Online Practical Nursing Courses and Classes

Many courses required in a practical nursing program can be completed online. Coupled with clinical experience, these courses can prepare a student to pass a licensure exam and become a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

Overview of Practical Nursing Courses Available Online

LPNs provide patient care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians in a variety of medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Since hands-on clinical training in the field is generally required, practical nursing programs can't be completed fully online. However, there are many online options to fulfill theoretical requirements. These didactic courses cover topics like medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, patient needs and rights, first-aid and nursing fundamentals. Practical nursing programs usually take a year to complete and lead to certificates or diplomas in practical nursing.
Specific requirements are state-defined, but once an approved practical nursing program has been completed, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Online courses geared toward NCLEX-PN preparation are available, along with opportunities to fulfill continuing education requirements and specialize in specific areas.

Course Requirements

These courses require a computer with Internet access and an updated operating system with adequate memory and storage space. A CD/DVD drive, sound card with speakers, and monitor capable of high-color display are also needed. Word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs are also frequently necessary.

List of Online Practical Nursing Courses

Medical Terminology Course

This course introduces students to the terminology associated with medical concepts, so they can identify and understand these words while working in the healthcare field. Students are oriented to common prefixes, roots and suffixes used in the medical field and learn how breaking down words into their component parts can help in determining meaning. Abbreviations and symbols commonly used in the field are also discussed. Some versions of this course utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint in helping students learn and incorporate terms.

Anatomy and Physiology Course

This course provides an introductory overview of the structure and function of the human body. Students learn how the circulatory, digestive, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, skeletal and urinary systems work both independently and collectively to support human bodily function. Students also consider the complex nature and organization of the human body on a smaller scale as they discuss the mechanisms that make up these systems, including cells, tissues and organs.

Pharmacology Course

Students learn the basic pharmacology principles governing safe and effective therapeutic use of drugs in this course. Included is an overview of drug classifications and equivalencies, therapeutic effects, potential side effects, administration routes and dosage calculations. This course also discusses the importance of educating patients on potential side effects and the accurate administration of medications, as well as how to deal with special issues like non-compliance with drug treatment plans.

Healthcare Education and Promotion

This course discusses the physical, mental, behavioral, cultural and spiritual needs of human beings through the lifespan. Students discuss major developmental milestones and differentiate between mental health and mental illness, as well as adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. The nurse's role in promoting and teaching healthy habits and choices is emphasized throughout. Students consider cultural and social factors impacting health and learn about stress management and risk reduction techniques.

Nursing Skills

This course introduces the skills nurses need in order to provide safe and effective patient care. Students discuss the five major steps that make up the nursing process and take an in-depth look at the scope and limitations of LPN's role in this framework. Specific procedures and standards of care focus on identifying patient needs, taking vitals and recording health information, observing sterilization practices, bandaging and dressing minor wounds.