Licensed Practical Nurse Training Andover NJ

How to Choose the Right LPN Program near Andover New Jersey

Andover NJ LPN pediatric nurse holding infant There are principally two scholastic credentials offered that provide training to become an LPN near Andover NJ. The one that can be completed in the shortest amount of time, typically about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma course. The other alternative is to earn a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and usually require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, besides providing a higher credential and more extensive instruction, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the kind of credential you seek, it needs to be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC warrants that the course of study adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

What is an LPN?

Andover NJ Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurses have many different functions that they perform in the Andover NJ healthcare facilities where they practice. As their titles signify, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including New Jersey. Even though they may be responsible for overseeing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves typically work under the supervision of either an RN or a doctor. The healthcare facilities where they work are numerous and diverse, for instance hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anyplace that you can encounter patients requiring medical treatment is their domain. Each state not only regulates their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their everyday job functions might include:

Measuring vital signs
Giving medicines
Initiating IV drips
Monitoring patients
Collecting blood or urine samples
Maintaining patient records
Supporting doctors or RNs with procedures

Along with their work functions being regulated by each state, the health facilities or other Andover NJ healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job roles within those parameters. Also, they can practice in different specialties of nursing, for example long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.

LPN Programs Online

female student attending LPN school online in Andover NJ Attending LPN programs online is emerging as a more in demand way to get instruction and earn a nursing certificate or degree in Andover NJ. Some schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs call for a certain number of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training can be accessed online, this method may be a more convenient answer to finding the free time to attend school for many students. Regarding tuition, some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be reduced, helping to make education more affordable. And a large number of online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. Therefore if your job and household commitments have left you with little time to work toward your academic goals, it could be that an online LPN program will make it easier to fit a degree into your active 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 Andover NJ 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.

Things to Ask LPN Schools

Questions to ask Andover NJ LPN programs Once 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 guidelines to start narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly realize, there are a large number of nursing schools and colleges near Andover NJ as well as within New Jersey and throughout the United States. So it is necessary to reduce the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a manageable list. As we previously discussed, the site of the school and the price of tuition are undoubtedly going to be the first two things that you will take into consideration. But as we also emphasized, they should not be your only qualifiers. So before making your final selection, use the following questions to see how your pick measures up to the field.

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. In addition to helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may assist in acquiring financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not offered for non-accredited schools near Andover NJ.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing requirements for LPNs are different 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 specified 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 delivers a top-notch education, but also prepares you to meet the minimum licensing standards for New Jersey or the state where you will be practicing.
Reputation. Visit internet rating companies to see what the reviews are for all of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Also, check with the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can contact some local Andover NJ 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 finish 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 confirm that the school has a favorable reputation within the Andover NJ 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 environment. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing too. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with local Andover NJ community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.

Enrolling in an LPN Program near Andover NJ?

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

Andover, New Jersey

Andover is a borough in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 606,[8][9][10] reflecting a decline of 52 (-7.9%) from the 658 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 42 (-6.0%) from the 700 counted in the 1990 Census.[19]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough had a total area of 1.471 square miles (3.810 km2), including 1.452 square miles (3.761 km2) of land and 0.019 square miles (0.048 km2) of water (1.27%).[1][2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 606 people, 241 households, and 163.9 families residing in the borough. The population density was 417.3 per square mile (161.1/km2). There were 263 housing units at an average density of 181.1 per square mile (69.9/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 91.75% (556) White, 1.16% (7) Black or African American, 0.33% (2) Native American, 2.15% (13) Asian, 0.00% (0) Pacific Islander, 2.64% (16) from other races, and 1.98% (12) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.59% (46) of the population.[8]

Choose the Right LPN Program near Andover NJ

Andover NJ LPN geriatric nurse with patient Picking the ideal Licensed Practical Nurse school is perhaps the most crucial first step to launching a new career in the medical care field. There are various variables that you should consider when choosing a nursing school. These factors will be prioritized differently depending on your current career goals, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have emphasized within this post, it is critical that you choose an LPN school and a certificate or degree program that are each accredited and have exceptional reputations within the health care community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in Licensed Practical Nurse Training. However, by using our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a short list of schools to choose from so that you can make your final selection. And with the right degree and training, combined with your hard work and ambition to succeed, you can become an LPN in Andover NJ.