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Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) work under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses in many health care settings including doctors' offices, hospitals, clinics, schools, public health agencies and nursing homes. Their nursing tasks will vary depending on place of employment. Generally, an LPNs responsibility requires more scientific knowledge and higher skill levels than the nurse assistant, but less than the registered nurse.
| Some of their responsibilities might include: |
| • | Giving injection |
| • | Changing dressings |
| • | Measuring blood pressure |
| • | Taking temperature, pulse and respiration rates |
| • | Recording and charting information |
| • | Administering prescribed medications |
| • | Participating in various diagnostic and treatment procedures |
| • | Assisting in the planning, implementation and evaluation of nursing care plans |
| • | Providing emotional support for patient and family |
They also administer enemas and douches, carry out catheterization, and may perform routine laboratory procedures such as urinalysis. They answer patients' calls, observe patients, and report any changes of condition to supervisory staff on duty. They supply patients with ice bags and hot water bottles and give massages or alcohol rubs as directed. They sometimes make beds and clean rooms. LPNs work in various patient care areas including surgical nursing, intensive care, labor and delivery, pediatrics, emergency and recovery rooms.
Job Outlook
As the health care industry continues to assess its delivery of patient care and find support vehicles for registered nurses, LPN positions will be utilized.
Educational Requirements
To become an LPN, individuals must complete an accredited LPN program. Education is usually based in a hospital, secondary area vocational center or community college, combining academic study with clinical experience. The length of training period for LPNs is twelve to eighteen months. For acceptance into a program, a high school diploma or equivalent and, in some cases, a passing grade in reading and math or a written examination is needed.
To practice nursing, LPNs must be licensed by the state in which they are planning to work. Licensure is granted to graduates after passing the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses.
Educational Programs - Chicago Area
Chicago Public Schools High School LPN Program / Crane High School
2245 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60612
(773) 534-7064
(Program for High School Students Only)
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Chicago State University
95th @ King Drive
Chicago, IL 60628
(773) 995-2517
(Also Offers LPN to BSN Program)
http://www.csu.edu/
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Dawson Technical Institute
3901 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60609
(773) 451-2061
http://kennedyking.ccc.edu/dawson/
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Elgin Community College
1700 Spartan Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 697-1000
http://www.elgin.cc.il.us/
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*Humboldt Park Vocational Center
1645 N. California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 489-8989
http://www.cnln.cps.k12.il.us/c_humboldt.html
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Joliet Township High School Practical Nursing Program
201 E. Jefferson Street
Joliet, IL 60432
(815) 727-6885
(Program for High School Students Only)
http://www.jths.org/
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Kankakee Community College
P. O. Box 888
River Road
Kankakee, IL 60901
(815) 802-8100
http://www.kcc.cc.il.us/
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Morton College
3801 South Central Avenue
Cicero, IL 60804
(708) 656-8000
http://www.morton.edu
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Oakton Community College
1600 East Golf Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 635-1600
http://www.oakton.edu/
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South Suburban College
15800 South State
South Holland, IL 60473
(708) 210-5718
http://www.ssc.cc.il.us/
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Triton College
2000 North 5th Avenue
River Grove, IL 60171
(708) 456-0300
http://www.triton.edu/index/indexf.php
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Wm. Rainey Harper College
1200 West Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 925-6000
http://www.harpercollege.edu/
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