The world is filled with people who need nurses. If you’re compassionate, a natural-born caregiver, and not squeamish, a nursing career could be your calling. An LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse, is responsible for general nursing care and the comfort of their patients. LPNs work under the management of a Registered Nurse (RN) or doctor and can work at places such as private home care, assisted living facilities, hospitals and nursing homes. An LPN position offers a versatile career that you will be able to use throughout your life.
LPN Education
High school graduates who are at least 18 years old, drug-free and with a clean criminal record can enter LPN training programs. The training time is short, nowhere near as demanding as RN certification. Once training is complete you will be awarded a post-secondary non-degree certification enabling you to immediately begin work in your field. Because of the constant demand for LPNs in a variety of settings, there will always be job security whether you choose to work in a hospital or clinic or a private nursing setting.
LPN Income
While an LPN does not make as much as an RN, getting this certification can still lead to a comfortable income and lucrative career path. With annual income for LPNs in the U.S. averaging $43K in 2015, you can definitely support yourself well.
Versatility for LPNs
Because of the broad training received to be an LPN, your certification can help you expand your job possibilities outside care-giving. Consulting, community health education, medical coding and billing, medical call centers, and medical transcription are all areas where an LPN can use their training to find success.
LPN Career Projections
Unlike many other occupations in the U.S. that won’t see a great deal of estimated growth, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for LPNs will increase by 25% through the year 2022. This means that based on the number of certified and employed LPNs in 2012 we can expect an increase of almost 183,000 jobs in the LPN field.
An LPN has freedom in many areas of their career because of the broad spectrum of their training. If you prefer to work with the elderly and do in home care rather than a 9-5 at a doctor’s office, you may have that ability. A well-trained, friendly and knowledgeable LPN will have many options to grow in the nursing field.
