Online LPN School Litchfield IL

How to Select the Right LPN Program near Litchfield Illinois

Litchfield IL LPN pediatric nurse holding infantThere are generally two scholastic credentials available that provide instruction to become an LPN near Litchfield IL. The one that can be completed in the shortest time frame, generally about 12 months, is the certificate or diploma program. The next alternative is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are broader in nature than the diploma option and commonly require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, besides providing a higher credential and more extensive training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type 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 warrants that the syllabus adequately prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

What is an LPN?

Litchfield IL Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Licensed Practical Nurses have a number of tasks that they perform in the Litchfield IL medical facilities where they work. As their titles imply, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Illinois. Although they may be responsible for overseeing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves usually work under the oversight 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 in need of medical attention is their domain. Each state not only controls their licensing, but also what work activities an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their daily work functions can include:

  • Measuring vital signs
  • Providing medicines
  • Setting up IV drips
  • Observing patients
  • Getting blood or urine samples
  • Keeping patient records
  • Supporting doctors or Registered nurses with procedures

In addition to their work duties being regulated by each state, the medical facilities or other Litchfield IL healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job duties within those parameters. Additionally, they can practice in numerous specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.

Online LPN Programs

female student attending LPN school online in Litchfield ILAttending LPN schools online is emerging as a more favored way to get training and acquire a nursing certificate or degree in Litchfield IL. Certain schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs require a certain number of clinical rotation hours carried out in a local healthcare facility. But since the remainder of the training can be accessed online, this method may be a more accommodating answer to finding the time to attend school for some students. Pertaining to tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus choices. Even supplemental expenses such as for commuting and study materials may be reduced, helping to make education more economical. And many online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. Therefore if your work and household obligations have left you with very little time to work toward your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN school will make it easier 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 Litchfield IL 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 Litchfield IL LPN programsOnce 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 checklist to begin narrowing down your options. As you undoubtedly realize, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges near Litchfield IL as well as within Illinois and throughout the United States. So it is important to decrease the number of schools to choose from in order that you will have a workable list. As we already mentioned, the location of the school and the price of tuition are most likely going to be the primary two points that you will consider. But as we also stressed, they should not be your sole qualifiers. So before making your final choice, use the following questions to evaluate how your pick compares 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 organization. In addition to helping ensure that you receive a quality education, it may help in securing financial aid or student loans, which are oftentimes not available for non-accredited schools near Litchfield IL.
  • Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for LPNs vary from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) as well as graduation from an accredited school. Many 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 enrolled in not only provides an excellent education, but also prepares you to meet the minimum licensing standards for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing.
  • Reputation. Look at internet rating companies to see what the evaluations are for each of the LPN schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. Additionally, contact the Illinois school licensing authority to determine if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some local Litchfield IL healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their opinions are of the schools as well.
  • Graduation and Job Placement Rates. Find out from the LPN schools you are considering 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 displeased 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 Litchfield IL healthcare community, but that it also has the network of contacts to help students gain employment.
  • Internship Programs. The best way to acquire experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical setting. Almost all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. A number of states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing too. Check if the schools have a working relationship with local Litchfield IL community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placement of students in internships.

Enrolling in an LPN Program near Litchfield IL?

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

Litchfield, Illinois

Litchfield is a city in Montgomery County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,939 at the 2010 census,[5] and 6,588 in 2009 and 7,012 in 2015. It is located in south central Illinois, south of Springfield and part of the Metro-East region of St. Louis.

Litchfield was developed in 1853 by Montgomery County, Illinois surveyors in preparation for the arrival of the Alton Terri Haute Railroad Company. In 1854, When news spread of the railroad bypassing nearby Hardinsburg, Illinois and going through Litchfield, close to 50 residents moved their residence on rollers across the prairie and settled them in Litchfield near the railroad. Only a small cemetery remains of Hardinsburg.

The town was named after Electus Backus Litchfield, a financier, who brought the railroad to Litchfield. The town was originally called Huntsville after it was thought that Railroad Chief Engineer George Hunt was going to be the one to bring in the railroad.

Select the Right LPN Program near Litchfield IL

Litchfield IL LPN geriatric nurse with patientEnrolling in the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is perhaps the most important step to beginning a new career in the medical care industry. There are numerous factors that you need to 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 stressed in this post, it is critical that you enroll in an LPN college and a certificate or degree program that are both accredited and have exceptional reputations within the healthcare community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in Online LPN School. However, by utilizing our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to develop a short list of schools to select 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 an LPN in Litchfield IL.

More Practical Locations in Illinois

  • Practical Nursing Program Online Murphysboro IL
  • Become A LPN in 6 Months Evansville IL
  • Classes for LPN Dekalb IL
  • Licensed Practical Nursing Program Cissna Park IL
  • LVN Education New Salem IL
  • Online Practical Nursing Program Vandalia IL
  • Online LPN Courses Hoffman IL
  • LVN College Crossville IL
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse Program Manhattan IL
  • LVN Online Programs Harvey IL
  •  

     

    The location could not be found.

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 0