The week of October 4th through 10th is National LPN Recognition Week, a time when we can pause and recognize all of the hard working LPNs/LVNs out there dedicated to providing excellent patient care. Licensed Practical Nurses (or Licensed Vocational Nurses, as they are commonly referred to in some parts of the country), play a vital role in today’s healthcare system.
National LPN/LVN Recognition Week
While many may immediately think of Doctors and RNs in terms of helping us feel better, LPNs also play an important role and when they are members of a healthcare team treating us, they are often the ones providing direct patient care and patient education. LPNs work in a variety of healthcare settings and can work with patients of various ages from newborns to geriatric. This week as we celebrate National LPN/LVN Recognition Week, we want to give a special shout out to all of the students, graduates and staff of the Practical Nursing program at Dorsey Schools and thank them for their efforts and contributions to the larger healthcare community!
Career Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses
Practical Nurses work under the direction and supervision of a Physician or a Registered Nurse to provide effective patient care, assist with patient education, manage team nursing patient care delivery, and supervise unlicensed assistive personnel.
Practical Nurses can be found working in various settings including nursing homes, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, hospitals, and in private homes. Most LPNs work full-time and may be expected to work non-traditional hours such as nights, weekends, and holidays since medical care is needed around the clock. As the “baby-boom” population ages, there is an anticipated increase in the need for healthcare services in general. It’s no surprise that this includes the need for skilled Practical Nurses. In fact, according to the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 25% from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.
The Practical Nurse Program at Dorsey Schools
The Practical Nurse program offered at Dorsey Schools strives to prepare students for a successful career as a practical nurse. The training in the program is designed to challenge students to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills while understanding the legal, ethical, moral, and cultural issues associated with today’s healthcare communities.
Training in the Practical Nurse program offered at Dorsey Schools includes both a classroom and a clinical component. Training that takes place in the clinical setting provides real-life scenarios where there are opportunities for students to apply knowledge obtained from their classes into practice. Students enrolled in the Practical Nurse training program are placed in a variety of clinical settings, which provides a wide range of experiences with diverse populations, organizations, and agencies.
The Practical Nurse program at Dorsey Schools is offered at the Madison, Heights, MI campus. The Practical Nurse program at Dorsey Schools is growing and expects to admit over 160 new students in 2016. To learn more about the Practical Nurse program at the Madison Heights, MI campus of Dorsey Schools, you can click here, contact us, or call the Madison Heights, MI campus directly at (248) 588-9660.
Training in the Dorsey Schools Practical Nurse program includes classes in the following:
- Medical Terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Practical Nursing Fundamentals
- Practical Nursing Health Assessment
- Pharmacology & Medication Delivery
- Geriatric Nursing
- Medical/Surgical Nursing
- Maternal/Newborn Nursing
- Pediatric Nursing
- Mental Health Concepts
- Professionalism in Nursing
- …and more!
Upon successful completion of the Practical Nurse program at Dorsey Schools and once a graduate has successfully met all of the requirements for graduation, they will receive a certificate in Practical Nursing and be eligible to site for the NCLEX-PN® examination. It’s very important to note that licensure as a Practical Nurse is required for employment in this field. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program are encouraged to challenge the NCLEX-PN® examination in order to become licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the State of Michigan (upon successful completion of the exam and licensing requirements).
If you believe a career as a Practical Nurse may be right for you, and you want to learn more about the Practical Nurse training program offered at Dorsey Schools, contact us today!
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the programs, and other important information, please visit our website at https://www.dorsey.edu/disclosures/.
