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There are essentially two academic credentials available that provide education to become an LPN near Altoona IA<\/strong>. The one that may be completed in the shortest time period, commonly about twelve months, is the certificate or diploma program. The other option is to obtain 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 advantage of Associate Degrees, along with providing a higher credential and more in-depth training, are that they furnish more transferable credit toward a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing. No matter the type of credential you pursue, it needs to 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 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
![\"Altoona](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Licensed-Practical-Nurse-LPN.jpg\" "\\"Altoona")
Licensed Practical Nurses have many different duties that they complete in the Altoona IA health care facilities where they work. As their titles imply, they are mandated to be licensed in all states, including Iowa. Although they may be accountable for monitoring Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA), they themselves generally work under the oversight of either an RN or a doctor. The health care facilities where they work are numerous and diverse, for example hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and long-term care facilities. Anywhere that you can encounter patients in need of medical care is their dominion. Every state not only oversees their licensing, but also what work activities an LPN can and can’t perform. So based on the state, their day-to-day job functions might include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Measuring vital signs<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Giving medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Setting up IV drips<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Monitoring patients<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Collecting blood or urine samples<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Maintaining patient records<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Helping doctors or Registered nurses with procedures<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In addition to their work duties being regulated by each state, the health care facilities or other Altoona IA healthcare providers where LPNs work can further limit their job roles within those parameters. In addition, they can practice in various specialties of nursing, which include long-term care, critical care, oncology and cardiology.<\/p>\n
LPN Programs Online<\/h3>\n
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Attending LPN programs online is emerging as a more in demand way to receive instruction and attain a nursing certificate or degree in Altoona IA. Many schools will require attending on campus for part of the training, and almost all programs require a specific number of clinical rotation hours conducted in a local healthcare facility. But since the rest of the training can be accessed online, this alternative may be a more practical approach to finding the free time to attend classes for some students. Pertaining to tuition, many online degree programs are less expensive than other on campus options. Even supplementary expenses such as for commuting and study materials can be lessened, helping to make education more affordable. And numerous online programs are accredited by U.S. Department of Education recognized organizations. Therefore if your work and family responsibilities have left you with very little time to work toward 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 Altoona IA 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
Things to Ask LPN Schools<\/h3>\n
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Now that you have decided on obtaining your LPN certificate, as well as if you will attend classes on campus or on the internet, you can utilize the following pointers to start narrowing down your options. As you no doubt are aware, there are numerous nursing schools and colleges near Altoona IA as well as within Iowa and throughout the United States. So it is necessary to reduce the number of schools to select from in order that you will have a workable list. As we previously pointed out, the location of the school as well as the expense of tuition are most likely going to be the first two factors that you will look at. But as we also stressed, they should not be your only qualifiers. So before making your final choice, use the following questions to evaluate 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 as well as the school are accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Aside from helping confirm that you receive a quality education, it may assist in obtaining financial aid or student loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools near Altoona IA.<\/li>\n
- Licensing Preparation<\/strong>. Licensing requirements for LPNs differ from state to state. In all states, a passing score is needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Many 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 attending not only delivers an exceptional education, but also prepares you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Reputation. <\/strong>Check internet rating companies to see what the assessments are for all of the LPN schools you are considering. Ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. In addition, get in touch with the Iowa school licensing authority to check out if there are any complaints or compliance issues. Finally, you can speak with some nearby Altoona IA healthcare organizations you’re interested in working for after graduation and ask what their assessments are of the schools as well.<\/li>\n
- Graduation and Job Placement Rates<\/strong>. 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 complete their programs. A low graduation rate may be an indication that students were displeased 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 favorable reputation within the Altoona IA medical community, but that it also has the network of contacts to assist students gain employment.<\/li>\n
- Internship Programs<\/strong>. The best way to obtain experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is to work in a clinical environment. Essentially all nursing degree programs require a specific number of clinical hours be completed. Various states have minimum clinical hour mandates for licensing too. Find out if the schools have a working relationship with local Altoona IA community hospitals, clinics or labs and help with the placing of students in internships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Enrolling in an LPN Program near Altoona IA?<\/h3>\n
If you are considering enrolling in and attending an LPN school near Altoona IA, you may find the following information both interesting and useful when making your final decision.<\/p>\n
Altoona, Iowa<\/h3>
Anthony Yant first settled in what is now Altoona in 1854, the same year Gilbert T. Taylor settled there. The land was originally surveyed in 1847 and put up for sale by the US government in 1848, but it took six years to sell. After many sales between different families, the Davis family ended up with the land on February 1, 1868.\n<\/p>
The Davises hired surveyor Juian B. Bausman to lay out the city. He is also credited for giving the city the current name. Altoona is named for the Latin word for \"high,\" altus, after surveyor Julian B. Bausman discovered Altoona was the highest point on the Des Moines Valley Railroad between Des Moines and Keokuk.[4]<\/p>
The plot was recorded on July 30, 1868, and the Post office opened the next day. When the Rock Island Railroad came to Altoona in September of that year, they referred to Altoona as Yant, the city's original name.\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Select the Right LPN Program near Altoona IA<\/h3>\n
![\"Altoona](\"https:\/\/practicalnursesedu.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/LPN-geriatric-nurse-with-patient.jpg\" "\\"Altoona")
Deciding on the ideal Licensed Practical Nurse program is probably the most critical step to starting a new career in the healthcare field. There are a number of aspects that you must consider when choosing a nursing school. These variables will be prioritized differently contingent on your current career objectives, obligations, and financial situation. As we have pointed out in this post, it is critical that you select an LPN college<\/a> and a certificate or degree program that are each accredited and have outstanding reputations within the health care community. You originally decided to visit this website because of an interest in LVN Degree<\/a>. However, by utilizing our checklist of qualifying questions, you will be able to create a short list of schools to select from so that you can make your ultimate selection. And with the proper degree and training, combined with your hard work and desire to succeed, you can become an LPN in Altoona IA.<\/strong><\/p>\nMore Practical Locations in Iowa<\/h4>\n
- Licensed Vocational Nurse Programs Sheffield IA<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Course Paullina IA<\/a><\/li>
- Online LPN Nursing Schools De Witt IA<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Class Requirements Millersburg IA<\/a><\/li>
- Online LPN Courses Amana IA<\/a><\/li>
- Licensed Practical Nurse Colleges Winterset IA<\/a><\/li>
- Online LVN Program Scranton IA<\/a><\/li>
- LVN Training Kingsley IA<\/a><\/li>
- LPN Classes Online Laurel IA<\/a><\/li>
- How Long To Become an LPN Norwalk IA<\/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 needed on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) together with graduation from an accredited school. Many 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 attending not only delivers an exceptional education, but also prepares you to satisfy the minimum licensing standards for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing.<\/li>\n
- Giving medicines<\/strong><\/li>\n