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There are basically two scholastic credentials available that provide instruction to become an LPN near Helena AL<\/strong>. The one that may be concluded in the shortest period of time, generally about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma program. The other option is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma alternative and normally require 2 years to finish. The advantage of Associate Degrees, besides supplying 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 kind of credential you seek, it should be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or any other 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
![\"Helena](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Licensed-Practical-Nurse-LPN.jpg\" "\\"Helena")
Licensed Practical Nurses have many functions that they complete in the Helena AL medical facilities where they work. As their titles imply, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Alabama. Even though they may be responsible for monitoring 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 assorted, including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anywhere that you can find patients seeking medical assistance is their dominion. Every state not only oversees their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their everyday job functions may include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Measuring vital signs<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Giving medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Starting IV drips<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Monitoring patients<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Taking blood or urine samples<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Managing patient records<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Assisting physicians or Registered nurses with procedures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Along with their occupational functions being mandated by each state, the healthcare facilities or other Helena AL healthcare providers where LPNs work can additionally limit their job duties within those parameters. Additionally, they can work in numerous specialties of nursing, for example long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.<\/p>\n
Online LPN Programs<\/h3>\n
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Attending LPN programs online is growing into a more popular way to obtain instruction and acquire a nursing certificate or degree in Helena AL. Many schools will require attending on campus for a component of the training, and virtually all programs call for a certain number of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare facility. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this method may be a more convenient solution to finding the free time to attend school for many students. Regarding tuition, a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus options. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be reduced, helping to make education more easily affordable. And many online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. Therefore if your work and household responsibilities have left you with little time to work toward your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN school will make it easier to fit a degree into your hectic 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 Helena AL 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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Now that you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, and if you will attend classes on campus or on the internet, you can use the following guidelines to begin narrowing down your choices. As you undoubtedly are aware, there are many nursing schools and colleges near Helena AL as well as within Alabama and throughout the United States. So it is essential to lower the number of schools to choose from to ensure that you will have a workable list. As we previously discussed, the site of the school and the expense of tuition are most likely going to be the initial two points that you will take into consideration. But as we also stressed, they should not be your only qualifiers. So prior to making your ultimate decision, use the following questions to see how your pick compares to the other programs.<\/p>\n- \n
- Accreditation. <\/strong>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 recognized accrediting agency. Aside from helping verify that you receive a premium education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available for non-accredited schools near Helena AL.<\/li>\n
- Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing prerequisites 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. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, 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 readies you to meet the minimum licensing standards for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Reputation. <\/strong>Look at online rating services to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews too. In addition, check with the Alabama school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some nearby Helena AL 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 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 important that the schools have high job placement rates. A high rate will not only substantiate that the school has a favorable reputation within the Helena AL medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students attain employment.<\/li>\n
- Internship Programs<\/strong>. The most ideal way to acquire experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Almost all nursing degree programs require a certain number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing too. Ask if the schools have associations with local Helena AL community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Enrolling in an LPN Program near Helena AL?<\/h3>\n
If you are considering enrolling in and attending an LPN school near Helena AL, you may find the following information both interesting and useful when making your final decision.<\/p>\n
Helena, Alabama<\/h3>
Helena (pronunciation hel-LE-nah) is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in the state of Alabama. Helena is considered a suburb of Birmingham and part of the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,793. Helena is highly regarded as a place to live and raise children; Business Week named Helena the 13th \"Best Place to Raise Your Kids\" in 2007.[4] It has the eighth-lowest crime rate per population in the U.S., and the city was ranked in Money magazine's 2007 list of \"Best Places to Live: Top 100\" in the U.S., placing at number 91.[5] The Alabama League of Municipalities awarded Helena the 2008 Municipal Achievement Award (population 10,001 to 20,000).[6]<\/p>
Helena initially incorporated in 1877, but reincorporated in 1917 after errors were discovered in the initial incorporation papers.[7] It did not first appear on the U.S. Census until 1920, giving credence to the later date of incorporation.\n<\/p>
The initial settlers to Helena, initially named Cove, were veterans of the final campaigns of the War of 1812. Members of Andrew Jackson's army who cut through the brush were attracted to the quiet, peaceful valleys and streams after the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. These first settlers were reported to arrive in 1849 and were predated by the Creek Indian tribes who these settlers had battled. By 1856, the Cove post office opened. Shortly thereafter, the settlers changed the name of the town to Hillsboro.\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Select the Right LPN Program near Helena AL<\/h3>\n
![\"Helena](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/LPN-geriatric-nurse-with-patient.jpg\" "\\"Helena")
Selecting the ideal Licensed Practical Nurse school is potentially the most important first step to starting a new career in the health care industry. There are numerous variables that you need to take into account when picking a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently contingent on your existing career objectives, lifestyle, and financial status. As we have pointed out within this post, it is important that you select an LPN school<\/a> and a certificate or degree program that are each accredited and have exceptional reputations within the healthcare community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in Practical Nursing Certificate<\/a>. However, by using our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to select from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate degree and training, combined with your dedication and ambition to succeed, you can become an LPN in Helena AL.<\/strong><\/p>\nMore Practical Locations in Alabama<\/h4>\n
- LPN Night Classes Greensboro AL<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Online School Lillian AL<\/a><\/li>
- Schools That Offer LPN Programs Morris AL<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Course Requirements Daphne AL<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Schools Online Pinson AL<\/a><\/li>
- How Long to Become an LPN Jackson AL<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Course Loachapoka AL<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Online Classes Chelsea AL<\/a><\/li>
- How Long To Become an LPN Hayden AL<\/a><\/li>
- Licensed Practical Nurse Programs Daleville AL<\/a><\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n - Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing prerequisites 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. Some states require a specific number of clinical hours be completed, 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 readies you to meet the minimum licensing standards for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Giving medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n