How Long Does It Take to Become an LPN?

Becoming a licensed practical nurse may sound like a daunting task, but it can actually be accomplished in a fairly brief amount of time. Many medical professions require many years of intensive study, while some professions in the field of medicine can be attained in less time. Making an entry into the field of nursing is feasible even with a full time job.

Institutions have made it more attainable to become certified as an LPN by offering classes at different times of the day and in different course lengths. The prerequisites to nursing are fairly simple education requirements. To become an LPN, not only will you learn nursing, but you’ll also gain knowledge in the areas of psychology, physiology, and more.

How Long It Takes...

There are multitudes of licensed practical nurse programs available at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities. You can become an LPN in a year or two with an accumulation of 36-40 credit hours of coursework, although the length of the program can vary from state to state.

Depending on where you are, you may need to complete a background check, drug screening, CPR training, and a physical exam to qualify.

Typically all programs will require that you have a high school diploma or GED as a prerequisite. There are 18 month LPN programs that require you to complete your course work in five semesters during a part time basis. This is a great option if you still have a full time job and you would like to become and LPN.

What You Learn In The Process...

After the program is completed, you will have gained patient care skills, knowledge of the human anatomy, pharmacology, and techniques to work with the elderly. Most programs are likely to include arts and sciences. You will pass the National Council Licensure Examination as the last step in becoming a licensed practical nurse.

There is a test plan made available by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing so that you can study as long as you need to prior to taking the examination. After you pass this test demonstrating that you have entry level nursing skills and pay the $200 fee, you can make your entrance into the field of nursing.

What You Can Do With Your LPN Credentials...

When you officially become a licensed practical nurse you can work in a variety of settings. Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health facilities, and similar businesses will all require your services as an LPN. You will likely be supervised by a doctor or registered nurse. At one of these institutions you will be able to care for patients, measure vital signs, and assist sick and injured people in range of ways and much more.

The tasks of a nurse also include:

• Maintaining patient files
• Collecting fluid samples
• Dressing wounds
• Aiding patients with personal hygiene
• Instructing family members on how to care for the sick relative

As a nurse you would supervise nursing assistants at a health facility or wherever you chose to work. You could also potentially work at the home of a patient as an in-home LPN. Your schedule as a nurse may be fairly regular, but may also include working night and weekend hours. These factors may change your nursing experience, but your career will soon prove to be very rewarding regardless.

Though you may need to apply some degree of skill in your coursework to become a nurse, it is certainly achievable. After a year or two of studying you can take your National Council Licensure Examination and officially join a facility as an LPN. You will be able to care for patients as a trained and certified nurse with all of the necessary skills to succeed in this field. Contact Athena Career Academy today to get started.

To learn more about a career as a Practical Nurse, and whether it’s the right fit for you, schedule an appointment with Athena Career Academy today. One meeting with our Admissions counselors could help put you on the path to a successful new career that could change your life for the better. 

Athena Career Academy is located at:
5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30AM to 4:30PM
Phone: (419) 329-4075