LPN stands for "licensed practical nurse". This type of nurse usually works under the supervision of a registered nurse and can be responsible for a variety of caretaking tasks, including patient feeding, medical record updating, patient call answering, and vital sign monitoring. In some states, an LPN is allowed to administer intravenous medication as well. In California and Texas, an LPN is referred to as an LVN (licensed vocational nurse). On the nursing hierarchy, an LPN takes on more responsibility than a certified nurse assistant, but not quite as much as an RN.
Becoming an LPN
In order to become an LPN, one must hold his/her high school diploma or equivalent and then complete a two-year practical nursing program. Upon course completion, a candidate must pass the NCLEX-PN to become officially licensed as an LPN. LPNs can expect to earn approximately $16 per hour, which is the national average.
Comparing Online LPN Programs
There are many colleges that offer LPN training online, so that anyone can learn from home in his/her spare time without having to quit his/her job. Some things to consider when looking for an online LPN program include time flexibility, cost, prerequisites, and professor availability.
Ask yourself first how much spare time you have to study in an online LPN program. You should be able to complete your training online without having to sacrifice your day job. Maybe you also have family to consider. Additionally, you should be sure to look at cost to make sure that enrolling isn't going to put a huge dent in your budget.
Also be sure to consider any prerequisites that a program may have. Most online LPN programs will require nothing more than a high school diploma, but it never hurts to double check this. Also consider your computer system requirements as well. Make sure you have a reliable Internet connection and a sturdy Word processing program and you should be good to go.
Finally, it is usually helpful if you can get in touch with professors during the course of a class term. Some programs allow for more communication than others, so you will definitely want to consider this factor as well.
To find out more about choosing an online LPN program, Sara Reed recommends Nursing Online Degree.
» left by Anonymous (1 year 186 days ago.)
I FINALLY FOUND ONE!!! AFTER 2 YEARS OF SEARCHING. You can attend from any state, it is totally online but you have to go there for clinicals, there is a weekend option for the clinicals. It is in Minnesota, you test for your license in Minnesota, you must check with your state board to make sure they will let you reciprocate your license from Minnesota to your state and here is the link, just remove the spaces, I am really excited!!!! distance dot minnesota dot edu hope everyone checks it out Respond to this comment
» left by kurt from michigan (1 year 10 days ago.)
hey thanks alot! trying to find online college for a long time i have 45 credits toward my R.N. degree but there is a waiting list which ive been on for three years. i have to move on because there are not enough teachers or facilities. r u attending this school now?
I live in Michigan and doing the online nursing program thru minnesota would very costly for clinicals on the weekend. Does anybody know if there is anything nearby?I have my certificate as a nurse assistant and medical assistant and have been trying to find a LPN program online for about 2 years also. I work full-time from 8-4:30 and i am a mother of 5 children with 3 at home still and trying to get my degree. I know with a nurse shortage and while i was in my clinicals for RN the1st year I had to quit due my son had an accident he had a 50/50 chance on living. I attempt again to accomplish my clinicals but this time again I had another tragedy in my life this time it was my husband he had malignant malenoma. I finally gave on nursing and attempt to get my MA and I did finish it and I've been a ma ever since.
I wish even with the nursing shortage the states would want to help or find a solution on helping people that really want to be a nurse.Except fianancially and the time to take off of work is very difficult with a family .
» left by ravensky from North Carolina (334 days 22 hours ago.)
I live in North Carolina and am about to graduate from an online LPN program. I am having trouble finding a job that pays over $14 an hour, that is all the hospital I work at wants to pay, and It is a very large hospital. My teacher says that the average is $19 per hour but I haven't found anything close.... help???
» left by arkansas from pocahontas AR (321 days 5 hours ago.)
What school are you attending online?? Please give us the name of it as you can see NO ONE can seem to find a totally online LPN program..... ANYWHERE! LOL any information is appreciated!!!
» left by sharon sulser from south carolina (258 days 19 hours ago.)
please tell me where you are attending an online lpn program?? i live in south carolina and have been searching and searching as there is such a waiting list for the community colleges. i can become a resident of north carolina if necessary. HELP!!
» left by Pam Frith from Birmingham, Alabama (203 days 13 hours ago.)
Hello,
There is a LPN on line program in NC. Davidson Community College located at 1205 Salisbury Road Mocksville, NC 27360 Phone # 336-249-8186. I hope this helps.
» left by mimi from durham,nc (241 days 21 hours ago.)
hi, can u please give me the online lpn program school name? i'm a mpther of 2 and i work as a cna, i have been trying to go back to school but it hasn't been easy. i need online program. thanks
Could you please give me the name of the LPN program that you are about to gradutate from online? I live in NC as well and I've been searching for a long time and could not find one.
» left by Angel from Taylorsville,NC (172 days 17 hours ago.)
Dear Sara, Ive been trying to find an online program... Do you have any sugestions, What online program did you enroll on? I'd appreciat your response A>S>A>P thank you very much,
I too have been unlucky at finding an online course of study of one year for LPNs with a bridge of one year to RN. I am very limited as I live in Hawaii, but I work where they have two sit in schools do their clinicals. Any and all help is appreciated.
» left by Raquel from Colorado (321 days 21 hours ago.)
I have been trying to find an online lpn program but so far have not found any.l think this is not possible and is a waste of time. If there is a online lpn program out there,and I am wrong, please share this information. Thank you
» left by arkansas from pocahontas, AR (321 days 4 hours ago.)
I looked into the school in Minnesota everyone is talking about and it is NOT a completely online course.. there are on site requirements/classes that have to be taken on campus as well as clinicals in that area.. I am beginning to wonder if an online LPN course even exists...?
» left by Katrina from Oklahoma (308 days 21 hours ago.)
Hey guys there is an online LPN course throught the North Central Texas College in Gainesville, TX. But you have to do your clinicals there in Gaineville. Hope this helps!
» left by bonnie golding from nassua county,ny (260 days 2 hours ago.)
I think the time I took to view these comments was a waste of time. In general people want to find a lpn oline program but from what I am reading there are no programs. please note that people need serious help and if it is not your goal to do so , don't waste anyone time or get their hopes up high. If you have information on a variety of lpn courses then please let us know.
before attending an online LPN program, find out from your state if they approve the school. Not all states recognize online programs, especially from another state.
please help! are there any online LPN courses available. i live in kentucky and all the short term programs u have to attend 8 hrs a day monday-friday who can afford that being a single parent and trying to work. I have been a cna since i was 18 im now almost 31 please let me know please no jokes. i have attempted college six times. thanks
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