How to Choose an LPN Program near Hermitage Tennessee
Now that you have decided on a fulfilling career in the field of nursing, it’s important that you select a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) school near Hermitage 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, except for the names, between an LPN and an LVN. They both undertake the same job functions and work in medical 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 cover in the following segment. When beginning their search for LPN schools, many potential nursing students start with the ones that are the closest to their houses or that are the least costly. While price and location are important considerations, they are not the only qualifications that you should base your decision on. Other variables, such as if the schools are accredited or have high pass rates on the licensing exam are very important too. There are various other questions that you should ask prospective schools before enrolling in an LPN program that we will cover later in this article. But first, let’s look at the function of an LPN and what is involved in the instruction and licensing process.
What is an LPN in Hermitage TN?
Licensed Practical Nurses have a number of functions that they accomplish in the Hermitage TN healthcare facilities where they practice. As their titles indicate, they are required to be licensed in all states, including Tennessee. Although they may be responsible for overseeing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves typically work under the guidance of either an RN or a doctor. The healthcare facilities where they work are numerous and varied, including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anyplace that you can find patients requiring medical assistance is their domain. Every state not only regulates their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their daily work activities might include:
- Measuring vital signs
- Providing medicines
- Initiating IV drips
- Overseeing patients
- Taking blood or urine samples
- Managing patient records
- Helping doctors or RNs with procedures
In addition to their work duties being regulated by each state, the health facilities or other Hermitage TN healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job duties within those parameters. Additionally, they can practice in various specialties of nursing, for example long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.
LPN Programs in Tennessee
There are basically two scholastic credentials available that provide training to become an LPN. The one that can be completed in the shortest time period, generally about one year, is the certificate or diploma course. The other option is to obtain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These programs are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma option and usually require 2 years to finish. The advantage of Associate Degrees, along with providing 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 pursue, it should be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC guarantees that the syllabus effectively 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 programs online is growing into a more favored way to get instruction and earn a nursing certificate or degree in Hermitage TN. Many schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and nearly all programs require a specific number of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local healthcare center. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this option may be a more practical solution to finding the free time to attend college for some students. Regarding tuition, a number of online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even other expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more easily 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 limited time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN school will make it more convenient to fit a degree into your hectic schedule.
Things to Ask LPN Programs
Once 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 pointers to start narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly realize, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges near Hermitage TN as well as within Tennessee and throughout the United States. So it is important to lower the number of schools to select from to ensure that you will have a workable list. As we earlier pointed out, the location of the school and the cost of tuition are most likely going to be the first two things that you will consider. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your final selection, use the following questions to evaluate how your selection 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 organization. Aside from helping make sure that you receive a premium education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available for non-accredited schools near Hermitage TN.
- Licensing Preparation. Licensing criteria for LPNs differ 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. Many states require a certain number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are enrolled in not only provides an excellent education, but also readies you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for Tennessee or the state where you will be working.
- Reputation. Look at online rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews too. Also, check with the Tennessee school licensing authority to determine if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some local Hermitage TN 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 schools you are looking at 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 essential that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only substantiate that the school has a good reputation within the Hermitage TN healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to help students obtain a position.
- Internship Programs. The most effective way to obtain experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a certain number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing as well. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with nearby Hermitage TN community hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placement of students in internships.
Considering LPN School in Hermitage Tennessee?
Hermitage, Tennessee
Hermitage, Tennessee is a neighborhood of Metropolitan Nashville, Tennessee located in eastern Davidson County, adjacent to, and named in honor of, The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson, seventh President of the United States. Though the area is incorporated as part of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, it maintains its own identity as a residential and commercial suburban area.
Hermitage is located immediately to the east of Donelson, a Nashville borough which is named in honor of Andrew Jackson's father-in-law John Donelson, and just to the west of Mount Juliet in adjacent Wilson County.[1] A rural area only 30 years ago,[when?] Hermitage is now a thriving district with a highly developed network of retail stores and typical suburban tract houses ranging from the "starter home" to the "executive residence". The technology headquarters of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, one of the Big Four auditors, is located in Hermitage, sprawling over 200,000 square feet (19,000 m2) and employing over 1,000 people.[2] Hermitage is a small example of urban sprawl. An array of apartments exists as well. Major thoroughfares include U.S. Route 70, Interstate 40, and State Route 45. The neighborhood also has a station on the new Music City Star commuter rail service and is also home to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, the organization which administers junior and senior high school sporting events.
Hermitage is divided from Donelson by the Stones River and its bottom lands, Clover Bottom. It has benefited greatly from the impoundment of the Stones by J. Percy Priest Dam, a nearby United States Army Corps of Engineers project, which provides a great deal of recreation opportunities, particularly in the summer months, and which has contributed greatly to the desirability and value of the area's real estate. Hermitage and Donelson are often thought of as something of a unit, and even have a joint Chamber of Commerce and Christmas parade.
Enroll in the Right LPN School near Hermitage TN
Picking the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is arguably the most critical phase to beginning a new career in the medical care field. There are numerous aspects that you need to think about when picking a nursing school. These factors will be prioritized differently contingent on your current career goals, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have highlighted in this post, it is critical that you choose an RN school and a degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the medical community. By utilizing our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to select from so that you can make your final selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your hard work and desire to succeed, you can become an LPN in Hermitage TN.
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