Practical Nursing

What does a Licensed Practical Nurse do?

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. LPNs work under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. LPNs care for patients in many ways. Often, they provide basic bedside care. Many LPNs measure and record patients' vital signs such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, dress wounds, and give alcohol rubs and massages. To help keep patients comfortable, they assist with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, moving in bed, standing, and walking. They may also feed patients who need help eating. Experienced LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.

Are Licensed Practical Nurses in demand?

Absolutely, practical nurses are in high demand! And we have even greater news for you. Azure College has one of the most active job placement departments in the industry. We will help you locate work opportunities before graduation. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), www.bls.gov, employment of LPNs is expected to grow by 21% through 2018. This is a much faster rate of growth than the average growth for all other occupations. And the increase in demand for healthcare services will be helped by the response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population.

Where can I expect to work?

Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses held nearly 753,600 jobs in 2008. Nearly 25% of LPNs worked in hospitals, 28% in nursing care facilities, and 12%  worked in physicians’ offices. Other nurses worked for home healthcare services, employment services, residential care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly, outpatient care centers, and government agencies at the Federal, State, and local levels.

How soon can I complete this training?

You can complete this program in eleven (11)* months, and the program consists of:

Part time option is also available; please see your admission advisor.

Class Hours

Which skills will I learn?

Azure College’s 11-month-long practical nursing program includes classroom study, simulation labs experience, and supervised clinical practice, providing patient care. Classroom study covers basic nursing concepts and subjects related to patient care, including anatomy, physiology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics nursing, pharmacology, nutrition, and first aid. Clinical externships allow students to work in hospital, nursing homes, long-term care facilities and other settings.

How much will this program cost me?

We know the answer to this question is very important to most of you. However, our program costs may change slightly with each new session. Because of this, we are unable to provide cost information on through this medium. We prefer to discuss our current program costs with you personally. Please give us a call at your convenience and ask to speak to an admission advisor.

Will I receive any special certificates of my qualifications?
Upon success completion of our program, students receive an Azure College Diploma and a CPR Certification.

Licensure

The Florida State Board of Nursing has approved Azure College’s Practical Nursing program. Upon completion of this program, graduates are eligible to apply to the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) for examination. Final determination of the applicant’s ability to sit for the licensing examination, become licensed and to practice in Florida is made by the Board of Nursing. Azure College cannot ensure licensure

Information Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition
Florida Commission for independent Education
Florida Workforce system
Florida Board of Nursing