| According to the American Hospital Association | | | | LPN's can provide more than simple bedside care, |
| (AHA), in the spring of 2001 there were 126,000 unfilled | | | | often responsible for taking a patient's temperature, |
| registered nurse positions. The International Council of | | | | blood pressure, pulse and more. Depending on hospital |
| Nurses (ICN) compiled the following statistics: | | | | policies an LPN may be responsible for preparing and |
| The Netherlands predicted a shortage of 7000 nurses | | | | administering injections, monitoring catheters, and of |
| in 2002. Canada will require 10,000 nursing graduates | | | | course bringing a good dose of compassion to |
| every year continuing through 2011. England reports | | | | someone in need of a smiling face. Obviously as an |
| approximately 22,000 unfilled positions in March of | | | | LPN becomes more experienced, they may become |
| 2000. | | | | teachers in their own right, supervising nurse's |
| Without a doubt, there is a global nursing shortage with | | | | assistants and orderlies. |
| updated statistics stating that over 1.5 million nurses will | | | | LPNs can potentially begin their careers in as little as 12 |
| be needed by the year 2020. If you're interested in | | | | months from the time they begin training, with some |
| nursing this is a career choice with almost guaranteed | | | | curriculums available completely online. Their training |
| job assurance, however often there are more | | | | can be tailored to an individual's schedule, since it's |
| prospective students than available classes. | | | | realized many perspective LPNs work 9-to-5 jobs and |
| None of these prospective nurses can gain their | | | | have life responsibilities. |
| credentials, without qualified nurse educators and an | | | | While you may aspire to become an R.N., or nurse |
| open classroom. Without them, many of these young | | | | practitioner, becoming an LPN can provide valuable |
| men and women will be unable to fulfill their career | | | | training, allow you to earn a good living, and be |
| choice. Based on that, becoming a licensed practical | | | | beneficial if you pursue advanced nursing degrees. An |
| nurse (LPN) is an ideal alternative and could be the first | | | | added bonus in some cases (these are decided |
| step in your in your medical education. | | | | case-by-case) is your employer may pay all or a part |
| NOTE: LPNs (licensed practical nurses) are called | | | | of your tuition for your advanced education. |
| LVNs (licensed vocational nurses in Texas. | | | | Becoming an LPN allows you to care for patients the |
| The qualifications to become an LPN are not as | | | | same as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner, the |
| stringent as becoming a Registered Nurse or Nurse | | | | difference being you'd work under their supervision. |
| Practitioner, with licensing (to qualified students) after | | | | Other than that you'll be in the same high tech, often |
| only 9 to 12 months of training in a quality community | | | | high pressure world of medicine. |
| college or career school. If you aspire to a career in | | | | According to the 2006 United States Census Bureau, |
| the medical profession, choosing to become an LPN | | | | registered nurses earn approximately $15,000 more |
| could be a crucial career choice. | | | | per year than an LPN, that's certainly a consideration, |
| If you've wondered how to become an LPN, you've | | | | but realize becoming an LPN does not hinder you from |
| taken a step in the right direction by reading this article. | | | | becoming a registered nurse or nurse practitioner later. |
| LPN's work under the supervision of a Registered | | | | In fact, your IPN experience will provide a more |
| Nurse, becoming an integral part of the nursing team | | | | enhanced resume. |
| and performing crucial patient related tasks. | | | | |