Alaska LPN Programs

Find approved LPN courses to earn your Alaska practical nurse certificate

Despite record-high unemployment throughout the US economy, there is no scarcity of jobs for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in the state of Alaska. Alaska is currently experiencing a critical nursing shortage. The state has taken measures to attempt to remedy the shortage by increasing the output of nursing school graduates. Qualified nursing professionals at all levels are needed, especially in the cities of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau.

The focus of the work for a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) is to provide high quality health care in a multitude of complex clinical, technical and computer tasks. Some of the job duties include recording of vital signs, performing phlebotomy, specimen collection, recording EKGs, changing wound dressings, administering medication, scheduling appointments, assisting in medical procedures, and documenting treatments in confidential patient health records.

The LPN must also respect the dignity and privacy of their patients and be guided by ethical principles. It is of utmost importance that the LPN assists the other nursing staff and helps keep the facility clean, safe and organized at all times. Being available to carry out orders in a timely and efficient manner is also of paramount importance, as is working with the clinical staff in making referrals to the appropriate departments per established guidelines.

Other major duties of the practical nurse include keeping an inventory of drug supplies and intravenous fluids and submitting re-order requests in advance. The LPN must also work well in a team, sharing and receiving critical information and feedback in a supportive manner. Practical nurses must have strong written and verbal communication skills to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment. Other LPN duties include training activities and participation in staff meetings.

LPNs also perform the following tasks:

• Assists with monitoring during procedures

• Recognizes emergencies and takes appropriate measures

• Applies appropriate interventions as required

• Assists in providing treatments, procedures and education

• Performs routine IV therapy including insertion, maintenance and discontinuing of peripheral sites

• Management of existing peripheral sites with pre-mixed ‘piggyback’ medications

• Follows critical laws such as patient confidentiality, Americans with Disabilities Act, Workers’ Compensation, abuse reporting, principles of consent, and advanced medical directives.

• Timely reporting of changes in the physical or psychological status of a patient, as well as environmental and equipment factors and taking appropriate corrective action.

• Assists members of the health care team and helps the patient’s family to implement follow-up care

This should provide a basic framework of typical LPN responsibilities and duties. There are many other tasks that an LPN might be called upon to perform and as long as they are properly educated and prepared they should be able to handle such requests in stride. For a career position that requires only one year of training, practical nursing pays very well with average LPN salaries in Alaska around $39,000 per year or about $20/hour.

List of LPN Programs in Alaska (AK)

Alaska LPN Schools

Our directory lists all Alaska schools that currently offer approved practical nursing programs. The Alaska state board of nursing is the regulatory organization in charge of approving LPN education programs. To gain approval, educational institutions must demonstrate to the board of nursing that their program sufficiently prepares students with the knowledge and skills expected of a licensed practical nurse. The on-going approval of a program depends largely upon their graduation rates and the NCLEX pass rates of their graduates. If a program starts to produce poor results in either of these two categories they can quickly lose their state approval or be placed on probationary approval status until their results improve.

Required LPN Classes in Alaska

The specific course work required in practical nursing programs can differ from institution to institution. However, there are some subjects that are almost always included in most programs. Typical LPN classes include Anatomy & Physiology, Basic Nursing Skills, Nutrition, Math for Nurses, Psychology and Pharmacology. Topics covered within these subjects prepare students with the knowledge base required to perform the work of a licensed practical nurse.

How to Become an LPN in Alaska

Start the process by researching available education programs to find one that suits your schedule and preferences. The next step is to enroll and complete an LPN training program that is approved by the Alaska Board of Nursing. Most LPN programs take roughly one year to finish. Upon successful completion of all course requirements you are eligible to challenge the NCLEX-PN exam. After passing the test you can register with the state of Alaska as a licensed practical nurse and begin searching for employment.