CNA to LVN Programs Hidalgo TX - LPN and LVN Schools Near You

How to Enroll In the Right LPN Training near Hidalgo Texas

Hidalgo TX LPN pediatric nurse holding infant There are generally two scholastic credentials available that provide instruction to become an LPN near Hidalgo TX. The one that may be finished in the shortest amount of time, usually about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma program. The next option is to attain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma option and usually require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, in addition to supplying a higher credential and more comprehensive training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. Regardless of the type of credential you pursue, it needs to be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC attests that the syllabus properly prepares students to become Practical Nurses, and that most graduates pass the 50 state required NCLEX-PN licensing exam.

What is an LPN?

Hidalgo TX Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurses have a number of functions that they carry out in the Hidalgo TX health care facilities where they work. As their titles imply, they are required to be licensed in all states, including Texas. Although they may be responsible for managing Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves typically work under the oversight of either an RN or a doctor. The medical care facilities where they work are numerous and assorted, such as hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anyplace that you can find patients requiring medical treatment is their dominion. Each state not only controls their licensing, but also what duties an LPN can and can’t perform. So depending on the state, their daily job functions can include:

Checking vital signs
Giving medicines
Initiating IV drips
Observing patients
Collecting blood or urine samples
Managing patient records
Supporting doctors or RNs with procedures

In addition to their job duties being mandated by each state, the healthcare facilities or other Hidalgo TX healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job roles within those parameters. Also, they can work in different specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.

LPN Programs Online

female student attending LPN school online in Hidalgo TX Attending LPN programs online is growing into a more in demand way to get instruction and attain a nursing certificate or degree in Hidalgo TX. Many schools will require attendance on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs require a specific amount of clinical rotation hours completed in a local healthcare center. But since the balance of the training may be accessed online, this alternative may be a more accommodating approach to finding the free time to attend college for some students. Regarding tuition, some online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be minimized, helping to make education more easily affordable. And numerous online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. So if your job and family responsibilities have left you with very little time to pursue your academic goals, it could be that 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 Hidalgo TX 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.

Questions to Ask LPN Programs

Questions to ask Hidalgo TX LPN programs Once 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 pointers to start narrowing down your options. As you no doubt are aware, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges near Hidalgo TX as well as within Texas and throughout the United States. So it is important to lower the number of schools to choose from so that you will have a workable list. As we earlier mentioned, the location of the school and the cost of tuition are probably 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 see how your pick measures up to the field.

Accreditation. 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 organization. Besides helping verify that you obtain a premium education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools near Hidalgo TX.
Licensing Preparation. Licensing prerequisites for LPNs are different from state to state. In all states, a passing score is required on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Certain states require a specific number of clinical hours be performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s imperative that the school you are enrolled in not only provides a top-notch education, but also readies you to meet the minimum licensing standards for Texas or the state where you will be practicing.
Reputation. Look at online rating companies to see what the evaluations are for all of the LPN schools you are looking into. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews too. Additionally, check with the Texas school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can call some local Hidalgo TX 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 programs you are looking at 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 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 Hidalgo TX medical community, but that it also has the network of relationships to assist students gain employment.
Internship Programs. The best way to obtain experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Virtually all nursing degree programs require a specified number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour requirements for licensing also. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with nearby Hidalgo TX community hospitals, clinics or labs and assist with the placing of students in internships.

Enrolling in an LPN Program near Hidalgo TX?

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

Hidalgo, Texas

The area that is now Hidalgo was first settled by Spanish colonists led by José de Escandón in about 1749. The colony was known by multiple names: La Habitación, Rancho San Luís, and San Luisito. In 1852, John Young settled in the area and renamed the town "Edinburgh" after his place of birth, Edinburgh, Scotland; Edinburgh became the county seat of Hidalgo County. The town was incorporated in 1876, and its name was changed to "Hidalgo" in 1885.

Hidalgo is located in southern Hidalgo County at 26°6′16″N 98°14′47″W / 26.10444°N 98.24639°W / 26.10444; -98.24639 (26.104473, -98.246443).[5] It is located across the Rio Grande (Rio Bravo del Norte) from the Mexican city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas.

One of the southern termini of U.S. Route 281 is at the border crossing in Hidalgo. The highway leads east then north 12 miles (19 km) to Pharr, or southeast 54 miles (87 km) to Brownsville. Texas State Highway 115 runs north from Hidalgo 8 miles (13 km) to McAllen, the largest city in Hidalgo County.

Pick the Right LPN Program near Hidalgo TX

Hidalgo TX LPN geriatric nurse with patient Picking the right Licensed Practical Nurse school is probably the most important phase to launching a new career in the healthcare industry. There are a number of factors that you need to take into account when picking a nursing school. These factors will be prioritized differently depending on your existing career objectives, obligations, and financial status. As we have stressed in this article, it is important that you choose an LPN college 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 CNA to LVN Programs. However, by using our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist 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 drive to succeed, you can become an LPN in Hidalgo TX.