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There are essentially two academic credentials offered that provide education to become an LPN near Big Stone Gap VA<\/strong>. The one that can be concluded in the shortest period of time, commonly about one year, is the certificate or diploma course. The second alternative is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and usually require 2 years to complete. The benefit of Associate Degrees, along with offering a higher credential and more comprehensive training, are that they furnish more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the kind 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 guarantees that the course of study effectively prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that the majority of graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.<\/p>\nWhat is an LPN?<\/h3>\n
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Licensed Practical Nurses have numerous duties that they accomplish in the Big Stone Gap VA health care facilities where they work. As their titles indicate, they are required to be licensed in all states, including Virginia. Even though 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 medical facilities where they work are numerous and varied, such as hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anywhere that you can encounter patients requiring medical attention is their dominion. Each state not only regulates their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their day-to-day work activities can include:<\/p>\n
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- Checking vital signs<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Providing medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Starting IV drips<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Observing patients<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Collecting blood or urine samples<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Maintaining patient records<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Helping doctors or Registered nurses with procedures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Along with their work duties being controlled by each state, the health care facilities or other Big Stone Gap VA healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job duties within those parameters. Also, they can practice in numerous specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.<\/p>\n
LPN Programs Online<\/h3>\n
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Enrolling in LPN schools online is becoming a more favored way to get instruction and acquire a nursing certificate or degree in Big Stone Gap VA. Some schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and virtually all programs call for a certain number of clinical rotation hours performed in a local healthcare center. But since the rest of the training can be accessed online, this method may be a more practical answer to finding the time to attend classes for many students. Concerning tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. 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. Therefore if your job and household responsibilities have left you with limited time to pursue your academic goals, maybe an online LPN training program will make it easier to fit a degree into your busy schedule.<\/p>\nLPN Salary<\/h3>\n
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 Big Stone Gap VA 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.<\/p>\n
Questions to Ask LPN Schools<\/h3>\n
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Once 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 guidelines to start narrowing down your options. As you no doubt realize, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges near Big Stone Gap VA as well as within Virginia and throughout the United States. So it is essential to reduce the number of schools to select from to ensure that you will have a manageable list. As we already discussed, the site of the school as well as the expense 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 sole qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate choice, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick compares to the field.<\/p>\n- \n
- Accreditation. <\/strong>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. Besides helping make sure that you get a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not provided for non-accredited schools near Big Stone Gap VA.<\/li>\n
- Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. 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) along with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are attending not only provides an outstanding education, but also prepares you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working.<\/li>\n
- Reputation. <\/strong>Look at internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews too. Additionally, contact the Virginia school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some local Big Stone Gap VA healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their judgements are of the schools as well.<\/li>\n
- Graduation and Job Placement Rates<\/strong>. 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 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 superb reputation within the Big Stone Gap VA healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to help students obtain employment.<\/li>\n
- Internship Programs<\/strong>. The best way to get experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specified number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing also. Ask if the schools have associations with local Big Stone Gap VA community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the positioning of students in internships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Enrolling in an LPN Program near Big Stone Gap VA?<\/h3>\n
If you are considering enrolling in and attending an LPN school near Big Stone Gap VA, you may find the following information both interesting and useful when making your final decision.<\/p>\n
Big Stone Gap, Virginia<\/h3>
The community was formerly known as \"Mineral City\" and \"Three Forks.\" The \"Big Stone Gap\" refers to the valley which has been created on the Appalachia Straight, located between Big Stone Gap and Appalachia. The town had hoped that its coal and iron ore deposits would make it \"the Pittsburgh of the South.\"[3]<\/p>
The Christ Episcopal Church, John Fox, Jr. House, Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park, Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin, June Tolliver House, and C. Bascom Slemp Federal Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5]<\/p>
Big Stone Gap is home to Wallens Ridge State Prison, a state prison that has been a part of the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Corrections since 1999. Originally opened as a supermax prison, it has recently been downgraded to a \"high level\" security facility. Construction and maintenance of the facility generated millions of dollars for the local economy, suppressed from a sagging history of coal mining.[6]<\/p><\/div>\n
Select the Right LPN Program near Big Stone Gap VA<\/h3>\n
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Choosing the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is probably the most crucial step to starting a new career in the health care industry. There are numerous variables that you must consider 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 pointed out in this article, it is important that you select an LPN college<\/a> and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have outstanding reputations within the healthcare community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in LPN Online Class<\/a>. However, 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 Big Stone Gap VA.<\/strong><\/p>\nMore Practical Locations in Virginia<\/h4>\n
- Vocational Nurse Programs Rocky Mount VA<\/a><\/li>
- LPN College Victoria VA<\/a><\/li>
- Accelerated LVN Programs Accomac VA<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Classes Ferrum VA<\/a><\/li>
- Prerequisites for LPN Program Claremont VA<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Fast Track Christiansburg VA<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Programs Online Grimstead VA<\/a><\/li>
- Become LPN Online Sweet Briar VA<\/a><\/li>
- Licensed Practical Nurse Education Mathews VA<\/a><\/li>
- Classes for LPN Walkerton VA<\/a><\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n - Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. 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) along with graduation from an accredited school. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s essential that the school you are attending not only provides an outstanding education, but also prepares you to comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working.<\/li>\n
- Providing medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n