LPN Courses Online Caldwell KS

How to Choose the Right LPN Program near Caldwell Kansas

Caldwell KS LPN pediatric nurse holding infant There are generally two academic credentials available that provide training to become an LPN near Caldwell KS. The one that may be completed in the shortest amount of time, commonly about one year, is the certificate or diploma program. The 2nd alternative is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are broader in nature than the diploma alternative and generally require 2 years to finish. The advantage of Associate Degrees, aside from providing a higher credential and more in-depth training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type of credential you seek, it needs to 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 syllabus properly prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

What is an LPN?

Caldwell KS Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurses have many tasks that they perform in the Caldwell KS health care facilities where they are employed. As their titles imply, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Kansas. While they may be responsible for monitoring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves normally work under the oversight of either an RN or a doctor. The medical facilities where they work are numerous and assorted, for instance hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anyplace that you can find patients seeking medical care is their dominion. Each state not only oversees their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So depending on the state, their everyday work activities may include:

Measuring vital signs
Giving medicines
Initiating IV drips
Observing patients
Getting blood or urine samples
Taking care of patient records
Assisting doctors or Registered nurses with procedures

Along with their work duties being mandated by each state, the health care facilities or other Caldwell KS healthcare providers where LPNs work can additionally limit their job roles within those parameters. In addition, they can work in different specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.

LPN Programs Online

female student attending LPN school online in Caldwell KS Attending LPN schools online is growing into a more favored way to receive instruction and attain a nursing certificate or degree in Caldwell KS. Certain schools will require attendance on campus for a component of the training, and almost all programs call for a specified amount of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare facility. But since the remainder of the training can be accessed online, this option may be a more accommodating answer to finding the free time to attend college for many students. Concerning tuition, some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more affordable. And many online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. So if your work and household commitments have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, it could be that an online LPN school will make it more convenient to fit a degree into your busy schedule.

LPN Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) was $45,030 in May 2017. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,970, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,030. Most licensed practical nurses near Caldwell KS work full time, although about 1 in 5 worked part time in 2016. Many work nights, weekends, and holidays, because medical care takes place at all hours. They may be required to work shifts of longer than 8 hours. Employment of LPNs is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026. Job prospects should be favorable for LPNs who are willing to work in rural and medically under served areas.

What to Ask LPN Schools

Questions to ask Caldwell KS LPN programs Now that you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, as well as if you will attend classes on campus or on the web, 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 Caldwell KS as well as within Kansas 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 manageable list. As we earlier discussed, the site of the school and the expense of tuition are probably going to be the primary two factors that you will look at. But as we also stressed, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your final decision, use the following questions to see how your selection measures up to the field.

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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Besides helping verify that you receive a premium education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not offered for non-accredited schools near Caldwell KS.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for LPNs are different from state to state. In all states, a passing score is required on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) in addition to graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s imperative that the school you are attending not only provides an excellent education, but also prepares you to comply with the minimum licensing standards for Kansas or the state where you will be working.
Reputation. Look at internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. In addition, check with the Kansas school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some nearby Caldwell KS 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 dissatisfied 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 Caldwell KS healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to assist students attain a position.
Internship Programs. The best way to get experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Many states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing as well. Ask if the schools have associations with nearby Caldwell KS community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placement of students in internships.

Enrolling in an LPN Program near Caldwell KS?

If you are considering enrolling in and attending an LPN school near Caldwell KS, you may find the following information both interesting and useful when making your final decision.

Caldwell, Kansas

Caldwell was founded in 1871. It is named for Senator Alexander Caldwell.[7] Caldwell was incorporated as a city in 1879.[8] The first post office in Caldwell was established in May 1871.[9] The Chisholm Trail ran along the east side of the community from 1867 to 1871.[10]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north-south from Herington to Caldwell.[11] This branch line connected Herington, Lost Springs, Lincolnville, Antelope, Marion, Aulne, Peabody, Elbing, Whitewater, Furley, Kechi, Wichita, Peck, Corbin, Wellington, Caldwell. This branch line was extended to Pond Creek, Oklahoma in 1888,[11] and connected Caldwell, Renfrow, Medford, Jefferson (the original Pond Creek). By 1893, it was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. This railroad foreclosed in 1891 and was taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut down in 1980 and reorganized as Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merged in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island."

In 1985 the Caldwell 6th grade class under the direction of their teacher Larry Miller started a successful campaign to have the ornate box turtle named the state reptile of Kansas. They gained support from around the country and on April 14, 1986 the governor of Kansas came to their school and signed the official bill adding a new official symbol to the state of Kansas.

Select the Right LPN School near Caldwell KS

Caldwell KS LPN geriatric nurse with patient Picking the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is potentially the most crucial first step to launching a new career in the medical care field. There are many variables that you should think about when selecting a nursing school. These factors will be prioritized differently depending on your current career objectives, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have highlighted in this post, it is essential that you pick an LPN school and a certificate or degree program that are each accredited and have excellent reputations within the medical community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in LPN Courses Online. However, by using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to choose from so that you can make your final selection. And with the proper degree and training, combined with your dedication and drive to succeed, you can become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Caldwell KS.