![\"Girdwood](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/LPN-pediatric-nurse-holding-infant.jpg\" "\\"Girdwood")
There are basically two academic credentials available that provide training to become an LPN near Girdwood AK<\/strong>. The one that can be completed in the shortest time period, typically about 1 year, is the certificate or diploma course. The next choice is to obtain a Practical Nursing Associate Degree. These LPN programs are more comprehensive in nature than the diploma option and normally require 2 years to finish. The benefit of Associate Degrees, aside from providing a higher credential and more comprehensive training, are that they provide more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the kind of credential you seek, it needs to be state approved and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or another national accrediting organization. The NLNAC guarantees that the core curriculum properly 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
![\"Girdwood](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Licensed-Practical-Nurse-LPN.jpg\" "\\"Girdwood")
Licensed Practical Nurses have many different duties that they complete in the Girdwood AK healthcare facilities where they practice. As their titles signify, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Alaska. Even though they may be responsible for monitoring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves generally work under the direction of either an RN or a doctor. The medical care facilities where they work are numerous and assorted, for example hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Virtually any place that you can find patients requiring medical attention is their domain. Every state not only regulates their licensing, but also what functions an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their everyday job activities can include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Measuring vital signs<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Administering medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Starting IV drips<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Monitoring patients<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Getting blood or urine samples<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Taking care of patient records<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Supporting doctors or Registered nurses with procedures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Along with their job duties being governed by each state, the health care facilities or other Girdwood AK healthcare providers where LPNs work can additionally limit their job roles within those parameters. Additionally, they can work in numerous specialties of nursing, for instance long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.<\/p>\n
Online LPN Programs<\/h3>\n
![\"female](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/female-student-attending-LPN-school-online.jpg\" "\\"female")
Enrolling in LPN programs online is emerging as a more favored way to obtain training and attain a nursing certificate or degree in Girdwood AK. Many schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and nearly all programs call for a specified number of clinical rotation hours conducted in a local healthcare center. But since the rest of the training can be accessed online, this option may be a more accommodating solution to finding the free time to attend college for many students. Pertaining to tuition, a number of online degree programs are less costly than other on campus choices. Even additional expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more economical. And a large number of online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. And so if your job and family commitments have left you with little time to pursue your academic goals, perhaps an online LPN program will make it easier to fit a degree into your active 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 Girdwood AK 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 Programs<\/h3>\n
![\"Questions](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Questions-to-ask-LPN-programs.jpg\" "\\"Questions")
Once you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, and if you will attend classes on campus or on the web, you can use the following checklist to begin narrowing down your options. As you probably realize, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges near Girdwood AK as well as within Alaska and throughout the United States. So it is necessary to lower the number of schools to select from so that you will have a workable list. As we earlier pointed out, the site 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 prior to making your final choice, use the following questions to see how your selection measures up to the field.<\/p>\n- \n
- Accreditation. <\/strong>It’s a good idea to make sure that the certificate program along with the school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Besides helping ensure that you get a premium education, it may assist in securing financial aid or student loans, which are frequently not offered for non-accredited schools near Girdwood AK.<\/li>\n
- Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing requirements for LPNs differ 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 performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only provides a top-notch education, but also readies you to satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Alaska or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Reputation. <\/strong>Look at internet rating services to see what the reviews are for each of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. Also, check with the Alaska school licensing authority to find out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some local Girdwood AK 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 complete 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 confirm that the school has a good reputation within the Girdwood AK healthcare community, but that it also has the network of relationships to assist students attain employment.<\/li>\n
- Internship Programs<\/strong>. The most effective way to acquire 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. A number of states have minimum clinical hour prerequisites for licensing too. Check if the schools have a working relationship with local Girdwood AK community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Enrolling in an LPN Program near Girdwood AK?<\/h3>\n
If you are considering enrolling in and attending an LPN school near Girdwood AK, you may find the following information both interesting and useful when making your final decision.<\/p>\n
Girdwood, Anchorage<\/h3>
Girdwood is a resort town within the southern extent of the Municipality of Anchorage in the state of Alaska. Located near the end of the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, Girdwood lies in a valley in the southwestern Chugach Mountains, surrounded by seven glaciers feeding into a number of creeks, which either converge within the valley or empty directly into the arm. Girdwood is typically accessed by the Seward Highway (Milepost 90), with the main line of the Alaska Railroad paralleling the highway. By road distance, most of the community lies within 35 to 40 miles (56 to 64\u00a0km) of downtown Anchorage. According to 2014 estimates, a little under 2,000 people live in the valley.\n<\/p>
Founded as a community to supply miners during the Turnagain Arm gold rushes of the 1890s, Girdwood was mostly a small, quiet place until the middle of the 20th century. Two events drastically altered that. The first was the establishment of Alyeska Resort along the slopes of Mount Alyeska, which became an international destination coincidental with Anchorage's civic promotion of itself as \"The Air Crossroads of the World\". The second was the 1964 earthquake, which devastated the original townsite located directly along the arm. Following the earthquake, most of the town moved further up the valley to a new townsite, though a few homes remained and a strip mall was later constructed along the Seward Highway. Historically dominated in the years since the resort's opening by seasonally-occupied vacation homes and seasonal activity at the resort, the opening of the Alyeska Prince Hotel during the 1990s has shifted the resort, and hence Girdwood as a whole, more towards year-round activity and a year-round economy. This has led to periodic debates about community growth and affordability of housing for resort workers, many of whom over the years have resorted to camping illegally on public lands.\n<\/p>
Girdwood still revolves heavily around seasonal activity, with skiing and snowboarding at Alyeska Resort bringing visitors and their money into the community. Summer activities are also popular, which include hiking, fishing and rafting. The Girdwood Forest Fair, held every July, is the community's most significant visitor attraction apart from resort-related activities. Girdwood is located within the northernmost extent of rain forest on Earth, and also serves as the closest point of access to Chugach National Forest from Anchorage proper.\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Pick the Right LPN Program near Girdwood AK<\/h3>\n
![\"Girdwood](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/LPN-geriatric-nurse-with-patient.jpg\" "\\"Girdwood")
Choosing the ideal Licensed Practical Nurse program is probably the most critical step to starting a new career in the health care industry. There are many variables that you must think about when selecting a nursing school. These aspects will be prioritized differently contingent on your existing career objectives, lifestyle, and financial situation. As we have emphasized in this article, it is essential that you pick an LPN school<\/a> and a certificate or degree program that are each accredited and have excellent reputations within the health care community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in How Many Years to Become an LPN<\/a>. However, by utilizing our list of qualifying questions, you will be able to produce a shortlist of schools to pick from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the appropriate degree and training, combined with your hard work and desire to succeed, you can become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Girdwood AK.<\/strong><\/p>\nMore Practical Locations in Alaska<\/h4>\n
- Licensed Practical Nurse Degree Kodiak AK<\/a><\/li>
- Get Your LPN Degree Online Clear AK<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Training Online Homer AK<\/a><\/li>
- School for LVN Eagle River AK<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Weekend Program Gustavus AK<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Online Courses Galena AK<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Certificate Eielson Afb AK<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Education Bethel AK<\/a><\/li>
- Become an LVN Juneau AK<\/a><\/li>
- Online LPN Degrees Nikiski AK<\/a><\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
\n\n - Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing requirements for LPNs differ 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 performed, as well as the passing of additional tests. It’s important that the school you are attending not only provides a top-notch education, but also readies you to satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Alaska or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Administering medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n