Requirements for the Certification Exam for an LPN
Upon completion of the requirements for the certification exam for a Licensed Practical Nurse (and after passing the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX), an LPN is qualified to perform many essential duties and tasks under the supervision of doctors and nurses. These can include administering injections, providing basic care, performing various health care-related tasks, and in some states, administering intravenous fluids and caring for patients who are dependent upon ventilators.
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The NCLEX
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The NCLEX is a test that all LPN candidates must successfully pass in order to become certified. The exam is made up of four sections:
1. Health Promotion and Maintenance
2. Safe and Effective Care Environment
3. Physiological Integrity
4. Psychosocial Integrity
Education
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When it comes to the NCLEX, completion of a state-approved LPN training program is the first step. Remember that each state has slightly different requirements when it comes to both LPN certification and approval of LPN training programs, so check with the licensing board in your state before you decide on a course to enroll in.
Additional educational requirements may include:
• Successful completion of basic math and science courses
• Intermediate-level biology and anatomy courses
• A high school diploma (some, but not all, programs require this, including some programs offered at the high-school level) -
Clinical Experience
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While the actual NCLEX exam consists of a series of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, hands-on experience in the field is necessary to pass the exam. If you enroll in an LPN training program, you will likely receive this experience as part of the course. Depending on your program, you may also have the option to participate in additional clinicals to earn more experience.
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References
- Photo Credit nurse chris image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
