Have you always dreamed of a career in nursing? Do you want a job that allows you to help people every day when you go to work? If so, a career as a licensed practical nurse may be a great choice for you!
Practical nurses are valued members of the healthcare team. They help patients by working with doctors and registered nurses to provide medical care. A career in practical nursing has many benefits, including the ability to start your nursing career faster, job security, and meaningful work.
You may be wondering how you can start a career in practical nursing. Well, we are here to help you every step of the way. Read on to find out exactly how to become a practical nurse!
Enroll in a Practical Nursing Program
For students who want to become practical nurses, the Pennsylvania licensure requirements state that they must complete an approved practical nursing program that is at least 1,500 hours and one year in length. The practical nursing program must be approved by the State Board of Nursing.
If you want to start your practical nursing career quickly, it’s best to choose an accelerated practical nursing program that is direct admission, meaning you won’t waste precious time and money taking classes you don’t need. In a direct admission program, you start your nursing classes immediately.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses perform a variety of job tasks, including monitoring a patient’s health, administering basic patient care, and keeping records of a patient’s health.
While enrolled in an accelerated practical nursing program, you will learn essential hands-on skills that LPNs perform on the job. At United, students receive personalized instruction from supportive and caring teachers. Some of the skills that students learn in our Practical Nursing program include conducting physical assessments, caring for wounds, and performing routine lab tests.
In addition to hands-on training in classrooms and labs, United’s Practical Nursing students get to put their skills to use in a real-world clinical setting. This valuable clinical experience helps prepare students to succeed on the job when they start their careers.
Prepare for the NCLEX-PN* Exam
The practical nursing training program you choose should also include preparation for the NCLEX-PN exam. In Pennsylvania, the NCLEX-PN exam must be passed in order to become a licensed practical nurse.
You may want to test your practical nursing knowledge before you take the licensing exam. To do this, you can take a practice exam for the NCLEX-PN. The practice exam helps to prepare candidates for the real exam by exposing them to a similar type of test.
When you’re ready to take the NCLEX-PN exam, apply for licensure in your state and schedule a time for you to take the exam. Remember to practice good study habits when preparing for your exam. Scheduling your study sessions, reducing test anxiety, and getting a good night’s sleep can make a big difference for you on exam day. Check out our top 20 test-taking tips to help you do your best!
Start Your Practical Nursing Career
After you’ve completed a practical nursing program and passed the NCLEX-PN exam, you are ready to start your career as a licensed practical nurse.
The BLS states that the largest employers of licensed practical nurses are nursing and residential care facilities, hospitals, physician’s offices, and home healthcare services. These types of healthcare facilities and services may be a great place to start as you look for open LPN positions and apply for jobs.
You can also look on the websites of any companies you may be interested in working for and on career sites like Indeed to find available practical nursing opportunities. Be sure to update your resume, get references and recommendations, and practice your interview skills for your job search.
If you’re ready to become a licensed practical nurse, United Career Institute is here to help you every step of the way. From the moment you first reach out to us, our dedicated admissions team, supportive staff, and caring instructors will be by your side.
Learn more about our accelerated Practical Nursing program and request information today!
*Passing the NCLEX – PN exam is required to become a Practical Nurse.