. More info about the LPN exam can be viewed on the NCSBN website.

The 2011 NCLEX-PN Exam Test Plan

According to the NCSBN, practical and vocational nurses use “specialized knowledge and skills which meet the health needs of people in a variety of settings under the direction of qualified health professionals” (NFLPN, 2003). The 2011 NCLEX-PN exam measures the ability of a nurse candidate to use clinical problem-solving processes to gather and organize pertinent health care data, the ability to identify health needs and problems thru a patients life span and demonstrate essential competencies needed to care for patients.

The 2011 NCLEX-PN exam is organized into four core Client Needs categories. Each category contains core competencies and subcategories to test the nurse candidates.  Here are the four areas and the percentage of items on the 2011-2012 NCLEX-PN examination:

Safe and Effective Care Environment

• Coordinated Care  -  13 to 19% on exam
• Safety and Infection Control  -  11 to 17% on exam

Health Promotion and Maintenance - 7 to 13% on exam

Psychosocial Integrity -  7 to 13% on exam

Physiological Integrity

• Basic Care and Comfort  -  9 to 15% on exam
• Pharmacological Therapies  -  11 to 17% on exam
• Reduction of Risk Potential  -  9 to 15% on exam
• Physiological Adaptation  -  9 to 15% on exam

Taking the 2011 NCLEX-PN exam is not terribly difficult if you have been properly prepared by a certified LPN training programs.  In addition, most LPN schools provide extra assistance with test preparation, sample NCLEX-PN exam questions and study guides.

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) wages and salaries can vary greatly throughout the U.S. and those in larger metropolitan areas often earn more than nurses in rural areas.  According to the May 2010 US Department of Labor an LPN is defined as nursing assistants who with the supervision of an RN help care for the ill, injured, convalescing and patients with disabilities in homes, clinics, nursing homes and hospital settings.

National LPN Wages

Of the nearly 750,000 licensed practical nurses and vocational nurses in the United States, the average wages are $19.88 per hour and the mean lpn salary is $41,360 per year.  On the low end of the lpn salary and wage chart the practical nurse earns $14.27 hourly and $29,680 yearly.  On the high end an lpn wages are $27.00 hourly and an lpn salary of over $56,000 annually.

Nursing care facilities, home healthcare services and community care services for the elderly are the top industries for lpn wages and salaries countrywide. These 3 areas make up over 25% of the employers for certified practical nurses and vocational nurses.  Some of the top lpn wages are found in the administrative and computer related services that service physicians offices and managed care providers.

Best Paying States and Metropolitan Cities for LPN Wages and Salaries

Top 5 paying states for licensed practical nurses are as follows:

1. Connecticut LPN Jobs – Average LPN Salary = $53,280
2. New Jersey LPN Jobs – Average LPN Salary = $50,950
3. Rhode Island LPN Jobs – Average LPN Salary = $50,900
4. California LPN Jobs – Average LPN Salary = $50,490
5. Nevada LPN Jobs – Average LPN Salary = $50,150

Top 5 paying metropolitan cities for LPN wages and salaries:

1. Santa Rosa – Petaluma, California – Average LPN Salary = $58,460
2. Salinas, California – Average LPN Salary = $58,330
3. San Francisco – Redwood City – San Mateo, California – Average LPN Wages = $58,000
4. San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara, California – Average LPN Salary = $57,550
5. Oakland – Fremont – Hayward, California – Average LPN Salary = $57,320

It is interesting to note that the Labor and Statistics study for LPN wages also shows those state metropolitan areas that have the highest concentration of lpn jobs.

The highest practical nursing jobs concentrations:

1. Sherman-Denison, Texas LPN – 21.89 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $42,240
2. Victoria, Texas LPN – 19.92 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $36,180
3. Rome, Georgia LPN – 17.81 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $34,530
4. Hot Springs, Arkansas LPN – 17.56 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $34,670
5. Sandusky, Ohio LPN – 17.33 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $39,560
6. Lawton, Oklahoma LPN – 17.30 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $32,570
7. Alexandria, Louisiana LPN – 15.30 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $35,040
8. Tyler, Texas LPN – 15.27 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $40,800
9. Pine Bluff, Arkansas LPN – 15.04 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $30,380
10. Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana – 14.70 lpn jobs per thousand – Average LPN Wages = $37,700

These LPN wages are encouraging even in a good economy, yet even better in the current economic downturn.  Besides the wages for an LPN is the higher chances of landing a nursing job due to the healthcare industry’s demand for new practical nurses.  Of course, the lpn salary is not the only factor for your choice to become a nurse – it should be to serve and care for others, provide for you and your family, and do something that you love.

The quickest way to enter the nursing field is to obtain your LPN or Licensed Practical Nurse certification from an accredited and state nursing board approved school via fast track lpn training programs. Fast track LPN or LVN programs are offered at on-campus sites and nursing programs online in most states. Online nursing programs still require you to have clinical class room time and hands-on training under supervision.

LPN courses will take you approximately 9 to 18 months to complete. It is important to note that some LPN fast track programs offered are not accredited. You must obtain your practical nursing degree from schools that are approved by the state’s board of nursing.

LPN Requirements

There are some basic requirements that you must meet prior to applying for LPN school. First, you must be at least 18 years old and have your high school diploma or GED. When you apply to LPN schools you will need to take a very basic AST (Academic Skills Test) entrance exam. The test consists of basic math, English and science questions. Typically there is $50 fee from the school to sit for the test and if you fail you simply re-take the test, however, you may have to wait 1 month.

Your LPN training must be a program spanning at a minimum of 9 months.  When you have completed your training program you must then sit and pass the National Council Licensure Exam or NCLEX-PN.  The exam is administered nationwide to entry level nursing students.

LPN Training Courses and Curriculum

While licensed practical nursing programs may vary from program to program there are basics that each school will impart to you. These include the following areas:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Human Growth and Development
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Introduction to Pharmacology
• Maternal and Child Health
• Nutrition and Diet
• Fundamentals of Nursing

Your LPN training programs will also include chemistry, biology, emergency medical techniques, CPR, first aid and bedside patient care.  Most importantly you will receive supervised instruction form licensed nursing professionals in a clinical and patient care setting.

LPN fast track training programs allow you to enter the nursing field in a very short amount of time compared to many other medical fields.  After you secure your LPN license and gain work experience you may want to consider your next step to become an RN or registered nurse!