LPN Training Programs in Kentucky (KY)

Training Programs to Become an LPN in Kentucky

For anyone wanting to enter the nursing field might want to consider becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN).

In Kentucky, 19% of the nursing workforce is LPNs and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nursing positions in Kentucky will increase by 18 to 20% through the year 2020. Nursing is a very challenging career choice and the right fit for those who have the desire to take care of patients and thrive on challenge.

Employment Outlook for Kentucky LPNs

Nursing is one career choice that continues to thrive even as economical downturns negatively impact other industries. As the population continues to age and longevity comes into play, there are more and more people requiring medical care. Advancement in medical technology continues to offer more healthcare options requiring nurses, particularly LPNs to help administer those options.

Through the year 2020, the medical field expects to add about one million new nursing positions. For the state of Kentucky, that means about 50,000 new nursing positions. That does not include replacing retiring nurses or those that leave nursing for other career choices.

LPNs find employment in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, Doctor’s offices, public and private clinics, home health care organizations, hospice care organizations and visiting nurse organizations. LPNs can also find employment with temporary nurse staffing organizations, insurance companies for the purpose of conducting preliminary health screening for insurance policies and medical claim review and nursing call centers. Nursing call centers are nursing advice lines that answer general medical questions or advise callers where to go for medical help. The call centers are not intended for emergency situations.

Educational Requirements for LPNs in Kentucky

LPNs are required to complete an accredited LPN program. LPN programs can be found at 2 and 4 year community colleges and universities and vocational training centers. Most LPN programs offer a certificate or diploma as a result of successful completion and some offer an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. An LPN program takes about a year to complete, except if the program offers an Associate’s Degree, then it is usually a 2 year program.

LPN students must meet the admission requirements of the school of choice to be admitted to the program. The requirements for admission are a high school diploma or equivalent and the satisfactory passing of math and science classes while in high school. Applicants may be required to take math and science preparation classes before being admitted to an LPN program. Most nursing schools require a criminal background check and submission of a finger print card prior to admission.

LPN programs are a combination of class work and clinical training. Course work may include biology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, obstetric, pediatric and geriatric studies and nursing fundamentals. Clinical training takes place in a healthcare setting and students have the opportunity to observe and participate in patient care. Students must pass the class work and clinical training to successfully complete the program.

LPN Job Description

LPNs undertake a variety of nursing tasks and the tasks may vary slightly depending on the facility. An LPN works under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or physician. LPNs dispense medication, both oral and injections, track patients vital signs, monitor and evaluate patient progress, help establish, implement and monitor patient care plans, dress wounds, change dressings, perform diagnostic testing or assist an RN or physician with the diagnostic testing, prepare patient notes and work with patients and family members to make sure all have the necessary understanding of the patients care to make the necessary decisions. LPNs sometimes supervise the certified nursing assistants (CNA).

LPN Licensing in Kentucky

Kentucky is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. The Compact is a group of states that recognize a nursing license from other member states. The way it works is if an LPN lives in a state that is part of the Compact and becomes licensed, the LPN can work in any other Compact state without taking the NCLEX exam. That helps make nursing employment opportunities more flexible.

LPN graduates must apply to take the NCLEX-PN exam after receiving their certificate, diploma or degree. The application includes a criminal background check and a fingerprint card. The fee for the fingerprint card must be sent directly to the Kentucky State Police. All other fees, for the criminal background check and the application to test is sent to the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN). The KBN will review the application to test and send the approved application to Pearson VUE, the administrator of the exam.

Pearson will send the applicant an authorization to test (ATT). The student’s registers with Pearson VUE pay the exam fee and schedule an exam day and time. Applicants who pass the exam will be notified by email that also contains the LPN license number. There will be no other paper document sent to the applicant. If the student does not pass the exam, they will receive instructions about how to retake the exam.

All LPNs in Kentucky are required to take 2 continuing education hours in HIV/AIDS education every 10 years. LPNs licensed after 15 July 2010 are required to take 1.5 continuing education hours regarding Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma (shaken baby syndrome) within three years of their initial licensing.

LPNs in Kentucky are required to renew their license every 12 months. The licensing year begins 01 November and ends on 31 October of each year. License renewal includes 5 continuing education hours in pharmacology education and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) certified nurses are required to take 5 continuing education hours regarding sexual assault.

LPN Training Classes in Kentucky

Ross Medical Education Centers

Get allied health training with Ross Medical Education Center. We offer programs in dental assisting, medical assisting, medical insurance billing and office administration, and pharmacy tech.

Programs:

Medical Assistant

Locations: Hopkinsville, Bowling Green

LPN Programs in Kentucky

Training Programs to Become an LPN in Kentucky

LPN Training Classes in Kentucky

Programs:

List of Approved KY Practical Nursing Schools

Ashland Community & Technical College

ATA College LPN Program

Beckfield College LPN Program

Big Sandy Community & Technical College

Bluegrass Community & Technical College Leestown Campus

Bluegrass Community & Technical College Danville Campus

Brown Mackie College Louisville LPN Program

Brown Mackie College Northern Kentucky LPN Program

Elizabethtown Community & Technical College

Galen College of Nursing LPN Course

Hazard Community & Technical College

Henderson Community College LPN Program

Hopkinsville Community College

Jefferson Community & Technical College

Lincoln College of Technology

Maysville Community & Technical College

Maysville Community & Technical College Licking Valley

Maysville Community & Technical College Mt. Sterling

Maysville Community & Technical College Rowan Campus

Somerset Community College Albany Ext. (Clinton Co.)

Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College Laurel Campus South

Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College

Spencerian College LPN Program

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

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