How to Become an LPN in Nevada
Licensed practical nurses (LPN) are in demand and make up 12% of the Nevada nursing workforce. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for nurses will continue to grow by 22% through the year 2020. That translates to about 20,000 new nursing positions across the state.
The average LPN salary is $44,000 annually, which is about 7% lower than the national average, and the average starting LPN salary is $22,000 to $24,000 annually and tops out at about $67,000. LPNs can increase their salary by working the night shift, which typically carries a higher hourly wage and work in high stress environments such as urgent care and emergency rooms. LPNs can also increase their salary by specializing in areas such as IV therapy or childbirth education.
Obtaining an LPN certification is the quickest way to become a nurse in Nevada. An LPN program can be completed in 8 to 12 months and the successful candidate will receive a certificate or diploma. There are nursing programs that offer an Associate’s degree in Nursing and take two years to complete. All LPN programs must be accredited and approved by the Nevada Board of Nursing. The LPN program will include clinical training as well as class work with courses in subjects such as nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, nursing administration and communication, physiology, psychology, nutrition, anatomy and obstetric, pediatric and geriatric studies. Associate degree programs will also include microbiology, math, composition and additional classes in nursing fundamentals.
Clinical training will take place in a health care facility and students will experience hands-on patient care under the guidance of a registered and certified nursing instructor. Students will also have the opportunity to rotate through all departments in the healthcare facility. When choosing an LPN program, make sure the school is approved for both class work and clinical training.
The purpose of an LPN program is to educate and train students in the field of nursing and prepare students to take the National Council for Licensure Examination for LPNs (NCLEX-PN). An LPN cannot legally practice nursing in the State of Nevada without being licensed.
Upon successful completion of the LPN program, the school will send a document of completion to the Nevada Nursing Board that allows the student to work as an LPN while in the exam process. Employers will hire graduates with the understanding the employee pass the exam within 90 days and become licensed. Students apply to the State of Nevada Nursing Board to take the exam, and the application packet will include identification, including a passport type photo, documentation of United States citizenship, a criminal background check and a fingerprint card. The student is also required to register with Pearson VUE, the exam administrator. The Nursing Board will review the application and upon approval will notify Pearson VUE. Pearson will issue the applicant an authorization to test (ATT) document. The student will need to present the ATT on the day of the exam.
Students will take the NCLEX exam at one of the Pearson testing sites in Nevada and the applicant can choose the location most convenient for them. Test results are available within 48 hours of taking the test and applicants that pass the exam will be notified by email along with their license number. Nevada does not issue paper licenses. All license information can be accessed through the Nevada Board of Nursing website, including employers who wish to check whether a particular individual has a valid LPN license.
All LPNs are required to renew their license every two years and are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education during the two years between renewals. The continuing education hours can be taken online or in person, but all programs must be approved by the State Nursing Board. At the time of license renewal, the LPN does not have to provide documentation of the hours, but the State Nursing Board will perform audits at random and ask to see continuing education documentation.
LPN Schools in Nevada
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List of Approved NV Practical Nursing Schools
Carrington College Reno
5580 Kietzke Ln.
Reno, NV 89511
(775) 335-1714
College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
Health Science Center, W1A 6375
W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 651-5690
Everest College
170 N. Stephanie St.
Henderson, NV 89014
(888) 223-8556
Great Basin College (GBC)
1500 College Pkwy.
Elko, NV 89801
(775) 753-2301
Kaplan College
3535 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(800) 935-1857
Nevada Career Institute
3231 N. Decatur Blvd., #319
Las Vegas, NV 89130
(702) 893-3300
Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC)
7000 Dandini Blvd. RDMT 417
Reno, NV 89512
(775) 673-7115
Western Nevada College (WNC)
2201 W. College Pkwy.
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 445-3294
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