Effective April 20, 2022, this nursing program is a Candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on April 20, 2024.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000
acenursing.com/candidates/candidacy.asp
Note: Upon granting of initial accreditation by the ACEN Board of Commissioners, the effective date of initial accreditation is the date on which the nursing program was approved by the ACEN as a candidate program that concluded in the Board of Commissioners granting initial accreditation.
The Practical Nursing Program at ESCC has the approval of the Alabama Board of Nursing and meets the education requirements for a practical nursing certificate in the state of Alabama. While LPNs are in high demand and provide essential patient care, the certificate could position them for career pathway progression to becoming an RN.
For more information, please contact:
What is Practical Nursing?
A Practical Nurse is a vital part of the healthcare system and is responsible for providing patients with essential care, which includes helping them to eat, dress, bathe, etc. They also assist Registered Nurses (RNs) and Doctors in keeping detailed records, maintaining clear communication between the entire care team, and working with patients and their families to understand procedures and how to care for sick relatives.
While many nurses spend their entire careers working as a PN, this position is also a great stepping stone to furthering your education and enjoying a pay increase by becoming a BSN-RN or Nurse Practitioner (NP).
WHAT JOBS CAN I GET?
An LPN works under the supervision of doctors and RNs, performing duties such as taking vital signs, collecting samples, administering medication, ensuring patient comfort, and reporting the status of their patients to the nurses. They report to doctors and registered nurses and sometimes oversee CNAs. Within an organization, the overall function of a licensed practical nurse is to ensure patient comfort and safety.
WHAT’S THE CAREER
GROWTH POTENTIAL?
While salaries vary according to location, the median salary for an LPN is $47,480 – according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The good news is that this is a growing field with high demand and salaries are expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years.
The median annual salary for an LPN is $47,480 as of 2019 according to the BLS. However, nurses in certain areas can earn over $50,000. Those numbers don’t include bonuses, overtime, holiday pay, and other benefits. Certain facilities may even offer financial help if you choose to further your education. All of these different benefits are something to consider as you shop around for the right job.
Pay and benefits for LPNs will vary widely according to what area of the healthcare system you are working in and your actual location. In general, LPNs can volunteer for available overtime and earn 1.5 times their normal salary. Full-time positions also come with holiday pay and sick time. Depending on the healthcare facility, LPNs can also earn bonuses and may be able to enroll in profit-sharing programs.
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM INFORMATION:
The Practical Nursing Program accepts applications during very specific times dependent upon the semester for which you are applying.
Regardless of the application period or program type, the nursing department will notify applicants via email beginning 4 weeks (or one month) after the application deadline.
TRADITIONAL PROGRAM:
The Traditional PN Program accepts applications twice a year:
• Fall Semester: Nursing application must be submitted between March 1st and May 31st
• Spring Semester: Nursing application must be submitted between July 1st and September 30th
TRADITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
Eligibility is required for English Composition I (ENG 101) and Intermediate College Algebra (MTH 100) during the first semester, if not previously taken.
STRENGTHS
Compassion
Having compassion and empathy for your patients is important in this line of work. Many times you will be working with patients who are undergoing a great deal of physical and emotional stress.
DETAIL ORIENTED
Keeping accurate track of details is a critical skill for any job that involves caring for patients, and this holds true for practical nurses. Delivering accurate care at the correct time is critical to the patients’ health.
INTERPERSONAL & COMMUNICATION SKILLS
In a Practical Nurse job, you will need to have good communication skills. The job will require interacting with your patients and being able to communicate with them so that you can understand their needs.
PATIENCE
In this career, your job is to work with sick and injured people. This may mean they move slowly and need your help with basic tasks. This may mean they have dementia and are unable to communicate meaningfully with you.
PHYSICAL STRENGTH & STAMINA
Because practical nurses work so closely with patients, they are often called upon to help patients move from their bed to a wheelchair, to reposition patients as their bedclothes are being changed, or to help them with bathing and getting dressed.
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has resources that may be helpful:
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