There are a number of LPN programs in Idaho that you could take part in that would allow you to become an LPN and join the ever expanding health care industry. If you are a resident in Idaho and if you would like to work in Idaho we suggest that you attend programs based in Idaho as this will increase your chances of meeting the requirements for your state. Different states have different requirements for LPNs, so it is important that you make an effort to meet all of the necessary requirements by attending a program in your own state.
Choosing The Best LPN Program In Idaho For You
There are a number of things that you will need to keep in mind when choosing between eh many LPN programs in Idaho. You will need to take this choice very seriously and think about all of your options with the factors below kept in mind at all times. This is not a decision to be made lightly as it will affect the rest of your career as a nurse.
- Accreditation: The most important aspect of an LPN program that you need to take into account is whether or not it is accredited. If it is not accredited there are extremely few employers that will hire you once you have completed the program. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that you find out whether the program is accredited or not well ahead of time so that you are not caught out.
- Preparation: The program that you attend needs to prepare you for the examination. This is important. If you are unable to write the exam successfully at the end of the program you will have wasted your time on the program. An analysis of what past pupils have written in online reviews will give you an idea of whether or not this is in fact a program that will properly prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam.
- Coursework: Theoretical and Practical: It is important that you remember that a good LPN course will cover both important aspects of your studies, namely the theoretical and the practical. You cannot do a program that only offers theory work. It is a requirement that you complete a certain number of clinical hours in order to qualify. In addition the experience will make your career as an LPN substantially easier to transition to as you will already have a good idea of what you are doing.
- Job Placement: Programs that offer a job placement service after you have graduates should be moved to the top of your list. These are the kinds of programs that are the best to choose because they help you transition from being a student to being a member of the workforce. This is a tough transition for a lot of reasons but with help from your program administrator you should do fine.
- Quality of Tuition: The quality to the tuition that a program offers refers to the quality of the teachers as well as to the quality of the actual work that you will have to complete. The coursework should be comprehensive and adequately prepare you for the examination. The teachers should have good reputations and preferably should also have some work experience in the field of nursing so that they can give you a first-hand account of what to expect.
- Flexible Schedule: If you have children, or if you need to work and study at the same time, you will need to find an LPN program that is flexible. This is quite easy to find, especially as several PN programs offer part of their tuition online. However if flexibility is not a serious dimension for you to consider you should remember that this is then not one of the more important decision-making aspects on your list.
- Tuition Fees and Financial Aid: If you strapped for cash you may want to consider those LPN programs that are cheaper. However it is also important to remember that there are a number of financial aid options available for nursing students in this state that you may be able to benefit from if you are interested in studying further. Financial aid is offered by schools, the government, and even your employer.
3 Steps To Becoming An LPN Idaho
Becoming an LPN in Idaho through one of the several programs (the actual programs are listed at the end of the article) is a very easy process to understand. You will have to work hard to become an LPN in this state, but in the long run you will find that you experience very little difficulty with the overall process. There are three basic steps that you can follow in order to become an LPN in the state of Idaho. These steps will now be discussed in detail.
- Earn your LPN Degree: This is a rather obvious first step. Your degree can be earned through one of the programs offered by the state and should take you about 1 year to complete. When you engage in an LPN program remember that you will need to do both theory training as well as clinical practice in order to fully qualify as an LPN. This affects your decision of which LPN program you should choose. Hard work will be required in order to earn your LPN certificate or degree and you will have to be able to motivate yourself to do the work required.
- Apply for Licensure with the Idaho State Board of Nursing: Once you have completed the necessary coursework you will need to apply for licensure with your state board of nursing. This is why t is important to attend a program in your own state. The different state boards tend to have different requirements. The cost of this application will be something in the region of $85. You will also need to have the school where you completed your LPN program send your transcript to the State Board of Nursing to prove that you have completed the necessary work.
- Obtain a CPR Card and Pass the NCLEX-PN: Once you have completed the actual program there are a number of other things that you will need to do. Firstly you will need a CPR card. This may mean that you will have to attend an additional CPR course. Not all states require that you have this, but the state of Idaho is a state that does. You will also need to pass the NCLEX-PN examination. This is the examination that will allow you to become licensed and practice as an LPN in the state of Idaho.
List Of LPN Programs In Idaho
Here is a list of some of the schools that offer LPN programs in Idaho:
- Apollo College
1122 N. Liberty Street
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: (208) 377-8080
- Boise State University
College of Applied Technology
1910 University Drive
Boise, ID 83725
Phone: (208) 426-4143
- College Of Southern Idaho College Of Technology
P.O. Box 1238
Twin Falls, ID 83303
Phone: (208) 732-6720
- College Of Western Idaho
PO Box 7567, Mail Stop #3000
Boise, ID 83707
Phone: (208) 562-22008
- Eastern Idaho Technical College
1600 S. 25th E.
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Phone: (208) 524-3000, x3421
- Idaho State University
College Of Technology
Campus Box 8074
Pocatello, ID 83209
Phone: (208) 282-1052
- Lewis Clark State College
Division of Nursing & Health Sciences
500 Eighth Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501
Phone: (208) 792-2518
- North Idaho College
1000 W. Garden Ave.
Coeur D’alene, ID 83814
Phone: (208) 769-3452
It is important to make sure that when you consider LPN programs in Idaho that you ensure that the program is properly accredited before applying for it. If it is not accredited you will have a hard time getting a job as your qualification will not be taken as seriously as you need it to be.
There are different LPN qualifications and degree levels that you can work towards. The specific qualifications you will be able to study towards at each of these schools include the following:
- Licensed Practical Nurse/ Licensed Vocational Nurse to BSN
- Certification in Nursing – LPN
- BS in Nursing (RN Required)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
- M.S. in Nursing
- M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
- M.S. in Nursing/MBA/Health Care Management
- M.S. in Nursing/Master of Health Administration
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Hopefully you now have all of the information that you need about programs in Idaho and you will be able to make a sensible choice going forward about LPN training. There are a number of aspects to consider when looking into LPN programs in various states, but the important thing to remember is that you always need to be aware of the requirements in your particular state so that you can be sure to meet them without any trouble at all. The LPN industry is a thriving one in Idaho and this is a very good state in which to qualify.