A diploma program can provide an aspiring
licensed practical nurse (LPN) with the necessary training for a
relatively small commitment of time and money compared to degree
programs. Several schools offer such diploma programs entirely online.
Learning what to expect from an online LPN program can help potential
enrollees choose a credible, viable school.
Overview of an Online Diploma Program for Practical Nursing
An online diploma program for practical nursing explains fundamental
medical concepts and provides training for the direct care of patients.
Courses touch upon anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, obstetrics,
pediatrics and geriatrics. Students learn to take vital signs, provide
alcohol rubs, monitor catheters and transport the ill and injured; they
also learn to feed, dress and bath patients. Applicants need to have
graduated from high school or passed a GED exam. Certificate programs in
this field offer a similar curriculum and can also be completed in
about one year through the Web.
Online programs for prospective licensed practical nurses require a
significant amount of hands-on clinical work; therefore, they combine
both online and traditional instruction. Internet-based courses have the
same content as traditional courses; students access online content at
their convenience, but do have to submit finished assignments by a
deadline. Experiential segments may need to be completed at an assigned
campus during predetermined dates or through an approved, supervised
practicum local to the student.
A personal computer with productivity software such as Microsoft
Office and a reliable Internet connection are required for participation
in an online program. Schools may use proprietary content
management software to deliver course content, or they may employ a commercial system, such as Blackboard.
List of Common Practical Nursing Courses
LPN diploma programs focus entirely on the core subject of nursing.
Courses are divided between at-home assignments and on-site clinical
internships.
Medical Terminology Course
Students learn to recognize and understand common terms referenced in
medicine. They study prefixes, suffixes and root words as well as how
to use medical dictionaries.
Nursing Fundamentals Course
This course surveys basic healthcare concepts and the range of
healthcare interventions that practical nurses encounter. Topics also
address the history of nursing, essential needs of patients, preventive
medicine, nutrition and mental illness.
Pharmacology Course
Drug administration procedures and the effects and side effects of
common pharmaceuticals are the focus of this class. Coursework focuses
on safety standards and drug identification.
Health Concepts Course
This course examines complex concepts relating anatomy and physiology
to healthcare. Fluids and electrolytes, mobility, metabolism and
perfusion are among the topics covered.
Graduates of an online diploma program in practical nursing are
qualified for positions as practical nurses. Nursing homes, outpatient
care centers, clinics and the private offices of physicians are among
the possible employers of LPNs. Hospitals also employ licensed practical
nurses, but have begun moving toward hiring employees with a higher
level of training. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the
employment of licensed practical nurses will increase 21% over the
years 2008-2018. The need for qualified professionals to meet the
increased care needs of an aging population will drive job growth.
Licensed practical nurses earned median salaries of $39,820 as of May
2009 (
www.bls.gov).
To become LPNs, graduates of a nursing diploma program need to pass
the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is
administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Test
preparation resources are available online, but the test itself is not.
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