If you’re interested in a career in health care and want to start relatively quickly, becoming an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) might be the right path for you. Practical nurses offer direct patient care, dispense medications, and generally assist other members of the medical care team, from nurses to physicians. At the Institute of Medical and Business Careers (IMBC), our LPN program is designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to start a lifelong dive into careers in health care.
Within the field of nursing, there are several different roles, which vary in the level of training they receive and their scope of practice (the types of care that they are allowed to give patients).
At one end of the spectrum are Nursing Assistants (CNAs). The training to get certified as a CNA can take as little as 12 weeks, but the scope of practice is quite limited, and CNAs generally receive lower compensation.
Licensed Practical Nurses are a step up from CNAs, with a scope of practice that includes more direct patient care duties like administering medications and assisting physicians with procedures. The training process for an LPN typically takes one to two years.
Nurses who want to advance in their careers might choose to become Registered Nurses (RNs). Often, this involves completing an LPN to RN “bridge” program and getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Finally, Nurse Practitioners can do much of the same work as a primary care physician, but becoming one requires a master’s degree.
Practical nurses serve on the front lines of patient care in hospitals, long-term care facilities and doctors’ offices. They’re the hands-on caregivers that many patients interact with most frequently, and they often spend the most time on bedside care.
Duties of practical nurses often include:
Becoming an LPN can be a smart and rewarding career decision, especially for those looking to enter the medical field quickly. LPNs enjoy solid job prospects, meaningful work, and competitive salaries—all with a relatively short training period. Completing an LPN program lets you launch a career in healthcare without investing 4, 6, or even 8 years into pre-licensure education.
For those with long-term goals, practical nursing can also be a stepping stone toward advanced roles. Many LPNs go on to become RNs or pursue specializations in areas like pediatrics or geriatrics.
To launch your career as a practical nurse, you’ll need to complete a state-approved LPN program, like the one offered at IMBC. Our program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience, and gives you an Associate’s in Specialized Technology degree so that you’re prepared for direct entry into the workforce or to continue your education. After graduating, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the national licensing exam required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Enroll in the IMBC Practical Nursing program and start your journey toward a stable career in health care with lots of growth potential.
