5 Reasons to Consider Becoming A Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) are an integral part of any healthcare team, whether they’re working in a hospital, long-term care facility, or clinic. Direct patient care is the top responsibility for LPNs. They provide much-needed balance to the administrative side of the healthcare system, which can limit a registered nurse’s or physician’s time with patients.

Some people may say that pursuing a 4-year degree and becoming a registered nurse is a better path to career success, but in truth, licensed practical nursing can be a more logical and attractive choice for many who are looking to enter the field.

1. A QUICKER PATH TO EMPLOYMENT

Compass Career College offers a fully-accredited Licensed Professional Nursing program that can be completed in 18 months. This means that CCC students can finish their training, obtain their license, and begin drawing a paycheck up two and a half years earlier than a student pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at a different institution. For nursing students who can’t wait four years to begin earning a living, a high-quality LPN program can be a lifesaver.

2. FEWER EXPENSES RELATED TO TRAINING

Getting a four-year degree can be very expensive. Shorter training programs translate to lower up-front costs for the student. Even if LPN students must take out student loans to offset tuition and supply fees, they generally have to borrow less and can begin paying loans back sooner than students enrolled in four-year programs.

3. MORE INTERACTION WITH PATIENTS

If you’re the type of person who prefers to provide direct patient care, you might be happier working as a licensed practical nurse rather than a registered nurse. RNs are often responsible for more administrative tasks, and as such they may not have as many opportunities to spend time with patients during a shift. LPNs, on the other hand, primarily perform tasks that allow them to spend more time at the patient’s bedside.

4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIALIZATION AND ADVANCEMENT

LPNs can choose to become certified in certain areas of practice where they may find they have a special interest, such as gerontology, IV therapy, long-term care, or pharmacology. (Attending a school that offers many different approaches to LPN training, as Compass Career College does, can help students identify areas of interest even before they graduate.) LPNs may also move into a supervisory role as they gain experience, overseeing teams of other LPNs or nursing assistants. If they desire to pursue training as a registered nurse later on, they have a solid foundation to do so. Some employers may even provide financial incentives or other types of assistance to help RN training more attainable for LPNs than it may have been otherwise.

5. STRONG EARNINGS POTENTIAL AND PROJECTED JOB GROWTH

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that the number of jobs available for LPNs in the United States would increase by 16% between 2014 and 2020. Nationwide, the BLS also estimates that the median salary—meaning that half make more, and half make less—for LPNs who work full-time is about $44,000. (This amount can vary significantly based on experience, area of the country, and employment setting, however.)

If you’re in the Hammond or Greater New Orleans area, perhaps the most important point to note is that LPNs who graduate from Compass Career College also enjoy the distinct advantage of their program’s high standards and stellar reputation. The most recent graduating class at CCC, in fact, had a 100% pass rate for the national licensure exam, as well as a 100% job placement rate before they had even graduated.

Licensed Practical Nursing is a great career choice, but not all LPN programs are created equal. Entrusting your education to Compass Career College can ensure you the best chance of success in a very rewarding and dynamic field.