How to Choose an LPN School near Helenwood Tennessee
Once you have chosen a rewarding vocation in the field of nursing, it’s imperative that you choose a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program near Helenwood TN that will provide the right instruction. If you live in Texas or California, then you will be looking for a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) school instead. There is no difference, other than the names, between an LPN and an LVN. They both undertake the same job functions and work in healthcare facilities under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RN) or Doctors. However their functions do vary depending on the state they practice in, which we will address in the next section. When beginning their search for LPN schools, many future nursing students start with those that are the nearest to their residences or that are the least costly. While tuition and location are relevant factors, they are not the only criteria that you should base your decision on. Other factors, for example if the schools are accredited or have high pass rates on the licensing exam are extremely important too. There are various other questions that you should ask potential schools before enrolling in an LPN program that we will talk about later in this article. But to start with, let’s take a look at the job of an LPN and what is involved in the education and licensing process.
What is an LPN in Helenwood TN?
Licensed Practical Nurses have a number of tasks that they carry out in the Helenwood TN healthcare facilities where they are employed. As their titles signify, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Tennessee. While they may be accountable for monitoring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves generally work under the direction of either an RN or a doctor. The healthcare facilities where they work are numerous and assorted, for instance hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Virtually any place that you can encounter patients seeking medical treatment is their dominion. Every state not only regulates their licensing, but also what functions an LPN can and can’t perform. So depending on the state, their daily work functions may include:
- Taking vital signs
- Providing medicines
- Starting IV drips
- Overseeing patients
- Taking blood or urine samples
- Taking care of patient records
- Helping doctors or Registered nurses with procedures
Along with their work responsibilities being regulated by each state, the health care facilities or other Helenwood TN healthcare providers where LPNs work can additionally limit their job roles within those parameters. In addition, they can practice in different specialties of nursing, for instance long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.
LPN Programs in Tennessee
There are basically two academic accreditations offered that provide education to become an LPN. The one that can be completed in the shortest period of time, typically about one year, is the certificate or diploma course. The next alternative is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and generally require 2 years to finish. The advantage of Associate Degrees, in addition to providing a higher credential and more comprehensive instruction, 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 another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the syllabus adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.
Online LPN Programs
Attending LPN schools online is emerging as a more in demand way to obtain instruction and earn a nursing certificate or degree in Helenwood TN. Certain schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs call for a specific amount of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare facility. But since the remainder of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more convenient solution to finding the time to attend classes for many students. Pertaining to tuition, many 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 affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. So if your work and family obligations have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, maybe an online LPN program will make it easier to fit a degree into your hectic schedule.
Things to Ask LPN Programs
Now that you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, and if you will attend classes on campus or on the web, you can utilize the following guidelines to begin narrowing down your options. As you probably are aware, there are many nursing schools and colleges near Helenwood TN as well as within Tennessee and throughout the United States. So it is necessary to decrease the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a manageable list. As we earlier pointed out, the site of the school as well as the price of tuition are most likely going to be the initial two points that you will look at. But as we also stressed, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate selection, use the following questions to see how your selection compares to the other programs.
- Accreditation. It’s a good idea to make sure that the certificate program as well as the school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Aside from helping confirm that you get a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools near Helenwood TN.
- Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for LPNs vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is required on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) as well as graduation from an accredited school. Certain states require a specific number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only provides an excellent education, but also preps you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for Tennessee or the state where you will be working.
- Reputation. Look at internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for all of the LPN schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Additionally, contact the Tennessee school licensing authority to determine if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some nearby Helenwood 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 programs you are considering what their graduation rates are as well as how long on average it takes students to complete their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were unhappy 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 Helenwood TN medical community, but that it also has the network of relationships to assist students obtain employment.
- Internship Programs. The most ideal way to get experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing also. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with local Helenwood TN community hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.
Considering LPN School in Helenwood Tennessee?
Helenwood, Tennessee
Helenwood is an unincorporated community in Scott County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 846 at the 2000 census, when Helenwood was treated as an incorporated municipality. For the 2010 census, it was a census-designated place (CDP) with a population of 865.
On April 5, 1935 a dynamite explosion caused extensive damage in Helenwood, destroying fifteen homes and damaging many other homes and businesses.[6][7] One news account said that Helenwood was "literally wiped off the map."[6] There were no fatalities.[7]
Helenwood was incorporated as a town by referendum in 1997, after the state statute that set minimum criteria for municipal incorporation was amended by the Tennessee General Assembly to remove the requirement that a newly incorporating area must not be within three miles of an existing city and to reduce the minimum population for incorporation from 1,500 residents to 225. The legislation that changed the statute had been introduced by Lieutenant Governor John S. Wilder in order to allow Hickory Withe to become a municipality. Helenwood's incorporation was rescinded by state courts after the amendments were declared unconstitutional.[8]
Helenwood is located at 36°25′24″N 84°32′29″W / 36.42333°N 84.54139°W / 36.42333; -84.54139 (36.423357, -84.541511).[1] It is situated along U.S. Route 27 north of Huntsville, in Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau region.
Choose the Right LPN Program near Helenwood TN
Deciding on the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is arguably the most critical phase to beginning a new career in the healthcare field. There are many factors that you need to take into account when deciding on a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career goals, lifestyle, and economic status. As we have stressed within this article, it is important that you choose an RN college and a degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the healthcare community. By utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Helenwood TN.
More Cities of Interest in Tennessee