NURSE, LICENSED PRACTICAL


Licensed practical nurses (LPN) help care for the physically or mentally ill by providing basic bedside care that requires technical knowledge but not the professional education and training of a registered nurse. They care for patients ranging from newborns to adults, from labor and delivery to postmortem. The LPN functions under the direction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or licensed dentist in the care of the ill, injured, convalescent, aged and/or handicapped person in private homes and various health care agencies. LPNs take and record patient's vital signs, dress wounds, administer prescribed medications and assist patients with daily living activities such as feeding, bathing and personal hygiene. Some of the work, such as lifting patients and turning them in bed, can be strenuous. Experienced LPNs may assist with the supervision of nursing assistants.

Education

An LPN must complete a 12 to 18 month state-approved training program. Acceptance into these programs usually includes a high school diploma and a passing grade on the Kentucky Medicaid Nurse Aide Registry Examination. Training programs consist of classroom instruction and clinical experience in a variety of nursing fields. These programs are available in public and private schools and hospitals.

Registration/Certification/Licensure

All states require practical nurses to be licensed. Applicants for licensure must complete a state approved program in practical nursing and pass a written exam, the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). LPNs are licensed by the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
 

Salary

$25,000-35,000

Employment Opportunities

Employment is expected to grow faster than average in response to the long-term care needs of a rapidly aging population and to the general growth of health care. Nursing homes will offer the most new jobs for LPNs and very rapid growth is also expected in such residential care facilities as board and care homes, old age homes and group homes for the mentally handicapped, as well as in home health care services. LPNs work in hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, health departments, private homes, nursing homes and other medical care facilities. After additional training, a LPN may work in specialized areas, such as post-operative recovery, obstetrics, pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery or emergency care.

Programs

The Health Institute of Louisville (502) 580-3660
Ashland Technical College  (606) 928-6427
Bowling Green Technical College, Glasgow Campus (270) 651-5673
Central Kentucky Technical College, Lexington Campus (859) 246-2400
Central Kentucky Technical College, Danville Campus (606) 239-7030
Cumberland Valley Technical College at Pineville  (606) 337-3106
Elizabethtown Technical College (270) 766-5133
Hazard Technical College (606) 435-6101
Jefferson Technical College at Louisville (502) 595-2389
Madisonville Technical College, Health Branch Campus (270) 824-7552
Mayo Technical College at Paintsville (606) 789-5321
Northern Kentucky Technical College, Edgewood Campus (859) 341-5200
Owensboro Technical College (270) 687-7255
Rowan Technical College at Morehead (606) 783-1538
Somerset Technical College (606) 677-4049
Spencerian College (800) 264-1799
West Kentucky Technical College at Paducah (270) 554-4991

Professional Associations

National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses
1418 Aversboro Road
Garner, N.C. 27619
(800) 958-2511		 American Licensed Practical Nurses Association
1090 Vermont Ave. N.W., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005-4905
(202) 682-9000

Last updated:  June 26, 2001