Practical Nursing
Nature of Work
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. LPNs care for patients in many ways. Often, they provide basic bedside care. Many LPNs measure and record patients' vital signs such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, dress wounds, and give alcohol rubs and massages. To help keep patients comfortable, they assist with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, moving in bed, standing, and walking. They might also feed patients who need help eating. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.
As part of their work, LPNs collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, and record food and fluid intake and output. They clean and monitor medical equipment. Sometimes, they help physicians and registered nurses perform tests and procedures. Some LPNs help to deliver, care for, and feed infants.
LPNs also monitor their patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. LPNs gather information from patients, including their health history and how they are currently feeling. They may use this information to complete insurance forms, pre-authorizations, and referrals, and they share information with registered nurses and doctors to help determine the best course of care for a patient. LPNs often teach family members how to care for a relative or teach patients about good health habits.
Career Outlook
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) held about 738,400 jobs in 2012. The industries that employed the most LPNs were as follows:
- Nursing care facilities/skilled nursing facilities (29 percent)
- Hospitals (20 percent)
- Offices of physicians (12 percent)
- Home health care services (11 percent)
- Residential care facilities (8 percent)
Employment opportunities are projected to grow by approximately 25 percent from 2012 through 2022.
Credentials You Can Earn
Program Expenses
The Higher Education Act requires all colleges and universities to notify students and prospective students of the all program costs for which they will be responsible. Students will be responsible for the following expenses:
Admissions Fees
- Nonrefundable application fee ($25)
- Program Placement Examination ($75)
Outside Vendor Fees Prior to Beginning PSNG Courses
- Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification ($40)
- Hepatitis B Immunization ($200)
- Tuberculosis Skin Test ($25)
- Flu Vaccine ($25)
- Physical Examination (Approximately $300)
- Uniforms (Approximately $175)
Semester Fees
- Tuition ($89 per credit hour)
- Accident Insurance Fee ($4 per term)
- Campus Supply Fee ($40 per term)
- Instruction Fee ($55 per term)
- Parking Fee ($20 per term)
- Campus Safety Fee ($25 per term)
- Registration Fee ($50 per term)
- Student Activity Fee ($30 per term)
- Technology Fee ($105 per term)
- Summer semester - Lab supply fee $25
Throughout the Program
- Background Checks and Drug Screenings (Approximately $100 per required check/screening)
- Malpractice Insurance ($11 per year)
- Textbooks (Approximately $700)
- Supply Fee (Varies — See course descriptions for exact amount)
Outside Vendor Fees at Program Completion
- NCLEX-PN Licensure Examination ($300)
- State Board Background Check ($55)
- State Board Licensure Application Fee ($40)
These expenses are based on costs in effect at the time this catalog was published. Prices are subject to change.
