The medical field is growing astronomically despite the current economic downturn. Certification as a Practical Nurse (LPN) is a good choice in a career field that is stable and in high demand. Average salary in Utah for an LPN is $59,296 per year in 2024. Wages can vary depending on your exact location and years of experience. Those individuals seeking a career as an LPN in Utah have many resources available to guide them through the necessary steps.[contentblock id=28]
Entering an approved LPN program typically requires a high school diploma or GED, a background check, testing for contagious diseases and sometimes the school’s specific entrance exam. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) provides a complete list of all approved LPN programs and can answer many questions you might have about nursing requirements in the state of Utah. Students can expect to spend about one year completing courses which cover patient care, medical billing, ethics and law regarding health information, basic first aid and CPR, anatomy and general patient health. Courses consist of classroom portions and labs which provide hands on training with real patients.
During the final semester of an LPN program students should make contact with the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). This agency approves and monitors all nursing licenses in the state of Utah. Candidates will need to obtain an application, complete the application and submit all required documents and fees. Required documents include three sets of completed fingerprint cards, unless you opt to submit the application directly to DOPL in person and have your fingerprints recorded electronically when you submit the application. The fee for the license is listed on the application (currently $100). Upon graduation students must have an official transcript mailed to DOPL. Once DOPL authorizes the individual to test for the state practical nursing certification exam the candidate will be notified by mail and can register for the exam (currently $200). After passing the exam the new LPN will have their practical nursing license mailed to them shortly thereafter.
Now that you are a certified LPN what can you do? An LPN assists doctors with a variety of tasks. LPNs prepare and file patient records. They conduct simple diagnostic tests and bathe patients. While a hospital is the typical setting for an LPN, they can also work in a private doctor’s office or at a local department of health. Some other places of employment for LPNs to consider are nursing homes, in-home hospice care, assisted living facilities and group homes. There are many specialized opportunities available in mental health, and disabilities and special needs programs as well.
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List of LPN Programs in Utah (UT)
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Utah LPN Schools
Our directory lists all Utah schools that currently offer approved practical nursing programs. The Utah 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 Utah
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 Utah
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 Utah 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 Utah as a licensed practical nurse and begin searching for employment.
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