Medical Training

An important aspect of LPN training is maternal-child education.  Although many acute hospital units that care for pregnant women i.e. prenatal units do not employ the LPN the understanding of the origin of human life is an essential component of LPN education.  The curriculum generally includes the following:  basic biological principals of the symphony of hormones necessary for conception to take place, the conditions of embryo and fetal gestational growth, complications of pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum, the newborn as well as contraceptives.

The role of the LPN during the perinatal period in various health care settings depends mostly on the nursing scope of practice for that state.  Maternal-child health presents many risk factors that require specific assessment skills that are not included in LPN didactic education or skill set training.  In view of that fact the LPN can provide some basic nutritional guidelines, recommended weight gain  education as well as contraceptive alternatives to the expectant families, family planning clinics, physician offices and public health agencies many welcome the LPN as a valued staff member.  Sexually transmitted disease education is often a role for the LPN and some LPN’s have completed certification programs that allow the classification of specialist to be designated following their license initials.

Nursing jobs relate to patient care in many ways, including care for people who are disabled, convalescent, sick or injured.LPN’s, like all nurses, work with patients who may be anxious, so an effective nurse usually has an empathetic , caring attitude.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an LPN needs to have an even temperament so that he or she can stay calm in stressful situations.  In addition, LPN’s must be observant and have strong communication and decision making skills.If you are considering a career in nursing, but you wish you could be working right now?  Training to be a licensed practical nurse is the closest you can get and still be a nurse.  Most LPN training programs take 1 to 2 years to complete.   After that, you take a national licensing exam and get a license in your state.  You are then ready to get a job as a real nurse.

LPN’s are the most hands on nurses.  They work closely with patients, implementing plans the doctors and registered nurses have made.  LPN’s carry out orders, but will also watch their patients closely, and write down and report everything about their patients condition.  It is the is the licensed practical nurse who bathes the patient, changes their surgical dressings, help thme to the bathroom, and help feed them if needed, as well as making sure oxygen therapy is working and intravenous lines are running.  They have been called “angels in confortable shoes.”

-by Leora Bar-Din

Vocational nursing programs prepare students to work as LVN’s (Licensed Vocational Nurses.)  An LPN school (LPN training or LPN program) is the same as LVN school (LVN training or LVN program).  The only difference is the state in which you practice.  In California and Texas, these nurses are called licensed vocational nurses or LVN’s.   In all other states they are called licensed practical nurses or LPN’s.

Current Module 1 students—LVN students in Group 13 (AM class) and Group 14 (PM class) are on a steep learning curve.  They have made the transition from the two-day per week LVN prerequisite class to a five-day per week LVN program.  Students have begun to successfully readjust their lives to make room for this program and the time, study and focus it requires.  LVN students in Module 1 are studying Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Nutrition, Clinical Lab and Fundamentals of Nursing.  All classes are one day per week except Fundamentals of Nursing, which is two days per week.  Anatomy and Physiology is straight-ahead science, and memorization works well as a method of study.  Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Nutrition expose LVN students to the way nurses problem-solve: critical thinking.   Recognizing and practicing critical thinking is an intellectually stimulating endeavor!

Current Module 3 students—LVN students in Groups 11 (AM class) and Group 12 (PM class) study Medical Surgical Nursing two-days per week, Pharmacology one-day per week and spend two-days per week at their clinical internship site.  They are studying in depth about each client on the clinical floor, as well as practicing and demonstrating their proficiency in nursing skills and procedures.   Critical thinking is a part of everything these LVN students do, and they are demonstrating increased proficiency in creative problem solving.

Interested in LPN Training?  Learn more about Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

If you have been searching for LPN programs in California, you may have discovered that California is one of two states which uses the term LVN instead of LPN.  LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse vs. Licensed Practical Nurse.  Many LPN programs and LPN schools require both theory and hands-on-training.

The LPN or LVN is a licensed nurse with very similar skills and knowledge of the RN or Registered Nurse.   You can become an LPN or LPN much faster, and can begin your training right out of high-school and without as many pre-requisite classes as RN.  LPNs and LVNs have very satisfying careers and many continue on to pursue their RN and many receive advanced standing in RN programs.

The LPN or LVN is often working in clinics, out-patient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and in education.  Areas that the LVN is often utilized, is in medication administration, wound care management, and hospice.  Some people think nursing only involves blood and guts, but nursing has so many different career paths, that nursing involves not only caring for the sick, but providing education to healthy people who want to stay healthy such as in wellness checks, prenatal care, and health education.  There is almost always a specialty area that an LVN can be utilized in, including psychiatric hospitals, pediatric clinics, and even OB/GYN offices.