What Does It Take to Become an LPN?
Training programs to become an LPN---a Licensed Practical Nurse---usually take about one year to complete. A nurse in this position might also be referred to as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), but the LPN designation is more often used. Training classes can be offered by hospitals, vocational education programs, technical college programs and community colleges. The student will test for certification by taking the NCLEX-PN. This test will certify them to work as a LPN.
Anatomy and Physiology
Classes in anatomy and physiology will teach the student the intricate workings of the human body. She will learn about the various systems that make up the body---the circulatory system, digestive system, nervous system, respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system. The class will usually require participation in an anatomy and physiology lab. This lab will usually require participation in dissection activities.
Basic Nursing Skills
The fundamentals of nursing course will train the student in performing basic clinical skills. These skills will be used when working with patients. The student nurse will learn take blood pressure readings and write down their findings in the patient's chart. He'll learn perform CPR, take a pulse and take a patient's temperature. He'll also learn other basic care skills, such as bedside nursing care, change a patient's bedding and apply dressings.
Administration of Drugs
The student will receive training in the administration of medications. She'll need to know basic math facts that pertain to dosage measurements, and will learn read a chart and measure the proper dosage of medication prescribed. She'll study the pharmaceutical terms and will become familiar with the terminology required when working with medications, as well as learn administer injections and immunizations. Some LPNs are allowed to start IVs, but this often requires advanced training and certification.
Nursing Theory
The theoretical part of the training will teach about the different types of medicinal situations in which you'll be working. These classes will coincide with the clinical training listed in the following section. The nursing student will learn relate to pediatric patients and care for their situations, as well as relate to geriatric patients and the various needs they'll have in a hospital setting. Students also learn about pre-surgical and post-surgical care, deal with mental health patients and care for a mother in labor and her newborn child.
Clinical Training
The student nurse will be required to spend part of their education doing on-the-job training in various hospital and clinical situations they'll come across as a nurse. The students will apply the skills they have learned in their classes, while working in rotations through the various departments in which they've studied. They might work in the maternity-child unit, the surgical unit, the pediatric unit and geriatrics. They'll have hands-on training in working with each of these medical situations. They might also work in mental health clinics.
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