Going over from the LPN to BSN Programs!

At present, right after doctors, nursing is one profession that is seriously short of trained candidates. The United States labor department has already stated that there is a severe shortage of trained nurses in the country. As a direct result of that, the number of nursing instructors has also fallen resulting in long waiting lists for students to get into a nursing program. Kind of a vicious circle, but its true!

What does an LPN do?

A licensed practical nurse (LPN), is also called as an vocational practical nurse (VPN) and they are qualified to work as nurses. But they have to be supervised by a physician or a qualified BSN nurse. An LPN nurse is trained in simple routine activities like patient care procedures of temperature and blood pressure checks; bed baths, medication delivery, and helping patients in eating and dressing.

After a few years, LPN's are allowed to work on patients in simple procedures like changing dressings and catheters, devising care plans, caring for bed sores and other simple patient problems which do not require a nurses or doctors supervision. LPN nurses can also take primary care of patients and watch out for sudden changes in patient conditions or adverse medication reactions by carefully monitoring patients and reporting any changes to the supervising physician. LPN's who have several years of experience are also authorized to manage orderlies and nursing assistants. Most vocational schools as well as several community colleges have an LPN program on their curriculum. These LPN programs take about a year to finish. LPN students are also taught to work in clinical settings to get hands-on working experience in nursing.

LPN nurses who graduate the course are handed a certificate or a diploma in practical nursing. But after that they also have to sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN). Licenses have to be renewed every year as they work. If you are one of the lucky few who have already got an LPN certification through a diploma or a degree certificate; then it's time to think big. Back up that LPN degree with a BSN degree and you should be able to get a higher position at a higher pay in a much better hospital

Here's how it works!

A licensed practical nurse can get a BSN qualification in as little as four semesters. This allows an LPN to study further while still continuing his work as a nurse. Online or part time courses are available at the same time which allows the nurse to continue working while still getting them an additional qualification. There are several advantages of completing an online BSN degree like easy coursework, easy learning schedules that can be set according to your work times, revision of core treatment and training concepts, credits for previous work experience, and a whole lot of other advantages.

The online programs can also get you a BSN degree in about 12 months. But you will have to work really hard. Most of these courses have a tight qualification requirement and a GPA of 3.0 or higher to qualify.