Education Required for Licensed Practical Nurses

Those who wish to attend nursing school need to hold a high school diploma and/or GED to gain admittance to an LPN program. Upon acceptance into the LPN program you will be taking a lot of science courses that are required to fulfill the education requirements to be an LPN.

Coursework in the First Semester

These are classes taken the first semester: Fundamentals of Nursing I, Pharmocology I, Anatomy and Physiology I and Medical Terminology I.

Coursework for LPNs' Second Semester

Second semester classes include Fundamentals of Nursing II, Pharmacology II, Medical Terminology II, and Anatomy and Physiology II.

Coursework for the Third Semester

These are the classes taken third semester: Fundamentals of Nursing III, Beginning and Advanced First Aid and Life Support, Obstetrics, Pediatric Care, Gerontology, Advanced Patient Care, and Professional Standards and Conduct.

Coursework for the Fourth Semester

This is generally the last semester, where advanced classes will be taken, such as Advanced Patient Care, Medical Specialties and Fundamentals of Nursing IV.

Clinical Experience

LPNs are required to fulfill so many hours of their education in laboratory hours or clinical hours, based on the state of residence. Each state has its own required hours for LPN students to fulfill their clinical part of the required education to be an LPN.

Completion of Education to be an LPN

After completion of coursework leading to an Associate's degree is complete, the licensing test known as the NCLEX-PN exam must be passed before becoming an LPN.

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