How to Become an LPN in West Virginia
Becoming an LPN in West Virginia will require you to jump through a number of hoops before you can be licensed. While there are standards that you must meet and education you must undertake, this is not an insurmountable task. In truth, the amount of work required to become an LPN in West Virginia is on-par with the rest of the country.
To make the process easier, it’s important to start out with the right information from the right sources. This way, you can more quickly attain your goal of becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse without too many issues.
LPN Job Description
Many states have different interpretations of what an LPN should do as part of a healthcare team and West Virginia is no different. According to Title 10 of the Legislative rules set forth by the State Board of Examiners, a LPN in West Virginia is limited mostly to reporting and general care duties for stable patients. They also may administer or assist with emergency treatments under the direct supervision of a registered nurse. They may also work unsupervised with stable patients who are not under any type of emergent status.
Much of what an LPN does in West Virginia falls under patient hygiene and reporting. A Licensed Practical Nurse will do rounds on stable patients to check for any changes in status, marking any necessary notes on the patients’ charts before moving on to their other duties. A Licensed Practical Nurse may also take notes of necessary nurse-to-nurse interactions to create a solid line of communication showing how patient needs are handled. Helping patients stay clean and healthy is also something that falls within the purview of LPNs in West Virginia. This can include helping patients with personal hygiene and making sure patient’s rooms are sanitary.
West Virginia LPN Job Outlook
The national nursing shortage that is hitting states all over the country has not passed over West Virginia. In West Virginia, the demand for LPNs is growing faster than the rate at which students are enrolling in LPN programs. This means that the job outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses in the state of West Virginia is very favorable. The job outlook looks even better for nurses who graduate from LPN programs after having already received a bachelor’s degree. Demand is especially high in private clinics and housing facilities working with the aged. Turnover is very low for LPNs in West Virginia, meaning that many nursing assistants have a lot of long-term job security.
LPN Education Requirements in West Virginia
Licensed Practical Nurse training in West Virginia is an ongoing process. To start, all potential LPNs must complete a state-certified LPN training program. This training program will cover many different aspects of nursing from theory to practical information. All training courses will have a mandatory clinical component where students will be required to attend clinic hours. LPNs must also become CPR certified and they must pass the NCLEX-PN exam in order to be licensed. To maintain licensing, LPNs in West Virginia need to take 30 hours of continued education every year.
LPN Salaries
A Licensed Practical Nurse in Charleston will find a median income of around $36,000 per year. Salaries will be higher in more densely populated urban areas than in smaller rural or suburban areas of the state. Jobs in private clinics will generally have higher initial pay rates for LPNs but the overall yearly benefits at state-owned facilities are often more attractive. Of course, this will vary greatly on a case-to-case basis depending on the facility in question.
LPN Schools in West Virginia
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