Everything You Need to Know About a Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse

Helping people is something that many peoplehospital doing a variety of different work.
enjoy, and one way that you can do this is toWhether you enjoy working with children, in the
start out in a career as a licensed practical nurse.emergency room, or even delivering babies, you
This is a great idea for those who love the ideaare sure to find a great job in a hospital. There
of being a nurse but who don't want to goare also great jobs in homes for the elderly as
through as much school as registered nurses havewell, whether in nursing homes or assisted living
to go through. If you are considering being afacilities. You can also find great jobs in home
licensed practical nurse, then you probably wanthealth care, working for the state or federal
to know a bit more about the occupation andgovernment, working in a doctors' office, or even
what all is required. Some things you need toworking for educational facilities.
investigate include the education you will need, theLet's Talk Money
types of jobs that are available in the field, theWhen it comes to being a licensed practical nurse,
money you can make as a licensed practicalthe earnings are definitely not too shabby. Usually
nurse, and a few companies that are excellent tothese nurses can expect to earn somewhere
work for.between $25,000 and $40,000 dollars each year,
Education Neededalthough some report earning even higher wages.
If you want to get involved in a career as aThose who work in hospitals usually earn around
licensed practical nurse, then you are going to get$35,000 each year as do those who are
some education before you get stared. First of allemployed in nursing homes and home health care.
you are going to have to have a high schoolUsually nurses who are working in doctors' offices
diploma or your GED in order to get entrance intoearn a bit less and average around $30,000 a
a State approved program for licensed practicalyear. If a licensed practical nurse goes on to get a
nurses. You will have to take this program andbachelor's degree in nurses, he or she will have
then once you have completed the program youthe potential to earn even more money as a
will have to pass the state licensing examination innurse once that degree is completed and often
your particular state. If you pass the exam youtheir place of employment will help to pay for the
will be able to begin working as a licensed practicaleducational expenses for that degree as well.
nurse.Great Companies to Consider
Usually the training to become a licensed practicalIf you are looking for a job as a licensed practical
nurse will only take you about a year. You willnurse, there are a variety of options for you to
have classes with lectures; however, you will alsoconsider. For those working in the United States,
get hands on training as well in your clinical part ofworking for the federal government is a great
the course. Some of the subjects you'll learnidea and you will get great pay and excellent
about in your classes include basic anatomy andbenefits while working there. Another great place
physiology, obstetrics, pediatrics, administeringto work in the United States is at Case Western
drugs, nutrition, first aid, and psychiatric nursing.University in Cleveland, Ohio. This is one of the
When you do your clinicals, you may spend timetop hospitals in the U.S. and you are sure to get
in a hospital, a nursing home, or even in a doctor'sgreat wages. Another excellent place to work in
office as well.the U.S. is the Shands hospital located in
Available JobsGainesville, Florida. There are also several great
There are a variety of jobs that are open forplaces to work in Canada. Some of the great
licensed practical nurses. In fact, there are manycompanies to work for in Canada include Aspen
open jobs for nurses that are not being filled,Regional Health, and the Brenda Strafford
since there seems to be a shortage of nurses inFoundation.
the past few years. You can find great jobs in a