Have you ever considered a career that allows you to help people? Would you like to be part of a team where your communication skills and compassion can make people’s lives better? Then you should consider becoming an LPN or Licensed Practical Nurse! What is an LPN, and is it the career for you? Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse is the perfect career move if you enjoy helping others and value having a positive impact on people’s lives. Not only is a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) incredibly fulfilling, but Licensed Practical Nurses are valued members of any patient care team they join.
Take the first step in your career journey today!
What Is An LPN?
So, what is an LPN? An LPN is a key connection between the patient and other medical team members. Your skills and abilities to interact with people will help reduce the stress of what can be very unfamiliar environments to patients. Working alongside other medical professionals, you can help with:
- Short and long-term patient recovery
- Providing reassurance and comfort to patients
- Therapeutic care and rehabilitation
- Community care, providing both onsite and home-based healthcare services
What Does An LPN Do?
What is an LPNs job description? While roles will vary depending on the clinical facility, as an LPN, your tasks can include;
- Monitoring a patient’s health, vital signs, and blood pressure
- Administration of medication
- The application of IV drips and catheters
- Wound care and dressing
- Personal patient care, including bathing and dressing
- Patient history and medical administration
Where Does An LPN Work?
Another appealing aspect of becoming an LPN is the variety of medical facilities where LPNs are needed. Being an LPN offers an incredible opportunity to become a care specialist in various fields, not just limited to hospital care. What is an LPN able to do outside of a hospital environment? As a qualified Licensed Practical Nurse LPN, you can provide care for people in:
- Private Doctor and physicians’ offices and clinics
- Long term care facilities and nursing homes
- Therapeutic care in rehabilitation centers
- Military medical facilities
- In-home healthcare services
LPNs often make a huge impact with the patients or facility residents in these environments while working alongside other medical professionals.
What Is The Career Outlook For An LPN?
The variety of facilities where you can apply your skills and help people is amazing. But now you’re wondering, what is an LPN’s career outlook? The great news is that there is an expected 9% employment increase for Licensed Practical Nurses. With 60,700 openings being projected each year, on average, over the decade in this field, the outlook for LPN is strong. As an example, (1) The BLS also estimates the national median annual wage for an LPN is $54,620 (2) and the mean salary estimates for a LPN in New York is $57,560(3) and $68,170 in Massachusetts (3). LPNs may also qualify to become a Registered Nurse (RN) with further nursing education and experience. According to the BLS, the national median annual wage for an RN is $81,220 (4).
How To Become A Licensed Practical Nurse
The first step to becoming an LPN is to enroll in a state-approved practical nursing school training program. These courses include curriculums that offer classroom-based and supervised real-life practical training. Mildred Elley’s LPN program provides in-depth training to master the theoretical and practical skills needed. After completing the program successfully, NYS graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) in New York, and Pittsfield graduates can take the NCLEX in Massachusetts.
Take the first step towards your LPN career with Mildred Elley today!
Here at Mildred Elley, our Practical Nursing Course will not just prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam; but also provide you with the best platform for a career as an LPN. Our instructors provide advanced in-class training, as well as supervised real-world clinical experience. Mildred Elley also provides licensed graduates lifetime job placement assistance in their new career in the healthcare industry. So the next time someone asks you ‘what is an LPN,’ you can tell them it’s the best career move you ever made.
Sources:
1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-6
2. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-5
3. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm#st
4. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm#tab-5
