Practical nursing students train to help doctors and registered nurses
care for patients. The program will prepare you for a career in a variety
of health-care settings.
This program may also be called licensed practical nursing or licensed
vocational nursing.
A typical practical nursing program lasts around a year, and is available
at community colleges. Graduates are expected to write a registration
exam for licensing.
How do you know if you've got what it takes? A typical student is someone
who has a natural desire to help people and has a sympathetic, caring nature.
But you also need an aptitude for science, especially biology and chemistry.
Donna Davidson, an instructor at a community college, says they look for students
who have a Grade 12 diploma or equivalent, or "mature student status."
Alice McCutcheon, a nurse who teaches at the Tennessee Technology Center
in Paris, Tennessee, adds that a student should have good reading and mathematical
abilities. "And they should have the ability to follow instructions."
A typical student day consists of both classroom learning and hands-on
practical placements. Students should be prepared to be very busy, as
they are learning a vast amount of information in only a year. Studying
and group assignments take up a lot of your time.
After graduation, you will need to pass a licensing exam. That will enable
you to work as a licensed practical nurse. You could find yourself working
in a variety of settings, from a hospital emergency ward to a home for senior
citizens.
You can also take additional training in order to specialize in a particular
area of nursing, such as pediatrics or emergency room nursing.
There are things you can do in high school to prepare. "Working as hospital
or nursing home volunteers could be helpful in acquainting [you] with
the medical profession," says McCutcheon.
Davidson agrees. She adds that being involved with "sports involving teamwork,
volunteering with a hospital or community health agencies" is of great value
to a high school student considering practical nursing. It also gives you
an edge over other applicants when you're trying to get into a program.
Besides tuition and books, there are some extra costs in this course --
you have to buy uniforms, for example.
Links
Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Licensed
Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
CyberNurse
A well-organized site for aspiring nurses
Allnurses.com
Nursing news and discussions
ChooseNursing.com
Frequently asked questions about the nursing profession