The NCLEX is made and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. It comes in two forms the NCLEX-PN for those seeking licensure as a practical or licensed vocation nurse and the NLCEX-RN for those seeking licensure as a registered nurse. This test is given and overseen by each state separately.

There is a cost associated with taking this exam and it is professionally monitored. If the exam is failed you have to wait a grace period of about 45-90 days before you can retest. Each state decides how many times an applicant can take the test after failing it. Moreover, the test is varied in composition mixing multiple choice with fill ins and rankings, and it is time limited. The exam is what is called CAT computer adaptive testing which allows the computer to choose the questions in a certain sequence based on the test taker’s previous answers. This provides an idea of the test taker’s knowledge of specific questions related to certain aspects of nursing. Because of the cost, time and significance of the NCLEX you should definitely prepare for this exam.

You would never want the many years of nursing school to go to waste all because you failed to pass the NCLEX so you should definitely prepare for this exam. There are nursing school programs that do devote time to reviewing for the NCLEX but given all that has to be covered within a nursing curriculum seeking an additional source to prepare for this test is vital. After graduating from nursing school it should be a priority to take this test as soon as possible since much of what you have learned is still fresh. Seek the support of NCLEX study groups; purchase the many NCLEX review materials and study, study, study. Review everything especially triage information and pharmacology because there is a good chance there will be questions related to these topics. This test will determine whether you will be able to work so it is in your best interest to prepare!

The NCLEX is one of the most important tests you will take as a nursing school graduate. Showing competence on this test by successfully passing it shows that you have truly taken the steps needed to become a qualified licensed nurse.

The demand for LPN’s does not only extend to clinical situations they are in huge demand in the normal workforce as technology advances, and this makes it definitely a career opportunity which is more diverse. Training as and LPN is also a good stepping stone to get started in nursing and advance a career into and RN or even BSN. In nursing there is no limit to how far a career can go.

Overview of KPA’s (Key Performance Areas)

The LPN, like all nurses, cares for the injured, ill, infirm, disabled or convalescent patient. By nature they are sympathetic care givers and they work under the direct supervision of an RN or physician. Depending on what is expected of them, they are trained to and may:

• Take health information from the patient
• Take vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, etc.)
• Prepare and administer injections
• Help patients with their personal hygiene needs
• Perform routine lab tests and take the samples for these
• Care for infants
• Educate patients and their family members about good health
• Supervise CNA’s (Certified Nursing Assistant) and aides

Tuition

Educational programs for LPN’s involve a year of study and this can be done online, at a vocational or technical/community college or a hospital. It is a more practical nursing program than  the RN program for example. Bear in mind that the program has to be certified and accredited by the State Board of Nursing, as this is the only way to obtain a license to practice. Graduates of the program must pass a National Council Licensure Examination, and each individual state in the US administers this examination.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees cost approximately $2 000 but this obviously varies from institution to institution and considering and online college, may save quite substantial amounts in tuition fees. Grants, financial aid and bursaries are available to help students complete these studies.

Future Work Prospects

LPN’s have very good future work prospects, presently they are in great demand and this demand is expect to grow by 14% in the next six years. Hospitals are obviously the first port of call when seeking work, however home health care services, and care facilities have great need of these nurses too. The Baby Boomer population is finally ageing and it is this which is expected to increase the demand for more nursing services. Advanced technology allows physicians to perform procedure in their rooms which were typically performed in hospitals decades ago and this make the LPN role vital in terms of post operative doctors’ room and home care.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) also known as a vocational nurse is what some may consider the entry level area of nursing. Any one considering a career as a LPN must have a general education diploma or have successfully completed high school. Training for a position as a licensed practical nurse can usually be obtained through a community college or a vocational school, or through online LPN nursing classes. With full time study most students are able to complete training within a year. After completing a practical nursing program students must complete and pass a state licensing exam. LPNs make a decent entry level salary starting anywhere from $35,000 annually for a year’s worth of training. Licensed practical nurses are trained to provide daily living maintenance to patients, dispense medication to patients, start IVs and in some medical facilities maintain medical paperwork.

For those individuals looking for higher pay and more professional responsibility seeking licensure as a registered nurse is the ideal. A registered nurse (R.N.) completes an associate of nursing degree (A.S.N.) at a local community college. With the full time study most A.S.N. programs can be completed in two years and this includes both classroom and clinical portions of the program. Nurses with a two year degree are eligible to take the NCLEX which is the nursing certification test to obtain a license to work in their chosen state. Obtain passing the NCLEX a person is officially a registered nurse and has an unlimited amount of opportunities to work and any medical facility as a nurse. The pay for a registered nurse is higher than those of the practical nurse with starting salaries beginning as high as $50,000 a year depending on the employer. Registered nurses have the training to provide a vast amount of patient care and they can specialize in many different areas such as neonatal care, intensive care and medical surgical nursing to name just a few.

Registered nurses can further their education and receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (B.S.N). Many hospitals are willing to assist their registered nurses in furthering their education by offering tuition assistance and reimbursement. Likewise, there are many nursing programs that offer R.N. to B.S.N. programs to aid current nurses in obtaining their bachelors degree. For an R.N. bridging their education to a bachelor’s degree it can take anywhere from two to four years to finish the program depending on full time or part time study. For those without previous nursing experience a traditional B.S.N. program is four years in duration. A bachelor’s degree in nursing helps to expand on the clinical skills already obtained and then offers a core in nursing foundation such as the history of nursing and the application of nursing on a broader level such as in administration.

Finally, there are a number of advanced practice degrees that can be obtained by nurses with a four year degree. The Master’s of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) can be obtained in a variety of specialized fields such as nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice nurses are highly trained in their chosen areas and earn a much higher income because of the additional education and training. Most master’s degree programs can be completed in two years if attended full time.

Anyone considering becoming a nurse as a profession has a variety of pathways to pursue their career, beginning with choosing their nursing degree.

To satisfy the growing demand for LVN job descriptions, there are a large number of vocational nursing school programs that are available today. This is one way of beginning a new and high paying career. The demand for nurses is higher than ever and is expected to continue to remain high for the next 30 years.

Have you always dreamed of being a nurse, but were to busy working and raising your family to fulfill those dreams? Well, there are more options available to you today, than ever before. Licensed vocational nursing school programs, or LVN programs, offer a simple entry into the health care field. Some people wonder how they can balance nursing courses, family responsibilities and part or full time employment.

On-line nursing school may be one of the answers you are looking for. These offer licensed vocational nursing school programs as well as other nursing programs. The course schedules can be adjusted to fit your individual schedule. With a wide variety of accredited universities available on-line, you can now turn those dreams of becoming a nurse into reality.

With the programs most commonly offered, you can now get your masters, bachelor’s, associates degree, or one of the many certified programs may be what you are looking to for to get you started on the right career path. You can enroll in any of the licensed vocational nursing school programs that fit your needs best. The courses are taken in the comfort of your own home. On-line schools offer a wide variety of possibilities and advantages, such as flexible monthly start dates and convenient day and evening courses.
By enrolling in some of the online licensed vocational nursing school programs you will have many resources that you can use. You will even have the opportunity to use, on-line libraries, interactive forums, career services and individual tutoring. Non-clinical assignments can generally be e-mailed directly to your instructors. Clinical studies can often be completed at a medical facility near your home. Find one of the many licensed vocational nursing programs and enroll today. The first step to a secure career future is up to you.

Once you have your LVN certification, you can begin your search and look through LVN job descriptions, opportunities, and offers. LVN jobs can be found on any online job search website, through newspaper classifieds, in short anywhere there are nursing jobs advertised.