This week is the start of National Nurses Week, where we celebrate the role that nurses play in delivering the highest level of quality care to each and every patient. National Nurses Week is celebrated every year, beginning May 6th and lasting until May 12th – which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
Since practical nurses are among the most in-demand positions in today’s healthcare field, now is a great time to consider the Practical Nursing program at Dorsey Schools if you wish to begin training for an exciting new career in this field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, the job outlook for licensed practical nurses is expected to grow by 25% from 2012 to 2022, which is much faster than average*. This increase can be attributed to the aging baby boomer generation and the overall increasing need for healthcare services.
What Do Practical Nurses Do?
Working in the practical nursing field can challenging and very rewarding. Licensed practical nurses are responsible for providing basic nursing care, where they work under the direction of doctors and registered nurses. Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Taking vital signs
- Preparing and administering injections
- Collecting samples for testing, patient care
- Assisting with patient education
- Managing team nursing care delivery
- Supervising unlicensed assistive personnel
The Road to Becoming an LPN
Students who successfully graduate from the Dorsey Schools Practical Nursing program will receive a certificate in Practical Nursing. They are then eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. Upon successfully passing the NCLEX-PN exam, each graduate may become licensed as a Practical Nurse, which is required for employment by the State of Michigan.
Work Environment:
Practical nurses work in a large variety of clinical settings that include hospitals, outpatient facilities, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, extended care facilities, private homes and other healthcare facilities. Dorsey Schools teaches the Practical Nursing students in a variety of clinical settings throughout their training, which provides them with a range of experiences in diverse populations, organizations, and agencies.
The Practical Nursing Career Training Program at Dorsey Schools…
Dorsey Schools has recently announced plans to expand its Practical Nurse Training program. At present, this program at Dorsey School currently admits 48 students annually. In 2015, the plan is to admit upwards of 100 students, and 150 by 2016. For more information, please visit the Practical Nurse program page, or call us at 1-888-422-1188 to learn more!
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.php.
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm (visited April 28, 2015).
