What Basic Nursing Education Is Required for an LPN?
The initials LPN stand for Licensed Practical Nurse. Licensed Practical Nurses are health care professionals who care for patients in many varied health care settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. An LPN is typically responsible for taking vital signs and assisting patients who are recovering from medical procedures such as surgery perform basic daily tasks. In order to become an LPN you must complete between 9 and 18 months of higher education classes.
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Biology and Anatomy
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LPNs must complete courses in biology and anatomy. An understanding of fundamental biological processes as well as basic human anatomy is vital in order to perform many on-the-job duties required of an LPN. LPNs need to understand exactly where a patient indicates hurt so they can accurate report this fact to other health care providers.
Psychology
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An LPN is required to take classes in human psychology. Psychology classes help the LPN understand the motivations of her patients. Such classes also help provide her with strategies to enable her to care for patients more effectively and address their concerns directly in an understanding manner.
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Emergency Medical Technology
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Most LPNs must take classes in the use of emergency medical technology. Classes center around using technology such as ventilators appropriately and working with patients who are in the middle of a health care crisis.
First Aid
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A course in first aid is essential for an LPN. First aid is a series of medical practices. Such practices are designed to address the needs of patients facing a health care emergency. First aid techniques are used to immediately relieve pain, stop bleeding, revive patients who are having difficulties with breathing or respiration and help patients in the middle of a seizure. Students are taught techniques such as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and administration of medication to patients during a health care emergency.
Proper Nutrition
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Many LPN certification programs require candidates to study materials about proper dietary habits. Students are taught how to construct nutritionally sound meals as well as how to work with patients who may specific dietary needs such as meals that are free from gluten. Such classes are useful to LPNs because an LPN is very often required to work with patients who have such dietary requirements in nursing homes and on hospital wards. A nurse with a fund of such information can help her patients make better eating choices.
Supervised Clinical Practice
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After an LPN has completed most of her educational requirements she is required by most nursing programs to perform a term of actual clinical practice in a hospital setting. During this term the LPN will work with patients directly under the supervision of a nursing instructor. Candidates learn how to respond to patient needs as well as how to participate in the diagnostic process.
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