Accredited Lpn Schools in New Jersey

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) provide basic health care to patients. They work under the direct supervision of registered nurses and doctors. Their work environment may include settings such as nursing homes, extended care facilities, hospitals, offices and private homes.

LPN Schools In New Jersey
In the state of New Jersey, healthcare is one of the fastest growing sectors. The state offers significant number of career opportunities in the nursing field.  Practical nursing program is the fastest route to becoming a nurse in the state of New Jersey. According to lpn.com, LPNs constitute about 17% of nurses in the state. The scope of LPNs in New Jersey is largely in development and usually follows the nurse scope of practice act in New Jersey. There are a number of accredited LPN schools in New Jersey that offer both campus-based and online programs. Accreditation means that the programs offered by these schools are state approved and reviewed by New Jersey Board of Nursing.

Program Requirements
Accredited LPN schools in New Jersey may require a minimum age of 18 years in order to enroll in the program. Also, usually a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Many colleges may also take an LPN entrance exam in order to test academic skills of the candidates. These requirements are typical for many schools. However, for confirmations please consult the admissions office of the school you wish to enroll in, as each college may have its own requirement.

Curriculum
The detailed coursework of LPN program may vary from one school to another, but it generally includes the following topics:

• Human anatomy and physiology;
• Fundamentals of Nursing;
• Nursing Practicum;
• Pharmacology;
• Adult Nursing;
• Mental Health Nursing;
• Maternal Nursing;
• Pediatric Nursing;
• Growth and Development; and
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy

How To Become An LPN In New Jersey
Following is the list of steps candidates should follow in order to become a LPN in New Jersey:

• Successfully complete the LPN program: candidates must obtain an LPN degree. The degree should be from an accredited LPN school. The program may take between one to two years to complete.
• Obtain licensure: After completion of the LPN degree, candidates should apply for licensure with New Jersey Board of Nursing. They may request their school to send their transcripts to the board in advance.
• Pass the Criminal History Background Check Clearance.
• Obtain a CPR card, which is a proof of candidate's life saving knowledge and ability and must be kept safe, all the time.
• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

The NCLEX-PN, also referred to as PN licensure exam, is administered by the state board under the supervision of the National Council of State Boards of Nurses. The exam is five hours long and is computer assisted, which means the content is specially generated for each exam.  The exam content may be intricate, as it is based upon the requirements of clients as maintained in studies and examined by the National Council of State Boards of Nurses. Lastly, please note that the LPN licenses need a periodic renewal. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS), the median annual wage of LPNs was $41,540 in 2012.