The nursing profession is booming with opportunities. This in-demand career is expected to grow even more during the next 10 years, which can mean an array of different job opportunities for those who are dreaming about becoming a licensed practical nurse. For someone who is passionate about taking care of others, becoming a nurse can bring satisfaction that goes beyond the financial reward. As a licensed practical nurse, you will be helping people on a daily basis and making an impact on their lives.
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) care for patients, but they cannot work independently. These professionals work under the supervision of registered nurses (RN) and physicians, doing a multitude of tasks like executing patient care plans, cleaning wounds, monitoring vital signs and reporting patient status to supervisors. The work licensed practical nurses do is very important for any health care setting.
If you are currently considering a career as a licensed practical nurse, you might be wondering where to start. Here is a list of simple steps to follow if you are planning to start a career as a practical nurse but don’t know where to begin.
Learn more about the profession
Step one is to do your research. In order to choose this career path, the best thing is to understand is what you will be doing on a daily basis, in what kind of settings you can work, and what is the job outlook for licensed practical nurses. Making an informed decision will give you more confidence about your choices and you will know what to expect from your career.
It’s important to know that licensed practical nurses can work in different health care settings, including hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities. You can also choose an area of practice. If you are interested in pediatrics, for example, you might choose to focus on this area and work only providing care for children.
Licensed practical nurses also can play different roles in a health care facility. You can expect to work as a counselor or a manager, managing patient care or being a team leader.
Choose an accredited school
There are many choices of practical nursing programs. You must look for one that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency. If you choose to attend a school that is not approved, you might end up in an unauthorized program. So make sure to start on the right foot and do your research about the schools you are considering.
Other things to contemplate when choosing the best school for you is the length of the program, curriculum, opportunities to practice what you are learning and the instructors you will have. At Penn Commercial Business/Technical School, the practical nursing program will equip you with theoretical foundation, hands-on training, skills and the necessary perspective to become a well-rounded health professional. The program can be completed in 12 months.
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School has relationships with a number of health care facilities in the Pennsylvania area. During your externship, you will train in one of these facilities under the direct supervision of medical professionals, facing real-life situations.
Having a well-rounded education that prepares you for what you will find in real-world settings is crucial. If you are trained in every skill you might need when working with real people, you will feel more confident and find a job more easily.
Become licensed
In order to start working as a practical nurse, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) and a state licensure exam.
These are the basic steps to become a licensed practical nurse. But it goes without saying that you need to enjoy taking care of others to become successful in your career. You also must like to communicate with people and patients, since this will be an intrinsic part of your job.
After you complete all these steps, get ready for interviews, and soon enough you will be launching your career as a licensed practical nurse. To learn more about Penn Commercial Business/Technical School’s practical nursing program, visit us here!
