Lpn Programs in Tennessee

Licensed practical nurses (LPN) provide basic medical care to patients and work under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors. LPNs work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, physician's offices, nursing homes, private homes, and extended health care facilities. For prospective nurses in the state of Tennessee, a quicker way to enter the nursing field is to become a LPN. Many community colleges and technical schools offer extensive LPN programs in Tennessee as part of their curriculum, both on campus as well as online.

LPN Programs in Tennessee - Eligibility Criteria
The minimum age requirement to enroll into an accredited LPN programs in Tennessee is 18 years of age. To be eligible to enroll in a LPN program, you must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Most colleges and universities have a LPN entrance exam for admission into the program. This is a general academic skill test. To get more information regarding what the exam may cover, you should check with the school you wish to enroll and its admission requirements and entrance test procedure.

LPN General Curriculum
While the curriculum for LPN programs varies from school to school, a general list of classes for any LPN program may include the following topics:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Intro to Pharmacology
• Contemporary Health Issues Vocational Adjustment
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Anatomy/Physiology
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Maternal Child Health
• Growth and Development.

Besides these courses, students may also be required to take courses in chemistry, biology, emergency medical care, and first aid. Many LPN programs require the students to undergo clinical practice in patient care (under the supervision of senior professionals) as a means of increasing their hands on experience. This experience proves valuable when the students take their NCLEX-PN exam in order to obtain their license.

How to Become a LPN in Tennessee
The following is a list of steps you must complete in order to become a LPN in Tennessee:

• Complete a LPN program: You must obtain the LPN degree after the successful completion of 1 year of schooling and hands on experience.
• Apply for licensure: Once you have successfully obtained a LPN degree, you must apply for licensure with the Tennessee Board of Nursing. It would be advisable to have your school send in your transcript to the Board in advance.
• Get a CPR card (this card is a proof of your life saving knowledge and ability and must be kept safe at all times).
• Pass the NCLEX-PN exam.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) is conducted by the state board under the administration of the National Council of State Boards of Nurses. The exam is computer based, and as the test examinee proceeds through the test, new questions are assigned based on the complexity of those already answered correctly. According to the Tennessee State Board of Nursing, Tennessee licensed LPN's are required by law to renew their licenses every two years. For this, they are required to keep up to date with the various developments in their respective field.