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LPN Degrees Online – Guide to Choosing the Right Online LPN School

An LPN is a medical professional who is able to perform a large range of duties under the guidance of an RN or doctor. These members of the medical community can provide many valuable services in a large range of medical facilities, including nursing homes, residential care facilities, and private homes. Next we’ll delve further into what you should look for when researching LPN degrees online.

Why Choose To Get An LPN Degree Online?

Obtaining LPN degrees online can be a great deal easier than attending at a campus. Oftentimes, people who want to obtain degrees do not have the option of focusing only on the degree. It is not uncommon for people to have families and other jobs to consider. By taking LPN classes online, one can easily earn their degree in the comfort of their own home. There are many other things that are added benefits to attending classes online, they are:

  • Low Cost
  • Specified Programs Customized Per Student
  • Never Ever Spend Time Or Gas Driving To A Classroom
  • Complete Coursework Easily And At Own Pace
  • Online Classes Are Usually Shorter Degree Times

Education Required To Become An LPN

Due to the demand for this career, many people are looking to become an LPN and to do so you must take part in a training program. Another benefit to being an LPN is the ability to specialize in an another area of nursing, such as obstetrics. Vocational schools and nursing schools offer Licensed Practical Nursing programs; however, there are other options that some do not consider like taking the LPN classes online. Earning a degree online is easier than going to a local college or vocational school. There are numerous courses that are offered on the internet. Many people choose this method, because it allows them to continue to work their current job or spend time with their family and still easily attend classes.

What To Look For In An Online College

Finding the right site to earn LPN degrees online can be simple when following a few basic steps. The most important thing to do before taking any LPN classes online is to make sure they are accredited. There are many states, which will not accept LPN’s who graduated from a program that is not accredited by “The National League of Nursing Accreditation Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.” Selecting the right online school is a huge factor in the success of a nursing career. Here are a few tips to consider when selecting a nursing site:

  • Evaluate The Programs Offered
  • Consider Cost Of Each Site
  • Learn Prerequisites For The Site
  • What Time Commitment Is Required?
  • Where Will Clinical Experience Take Place?
  • Are The Teacher Medical Professionals?
  • Make Sure The Classes Are Recognized By The State

How To Pay For Online Classes

Many people think that they cannot pay for classes out of their own pocket, as they are too expensive. Actually, there is help available to online students as well as campus students. Many programs are eligible for scholarships and financial aid, whether being taught online or on campus. They are usually offered the same as to students enrolled in traditional programs. Most colleges charge fees for those who are out of states students; however, online programs do not charge these fees. Most universities offer lower costs to online students; this can be a drastic savings over traditional costs of schooling.

Taking Classes Online Makes Sense

The benefits of taking classes or earning your LPN degree online are vast. For some it is just merely trying to save money and time, for others it is about getting a leg up in the workplace. The goal is to increase ones salary and provide a good and stable living for the family. There are many advantageous to becoming an LPN, like the ability to down the road take classes to become an RN. A career in nursing can be a stepping stone to a bigger and more adventurous career in the medical field.

LPN Duties – What Does an LPN Do?

Many of the LPN duties will vary based on the facility and state regulations which oversee the functions of a licensed practical nurse. Have you ever heard the quote, “Behind every successful doctor is an exhausted nurse”? This is extremely true because of the wide range of responsibilities that are taken on by these health care professionals.

After completing the required education and training a licensed practical nurse can find employment in a number of different environments. The location that a person is employed at will have an impact on the duties and responsibilities which are undertaken by the individual. In all cases an LPN will follow under the direction of a physician or RN.

Typical LPN duties include:

  • Obtaining and monitoring vitals
  • Accurately documenting health history and patient complaints
  • Alert physician to any results requiring attention
  • Laboratory specimen collection including phlebotomy, urine, and many others
  • Bedside testing or POC testing, such as EKG, blood glucose, Coumadin levels
  • Assist in examinations, procedures, and surgeries
  • Coordinate care with other practices
  • Obtain pre authorization for procedures and medications
  • Train and educate patients in conditions and therapies
  • Injections
  • Intravenous placement and monitoring
  • Prepare patients for procedures
  • Medication distribution
  • Assist patients in daily hygiene routines
  • Management positions
  • Perform limited radiology and other imaging studies
  • Complete physician orders for treatments and first aid, such as dressing and cleaning wounds or performing an enema
  • Address messages and telephone calls from patients, family members, and other professional services
  • Order and stock supplies

 

These are just a few of the many things that a licensed practical nurse may be asked to do. As a student, an individual will be provided with a strong base of health care knowledge. It is up to the individual to increase their education and skills to advance in position and professional abilities which will increase their LPN duties.

Nurses who work within a physician’s private office will typically have a wider range of responsibilities than those found in a hospital setting. This occurs as a result of the smaller office having limited personnel when compared to larger facilities such as a hospital or multi practice location. There is also a large difference between practice types in what a licensed practical nurse will be expected to do. To illustrate this, consider the differences between a specialty office like gastroenterology and a primary care practice. An LPN is also regularly employed with home health care groups as well.

The large difference in LPN duties and work load is a major contributing factor to why an individual prefers one setting to another, just as a person gravitates to one area of practice over another.

A LPN that is applying to a position will typically be provided with a written guideline of the requirements for the position. It is important to fully review these expectations to prevent misunderstandings or being placed in a position that has responsibilities a person is not willing to perform. As has been discussed, there are a number of different LPN duties that can be required of an individual. Also, many of the duties given to an LPN are similar to those which might be used if you decided to further your career as an RN or by joining an online RN to BSN program.

LPN Travel Jobs – Maximize Your Earning Potential

LPN travel nurses are in demand all over America, as well as all aspects of the medical field. As people continue to get older, and quite naturally, require more medical attention, this fact is only bound to increase the demand of not only, LPN’s but also, LPN travel jobs. The U.S. is currently experiencing a shortage of LPN Travel Nurses. With the varying severity of this common theme around the U.S., one can only expect this shortage to increase if current trends continue. Traditionally, LPN travel nurses has been a relatively small sector in the medical industry. Now people are beginning to maximize this growing trend to make extra income, and take advantage of any pay increase that may come as a result of accepting one of these positions.

What is a LPN travel job?

LPN travel jobs are very similar to working with a temporary agency in many ways. An agency will get you an assignment in a specific location, usually out of town, and then you report to the assignment in the time frame established. Licensed practical nursing jobs are in high demand, and if you have at least one year experience you should pretty much be able to find a job anywhere you like.

How Long Can the Assignments Last?

For the most part, LPN travel jobs will last anywhere from a minimum of eight weeks, to a maximum of 26 weeks. You can anticipate that most jobs will last a standard length of eight to thirteen weeks in all. Of course, if you really enjoy the position that you are in, and the facility that you are employed with has an opening for a permanent worker, then most agencies have a temp to hire program in which you attain a permanent position with a company after a stipulated tenure with the agency.

Will my Costs Incurred be Accommodated?

The medical facility you are employed by will, in most cases, provide travel expenses for the cost of traveling and housing. In other LPN travel jobs, you will be given the assistance necessary to find adequate housing in a comfortable part of town, and a housing allowance.

What is the Pay Scale?

LPN travel jobs pay above average wages. Of course, all of the factors that determine your rate of pay when applying for a normal position still hold the same value when applying for LPN travel jobs, including experience, the number of years in the field, and your level of expertise. Every state you decide to work in will require a separate form of licensing so keep that in mind when it comes to accepting assignments. The nurse travel agency will be instrumental in assisting and facilitating the certification process. You even have the option to continue to take different assignments with either the same agency or different agencies. For those who enjoy traveling, or life on the road, this is a perfect opportunity to do what you love and still have the flexibility to live as you enjoy.

LPN Salary by State


If you’re just looking for a quick overview. Here is a breakdown of the median LPN salary by state.
To use our handy LPN job search tool click here.

State Hourly Rate Annual
Alabama $13.82 $28760
Alaska $18.01 $37990
Arizona $16.60 $34920
Arkansas $13.52 $28140
California $18.84 $39570
Colorado $17.27 $35990
Connecticut $22.58 $46890
Delaware $19.89 $41460
District of Columbia $21.85 $45450
Florida $19.03 $39520
Georgia $14.91 $24940
Hawaii $17.35 $32590
Idaho $15.50 $32160
Illinois $16.90 $35010
Indiana $15.89 $33020
Iowa $14.66 $29890
Kansas $14.71 $29870
Kentucky $15.19 $31250
Louisiana $13.68 $28120
Maine $15.05 $31090
Maryland $19.55 $40600
Massachusetts $22.80 $48180
Michigan $17.11 $37100
Mississippi $13.01 $27280
Missouri $14.58 $30280
Montana $13.54 $28120
Nebraska $14.77 $30610
State Hourly Rate Annual
Nevada $18.02 $37480
New Hampshire $16.72 $34850
New Jersey $19.98 $41240
New Mexico $15.86 $32890
New York $16.78 $34380
North Carolina $15.72 $32830
North Dakota $13.87 $27900
Ohio $16.28 $33860
Oklahoma $13.67 $27880
Oregon $17.27 $35900
Pennsylvania $16.91 $34950
Rhode Island $20.21 $43460
South Carolina $16.81 $34240
South Dakota $13.02 $27470
Tennessee $14.49 $29810
Texas $16.18 $34830
Utah $15.18 $31330
Vermont $15.02 $31440
Virginia $15.66 $31990
Washington $17.92 $35680
West Virginia $12.93 $26050
Wisconsin $16.78 $34120
Wyoming $15.04 $32580
Guam $18.89 $39230
Puerto Rico $7.68 $16160
Virgin Islands $12.11 $25170
Currency: USD