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Career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in North Carolina In today’s economy, jobs in the field of health care and nursing are in relatively high demand. While many sectors of the economy are shrinking and down-sizing, health care is growing. This trend is predicted to continue for years to come as millions of baby boomers enter retirement and our nation’s health care needs increase.
There are numerous schools that offer LPN programs in North Carolina, including the Medical Careers Institute in Raleigh, and the ECPI College of Technology with campuses in Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte. There are also schools in Asheville, Jacksonville, Sanford, Jamestown, Marion, Shelby, Roxboro, Clinton, Henderson, and many more North Carolina cities. Being an LPN affords the individual many choices in where they work. Practical nurses can find employment in hospitals, senior living facilities, hospices, home care, veteran centers, or private doctors’ offices. Almost ever city has at least one of the above mentioned facilities. LPNs also enjoy the benefits of working with nearly every population: children in pediatrics, elderly in geriatrics, veterans, adults, and even emergency room patients, or patients with specific injuries or illnesses. The average salary for an LPN practicing in North Carolina is around $45,000 per year. Salary can vary depending on experience, place of employment, and actual position and job duties. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, there are a handful of different advancement options within the same field. Once you have been working for some time, you can always use your experience, knowledge, and skills to go back to school or seek advancement opportunities within your current place of employment. You can manage other LPNs or work more closely with certain doctors or departments in your place of work. Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse is an excellent way to increase job stability and security and still have a career that will feel personally rewarding. List of LPN Programs in North Carolina (NC)
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North Carolina LPN SchoolsOur directory lists all North Carolina schools that currently offer approved practical nursing programs. The North Carolina 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 North CarolinaThe 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 North CarolinaStart 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina as a licensed practical nurse and begin searching for employment. Taking the NCLEX-PN Exam in North CarolinaWhen it comes time to challenge the practical nursing license exam it is advisable to prepare for the exam with a self-study program or classroom prep course. Knowing what to expect on the actual test and completing practice questions can increase your chances of passing. When you feel ready to take the test, apply for your practical nursing license with the North Carolina state board of nursing and register with Pearson VUE. There is a $200 fee required in order to register for the exam. The next step is to wait until you receive confirmation of your Authorization to Test (ATT). Once you receive your ATT you can schedule your NCLEX exam with Pearson VUE at a nearby testing center. LPN Quick Reference Links North Carolina Board of Nursing
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