Find Top LPN Programs near Alexandria TN 37012

How to Find the Right LPN Program near Alexandria Tennessee

Alexandria TN LPN assisting patient Now that you have decided on a rewarding vocation in the field of nursing, it’s essential that you find a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) school near Alexandria TN that will furnish the right training. If you reside in Texas or California, then you will be looking for a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) school instead. There is no distinction, other than the names, between an LPN and an LVN. They both perform the same job functions and work in health care facilities under the guidance of Registered Nurses (RN) or Doctors. However their duties do fluctuate depending on the state they practice in, which we will cover in the next section. When initiating their search for LPN schools, many prospective nursing students start with the ones that are the nearest to their houses or that are the least costly. While tuition and location are significant considerations, they are not the only criteria that you should base your decision on. Other concerns, such as if the schools are accredited or have high pass rates on the licensing exam are very important also. There are additional questions that you should ask potential schools before enrolling in an LPN program that we will discuss later in this article. But to start with, let’s have a look at the job of an LPN and what is involved in the training and licensing process.

What is an LPN in Alexandria TN?

LPN with Senior at Alexandria TN Nursing Home Licensed Practical Nurses have many tasks that they perform in the Alexandria TN health care facilities where they practice. As their titles imply, they are required to be licensed in all states, including Tennessee. Although they may be accountable for supervising Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves usually work under the guidance of either an RN or a doctor. The medical facilities where they work are numerous and assorted, for example hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anyplace that you can find patients in need of medical care is their dominion. Every state not only controls their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their day-to-day job functions may include:

Checking vital signs
Administering medicines
Initiating IV drips
Monitoring patients
Collecting blood or urine samples
Maintaining patient records
Supporting doctors or Registered nurses with procedures

Along with their occupational duties being regulated by each state, the healthcare facilities or other Alexandria TN healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job duties within those parameters. Additionally, they can practice in different specialties of nursing, such as long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.

LPN Programs in Tennessee

There are principally two scholastic accreditations available that provide training to become an LPN. The one that can be finished in the shortest period of time, normally about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma course. The other alternative is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and usually require 2 years to complete. The advantage of Associate Degrees, besides supplying a higher credential and more comprehensive training, are that they provide more transferrable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type of credential you seek, it should be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or any other national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the course of study 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 School Online in Alexandria TN Enrolling in LPN schools online is becoming a more popular way to receive instruction and attain a nursing certificate or degree in Alexandria TN. Some schools will require attendance on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs call for a specific amount of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare center. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more accommodating approach to finding the time to attend classes for many students. Concerning tuition, some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even supplemental expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be minimized, helping to make education more easily affordable. And numerous online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. And so if your work and household obligations have left you with limited time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN program will make it more convenient to fit a degree into your active schedule.

What 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 utilize the following checklist to start narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly are aware, there are many nursing schools and colleges near Alexandria TN as well as within Tennessee and throughout the United States. So it is essential to reduce the number of schools to select from in order that you will have a manageable list. As we previously discussed, the location of the school as well as the expense of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the first two factors that you will take into consideration. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So before making your ultimate decision, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick measures up to the other programs.

Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the certificate program along with the school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Aside from helping make sure that you get a premium education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools near Alexandria TN.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for LPNs differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Many states require a specific number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are enrolled in not only provides a top-notch education, but also prepares you to comply with the minimum licensing standards for Tennessee or the state where you will be working.
Reputation. Look at online rating companies to see what the reviews are for all of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. In addition, check with the Tennessee school licensing authority to determine if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some local Alexandria TN healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their judgements are of the schools as well.
Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the LPN schools 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 displeased with the program and dropped out. It’s also important that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only confirm that the school has a favorable reputation within the Alexandria TN healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to help students obtain employment.
Internship Programs. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a specified number of clinical hours be completed. Many states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing also. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with nearby Alexandria TN community hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.

Considering LPN School in Alexandria Tennessee?

Alexandria, Tennessee

Alexandria is located in the northwest corner of DeKalb County, bordered to the north by Smith County and at its western tip by Wilson County. U.S. Route 70 (Nashville Highway) passes through the southwest side of the town, leading northwest 18 miles (29 km) to Lebanon and southeast 17 miles (27 km) to Smithville, the DeKalb County seat. Tennessee State Route 53 passes just east of the town, leading north 7 miles (11 km) to Interstate 40 at New Middleton.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all of it land.[7] Hickman Creek flows to the northeast through the town; it is a tributary of the Caney Fork River, part of the Cumberland River watershed.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 814 people, 349 households, and 226 families residing in the town. The population density was 901.3 people per square mile (349.2/km²). There were 383 housing units at an average density of 424.1 per square mile (164.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 90.17% White, 7.74% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.

There were 349 households out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.97.

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Enroll in the Right LPN School near Alexandria TN

Selecting the right Licensed Practical Nurse program is probably the most critical phase to beginning a new career in the health care field. There are a number of variables that you should think about when choosing a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career goals, obligations, and financial situation. As we have pointed out within this content, it is important that you choose an RN college and a degree program that are both accredited and have excellent reputations within the healthcare community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a shortlist of schools to choose from so that you can make your ultimate 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 Alexandria TN.