As an LPN nurse (licensed practical nurse or LVN – a licensed vocational nurse in some states), you’ll hold one of the most coveted jobs within just 3 – 4 years from now since statisticians predict a peaking nursing shortage around 2013 or 2014. While that’s unfortunate economic news, it provides a valley of opportunities at the same time. Here’s why.

Growth projections for LPNs place the number of estimated working LPNs at 854,000 by 2016. The average salary is projected to reside between $30,000 and $46,000 a year as well. At a time when the current nursing shortage will make its biggest impact ever, becoming a LPN couldn’t be more time-appropriate.

If you don’t believe us, read our article entitled, “The Nursing Shortage,” where you’ll not only find real-world news reports of this nursing shortage in action, you’ll get a deep sense of just how important the LPN nurse will be in just a few short years.

What to Expect From an LPN Program

A LPN degree prepares you for caring for the sick, injured, disabled, and recovering patient. Working environments include home health care services, hospitals, nursing care facilities, and physicians’ offices. And within those environments, LPNs take vital signs, collect patient health histories, prepare and administer shots, and assist with hygiene.

They additionally collect blood samples, perform lab tests, help care for newborns, and supervise nursing assistants.

(Nurses interested in expanding their careers beyond the LPN degree may delight in learning about LPN to RN or LPN to BSN programs.)

Becoming an LPN Nurse

As an LPN nursing student, you’ll complete your program in about a year. To qualify for a nursing license however, you’ll need to (1) attend an LPN nursing program approved by your state’s Board of Nursing and (2) pass the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination). The NCLEX exam tests the basic understanding of nursing practice and knowledge.

Information regarding the NCLEX can be found in our articles entitled, “Understanding the NCLEX” and “Passing the NCLEX Test.”

The key to understanding the importance of the LPN is by asking how its absence affects the health community. After taking a look at the news reports mentioned above, you’ll gain that understanding rather quickly. Enroll in an online LPN nursing program today and play a comprehensive part in the progress of this nation’s health care reform.