How to Enroll In an LPN School near Ravenel South Carolina
Now that you have decided on a fulfilling vocation in the field of nursing, it’s essential that you find a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) school near Ravenel SC that will deliver the proper education. If you live in Texas or California, then you will be searching for a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) school instead. There is no difference, apart from the names, between an LPN and an LVN. They both perform the same job functions and work in healthcare facilities under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RN) or Doctors. But their functions do fluctuate depending on the state they practice in, which we will look at in the next section. When beginning their search for LPN schools, many prospective nursing students begin with the ones that are the nearest to their homes or that are the least costly. Although price and location are important factors, they are not the only qualifications that you should base your decision on. Other variables, for instance if the schools are accredited or have high pass rates on the licensing exam are extremely important too. There are additional questions that you should ask prospective schools before enrolling in an LPN program that we will talk about later in this article. But first, let’s take a look at the role of an LPN and what is involved in the instruction and licensing process.
What is an LPN in Ravenel SC?
Licensed Practical Nurses have many different tasks that they carry out in the Ravenel SC medical facilities where they are employed. As their titles imply, they are required to be licensed in all states, including South Carolina. Even though they may be accountable for overseeing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves generally work under the guidance of either an RN or a doctor. The medical facilities where they work are numerous and varied, for example hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anywhere that you can encounter patients in need of medical attention is their domain. Every state not only oversees their licensing, but also what functions an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their everyday work functions may include:
- Measuring vital signs
- Providing medications
- Initiating IV drips
- Monitoring patients
- Getting blood or urine samples
- Managing patient records
- Helping doctors or RNs with procedures
Along with their occupational duties being mandated by each state, the medical facilities or other Ravenel SC healthcare providers where LPNs work can additionally limit their job roles within those parameters. Additionally, they can practice in various specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.
LPN Programs in South Carolina
There are essentially two scholastic accreditations available that provide training to become an LPN. The one that can be concluded in the shortest time period, usually about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma course. The second alternative is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and typically require 2 years to complete. The benefit of Associate Degrees, besides providing a higher credential and more extensive training, are that they furnish more transferrable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Regardless of the type of credential you seek, it needs to be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or some other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the syllabus properly prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.
Online LPN Programs
Attending LPN programs online is becoming a more favored way to receive training and earn a nursing certificate or degree in Ravenel SC. Some schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and almost all programs require a specific amount of clinical rotation hours conducted in a local healthcare center. But since the rest of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more accommodating solution to finding the free time to attend college for some students. Concerning tuition, a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more easily affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. Therefore if your job and household obligations have left you with limited time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN program will make it easier to fit a degree into your busy schedule.
Things to Ask LPN Schools
Now that you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, as well as if you will attend classes on campus or online, you can use the following checklist to start narrowing down your options. As you undoubtedly are aware, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges near Ravenel SC as well as within South Carolina and throughout the United States. So it is essential to decrease the number of schools to choose from to ensure that you will have a manageable list. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school and the price of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the initial two things that you will take into consideration. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So prior to making your final choice, use the following questions to see how your selection measures up to the other schools.
- Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the certificate program in addition to the school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Aside from helping confirm that you obtain a quality education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not provided for non-accredited schools near Ravenel SC.
- Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for LPNs are different from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) along with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specified number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only provides a top-notch education, but also preps you to meet the minimum licensing standards for South Carolina or the state where you will be working.
- Reputation. Check online rating services to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews too. Additionally, check with the South Carolina school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some local Ravenel SC healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their assessments are of the schools as well.
- Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the LPN programs you are considering what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to finish their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were dissatisfied with the program and dropped out. It’s also imperative that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only confirm that the school has a good reputation within the Ravenel SC healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to help students attain employment.
- Internship Programs. The best way to obtain experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing as well. Check if the schools have associations with nearby Ravenel SC community hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placing of students in internships.
Considering LPN School in Ravenel South Carolina?
Ravenel, South Carolina
Ravenel is located in western Charleston County at 32°46′41″N 80°13′16″W / 32.77806°N 80.22111°W / 32.77806; -80.22111 (32.777930, -80.221112).[4] It is bordered to the south by the town of Hollywood. U.S. Route 17 passes through the town, leading 20 miles (32 km) east to Charleston and 13 miles (21 km) west to Jacksonboro.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,214 people, 799 households, and 581 families residing in the town. The population density was 179.5 people per square mile (69.3/km²). There were 863 housing units at an average density of 70.0 per square mile (27.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 47.88% White, 49.95% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 1.13% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.66% of the population.
There were 799 households out of which 36.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 19.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town, the population was spread out with 30.4% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
Enroll in the Right LPN Program near Ravenel SC
Enrolling in the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is arguably the most critical step to starting a new career in the healthcare industry. There are numerous aspects that you must take into account when deciding on a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently contingent on your current career objectives, lifestyle, and financial status. As we have pointed out within this content, it is critical that you select an RN school and a degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the health care community. By using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a shortlist of schools to choose from so that you can make your final selection. And with the appropriate degree and training, combined with your hard work and drive to succeed, you can become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Ravenel SC.
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