LPNs salary average $40 thousand every year – $13,000 more than CNA salaries ($27 thousand year.) LPN can be likened to management at mid level, prepping rooms for various needs such as assisting to medicate those in need with intravenous fluids and other prescribed capsules or pills. In general, Registered Nurses (RNs) on the next academic level, afford LPN’s more independence than CNAs.

As a resource example for CNA to LPN programs, Minnay Educational Services and Institute of Health Sciences are an instructor-based firm with strong medical and health backgrounds providing support for students, professors and school owners worldwide in Allied Health, Medical, Therapeutic and Nursing professions. Academic resources are available by way of DVDs, CDs, eFiles, Online Access and Textbooks.

CNA To LPN Training And Education Courses

Students who desire to transition from CNA to LPN programs while working and have the option of doing part-time weekend, evening or distance learning programs. Employers encourage CNAs to take their career to the next level with additional courses and specialized studies and may assist with bursaries. When candidates decide to undergo continued education in CNA to LPN programs, expertise will be acquired such as:

• Understanding how to give injections and medicines while being supervised by the Registered nurse.
• Being trained to properly use and administer intravenous fluids and making sure that machinery needed to deliver medicines are functioning smoothly at all times.
• Learning to keep equipment clean according to certain standards and procedures.
• Ensuring that supervisors and colleagues are regularly communicated with under relevant circumstances.
• Learning how to update patient charts need to be kept updated.
• Glucose and insulin levels need to be checked thoroughly where patients may have related illnesses.

CNA to LPN Programs training or education criteria differ depending on which local area in the US the candidate resides, California’s criteria stipulate having worked for a certain set period in a trauma center, while these time requirements may differ from region to region. Experience in a clinic needs under 3 days practice in Pharmacology, 8 days in pre and ante natal care and double this time requirement for child care.

On the journey of academic advancement, CNA’s are advised to consider filtering their decisions through local state boards of nursing, since these criteria differ among each federal region. In other words, a qualification acquired in one state may not be certifiable for practice in another.

CNA to LPN programs can be undertaken at selected study institutions across the US. Average learning periods will requires 2 yrs of full time studies, with prospective LPNs passing the Nationally Certified Licensing Program for Nurses to be licensed to serving in the hospital setting. Online course options such as California’s Vocational Nursing Program are driven by student schedules – not the other way round. Participants with more than 5 years experience can transition faster and if you are from another state, students can arrange to have the California Licensure transferred to the respective state. For CNA to LPN programs in this state, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) in California are the oversight mechanism for qualification and practice criteria.

CNA To LPN Programs Criteria And Cost

Unlicensed individuals with extensive bedside nursing care experience and a limited amount of formal education who demonstrate the acquisition of sufficient basic nursing knowledge and skills, are eligible for the licensure examination. This equivalency method requires the applicant for CNA to LPN Programs to prove a minimum of 51 months of paid bedside nursing experience in an acute care setting and completion of a 54-theory-hour of Pharmacology Course. CNA to LVN Program eligibility requirements include;

• High school diploma or GED
• Must have a valid US social security number
• Must have a minimum of 5 years working experience
• 48 months medical/surgical nursing
• 6 weeks maternity or genitourinary nursing
• 6 weeks pediatric nursingMinnay explains that candidates who have more than five yrs expertise serving as a certified nurse, emergency technician or working with medical doctors who specialize in with a newly accrued CNA certification of 3 years will unfortunately not make the grade. CNA to LPN program restrictions set by BVMPT make it clear that to qualify, assessment of prioer learning and experience must be to have at least five years experience as a certified nurse attending to bed-ridden patients, and no other qualification.

  Acquiring licensure as an LPN in certain selected states does not automatically guarantee transfer acceptance in the student’s home state, however checking with the nursing board of the residential state before endorsement is advised. CNA to LPN programs as a stepping stone to education furtherance means that candidates use this as a way to link to the registered nursing program by doing distance-based educational training or attending a virtual classroom because the lowest qualification is as an LPN.

  This Program is the same as just over 2 full days and typically spans two to three months to complete, spending at least a half a day per week of studying. Access to virtual material on the internet is not restricted and it can be completed sooner if desired. Minnay’s core module is Pharmacology with a tuition fee of $259.99 in which textbook and other materials are included when registering.

  CNA to LPN programs done via Minnay ensure, upon successful completion of the Pharmacology class, that a duplicate of main certification is mailed to the student however it is strongly advised to take additional modules as a refresher to ensure that the (NCLEX-PN) is within reach. The reason for this is that traditional school candidates who have studied as long as two yrs in detail with laboratory and in-hospital environments, will stand a better chance of passing.

  For this purpose, MIHS provides assistance via detailed CNA to LPN programs to help candidates prepare for their major official accreditation tests in a virtual classrom with over five thousand trial tests and questions covering all the modules reviewed in the NCLEX test.

  Additional online course options transitioning CNA to LPNs, include nursing concepts, anatomy and communication. These classes are usually offered as part of practical nursing programs, much of which can be completed online. A subject intrinsic to online LPN program modules is Communication, with patients it is as important for a practical nurse as the care administered, since these skills can also help develop the leadership skills necessary in transitioning from CNA to LPN.

  Minnay Educational Services and Institute of Health Sciences is the leader in multimedia academic resources that increase student performance, supplement and enhance classroom instruction. Academic resources are available as DVDs, CDs, eFiles, Online Access and Textbooks. As an instructor-based firm we have a strong medical and health background providing support for students, professors and school owners worldwide in Allied Health, Medical, Therapeutic and Nursing professions.

  Further Resources

  Once the CNA to LPN program is finished, a student fits the criteria required to do the official Board licensing which affords the ability to serve in full capacity as a licensed nurse. Learners additionally have the ability to gain specialized certificates such as intravenous treatment to capacitate the ability for performing further functions like taking blood and medicating with IV’s. The University of Phoenix offers everything from a Ph.D. in Nursing to Masters and MSN as well as Bachelor Degrees and LPN to BS in Nursing.

  The following Universities can also be contacted for CNA to LPN programs

  • Walden University
  • Kaplan University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Argosy University
  • Keiser University
  • Liberty University
  • Westwood College
  • ITT Technical Institute
  • Sanford-Brown University
  • Colorado Technical University
  • Herzing University
  • South University Online
  • Capella University; and
  • Everest

  The above mentioned information on CNA to LPN programs has been derived from limited sources and there are many more options online. When conducting research, whether for traditional or virtual schooling ensure that a variety of options have been weighed. Oftentimes community dialogues on using websites and forums offer guidance from students who have completed their courses or recommend various options to one another from experience.

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The National Council Of State Boards Of Nursing

The NCSBN, community colleges and vocational schools in each offer virtual online LPN programs in the areas of theory and administration. NCSBN is a non profit entity with membership made up of fifty state partnership boards coming together including 4 territories: Guam, the Mariana Islands (northern) DC, Samoa (American) the Virgin Islands. These nursing boards ensure that the public are protected by offering high quality licensed nursing skills. These nursing boards oversee the regulation of well over two million nurses who are licensed. This is the 2nd biggest licensed individual group of professionals in the States.

By choosing to align an online LPN program research with NCSBN, one would be doing so with an organization whose primary objectives are aligned with the development of a high caliber psychometric licensing exam, which has legal ramifications of compliance to its content quality in line with cutting edge nurses practices. NCSBN has adopted numerous statements, principles, acts and rules for use by member boards of nursing such as the Model Practice Act, which includes the authority to conduct criminal background checks and offer standards for drug screening results.

Both NCLEX PN and RN exams under NCSBN development and administration, are consistently re-evaluated to keep pace with evolutions within the health care system. Offering online LPN programs and other licensed nursing courses is a part of the organization’s aims to offer cutting edge services. In 1994 they became the first organization to adopt adaptive testing via computer (CAT) on a nation-wide scale for licensing exams. Over two million individuals up for nursing license candidature have participated in the CAT-facilitated version of the NCLEX exam.

The demand for the program and nurses went abroad and now NCSBN has created an extension to the learning to facilitate educational career goals for educators and students. This Learning Extension is comprised of online LPN programs as part of thirty five courses which focus on extensive materials and topics for both regulators and nurses.

The Learning Extension

This extended learning service from the NCSBN – www.learningext.com – empowers nursing professionals various career phases whether student, nurse in practice or educator nurse. The catalogue offers the following:

• A review of the NCLEX
• Practice standards : SOP
• Compassionate Care
• Patient Outcomes-management
• Co-Worker relations
• Nurses Instruction

A choice of online LPN programs and other course choices can be viewed by visiting the website where one can enroll in a course. Courses at NCSBN Learning Extension offering E-Learning for the Nursing Community accommodate Nursing Students via the NCLEX online review, which prepare students for the expectations of the professional practice.

Practicing Nurses can enhance their primary areas of competence from the course with expert developed material. The educator nurse can be more easily enabled to conduct assessments of student learning during the preparation of the leaders in the nursing field via CE modules and specialty courses. The site allows access to more than two thousand pages of substantial information including online LPN programs, exam question for practice and tools for interaction.

The following are examples of online courses offered. The website additionally lists prices and contact hours;

• Nursing Acts of Practice
• Ethics in Nursing
• Nursing Legal Accountability and Liability
• What nurses need to know in the case of a disciplinary action
• Life-end care
• Keeping boundaries professional
• Patient outcome management
• Critical thinking
• Errors in Medicating
• Privacy of the patient
• Documenting the Client
• Effective delegation
• Chemical Dependency in colleges and how to confront it.

Online LPN programs as well as other nursing course options at Learning Extension such as Nursing Instruction, include modules that cover the developments of tests and writing Items for the 4.0 version, as well Assessing Critical Thinking. Imagine the diversity you can bring to your career such as a sporting the specialization of, for example, a forensic nursing certificate.

College Online LPN Program Subjects

Other than bodies such as the NCSBN, may colleges offer online LPN programs such as the Terre Haute State University of Indiana . This institution is small and offers personal attention with a rate of student to teacher at seventeen to one. This is perfect for learning’s of an experiential nature. The University offers a campus-based virtual online program for accredited associate, bachelor, master and PhD’s. The institute is split into several colleges, among them College of Human and Health Performance as well as the Nursing College.

While the Nursing College’s online LPN program to RN may be finished virtually or in the classroom whilst its bachelors dept deals with distance learning. Programs are designed to prep the student for communicating, educating and advocating optimally as nurses. When the program is completed, LPNs in the LPN bridge to RN programs will fit the criteria and be eligible to write the RN exam. Many states acknowledge the LPN to RN conversion such as Colorado, Florida, New York and California.

Online LPN programs at the College require students to enter with licensed practical nursing qualification to have done course material which covers psychology, adult nursing care and pediatric care as well as micro-biology and communications. When they have been officially accepted to the major, the student then has to fill 41 class credits such as Mental Illness Nursing, Stress Care for Families and Community Health Nursing with a population focus.

The College’s online LPN programs combine in-class or by studying virtually, with hours spent in the clinical environment. While coursework is taught from textbooks, most foul points are where the student can learn practically from the experienced professionals they work with.

In effect, at the core of most online LPN program offerings are sets of courses which cover theory and conceptual elements within the profession itself. These show the next generation of LPN’s the process of diagnosing and healing a patient, as well as isolating an illness and working clearly and concisely with the patient post and pre treatment. Practical nursing curricula are un – chartered territory for the student.

The nurse course differs from LPN to RN and the specializations, certain of which require students to complete a variety while others mandate a handful. Some can be conducted virtually, via online LPN programs, yet others demand the candidate to demonstrate face-to-face personalized care techniques. On both occasions, the course provides the information and training required to prep the candidate to become a licensed LPN.

An understanding of Anatomy is vital to this profession and LPN’s need to clearly understand various body mechanics and how the components relate to one another. Anatomical training is vital and integrated in all online LPN programs. Distance-based anatomical studies can be imparted virtually via lectures, as well as during laboratory experiments where students can engage in a practical manner.

Classes in Psychology assist LPN’s to gain a developed understanding of the conduct and mental status of patients and students can become familiarized with social matters which serve to more easily treat and communicate with patients. Computer Education is an important element for practical nursing, equipping future LPNs with what is needed to draw up a report, do stats calculations and do internet-based research for illnesses and ways to treat them.

Intrinsic to online LPN program modules is communicating with the patient which is as pivotal for the nurse as the service and care imparted. Understanding the fundamentals for communicating can lend to the patient’s experience and assist their families to deal with the situation at hand. This, in turn, helps the nurse to work with all the information needed to remain as effective as possible.

Online LPN Programs at Various Institutions

1. At Walden University, it is encouraged to put knowledge to use in organizations, communities, and families. They offer over 60 online degree programs with more than 300 specializations and concentrations. While their Learning Format is listed as 100% Online Programs, ensure that these include the necessary practical hours required for your qualification.
2. Kaplan University education offers a 5-week no tuition obligation and if you choose not to continue after the trial period they will refund your application fee. The University is private offering undergraduate, graduate, and continuing professional education programs delivered through an online LPN programs and other course options.
3. The University at Grand Canyon is another option, regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Keiser University on the other hand offers accreditation from the Colleges Commission of the Southern Colleges Association for the awarding of certificate, bachelors, masters and PhD level degrees.
4. Liberty Online University claims its position as main not for profit among its online compatriot institutions offering over forty five degrees and one hundred specialized areas in a flexi-format in at the bacc, master’s and PhD level.
5. Capella University is another option for online LPN programs, offering degrees health care to more than 30,000 students in all 50 states and 45 other countries.
6. South University’s online degree programs are designed to provide educational opportunities for the intellectual, social, and professional development of a diverse student population.

An online search will further reveal options for considering the best online LPN programs to apply for, ensure that your chosen institution is accredited and that a balance of theory and practical is adequate to serve the qualification you desire.

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RN positions with supervisory roles in particular frequently require applicants to have a BSN. The degree will take four years to complete for students who have no nursing experience. RNs can get recognition of prior learning credits and complete the same degree is less time.

The first and second years consist of classes in the liberal arts, sciences and other general education requirements. In their third and fourth years, they enroll in nursing courses to complete their clinical work. Typical LPN to BSN practical components involve a set minimum number of hours working in a health-care facility.

The BSN prepares the student for graduate level qualifications and when they complete this level, BSN graduates can work in a vast number of healthcare settings. These include from clinics, nursing homes and hospitals to businesses such as book publishers, pharmaceutical and insurance companies and law firms. Schools, psychiatric units and home-care agencies are also included.

An LPN to BSN or general BSN curriculum affords students a broad knowledge of nursing theory and research, which lays the foundation for further study. Upon completion of the program, students who do not have a current RN license take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN).

To enter a BSN program the student should have a high school diploma and background in mathematics and science as well as satisfactory GPA. ACT or SAT score – for some programs. For LPN to BSN some programs offer an accelerated option to highly qualified RN applicants allowing for students to complete their degree in twelve to twenty months, instead of two or more years. Those with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree can also enroll in a BSN program inclusive to relevant recognition for prior learning.

Lourdes University

Lourdes University offers a well tailored LPN to BSN. Its applications to major deadline are the first day of fall and spring semester with late application deadlines on May 1 (for fall semester) and December 1 (for spring semester). Lourdes program acknowledges previous education and work experience and offers small clinical groups with a 6:1 student-faculty ratio that promote personalized instruction. The student can study with other LPN learners in the bridge LPN to BSN course which is developed and accredited by the CCNE.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education is approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing. Their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LPN to BSN program is a pre-licensure program designed for the practicing L.P.N. desiring to become a registered nurse and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

LPN students can attain a high level credit in nursing which depends on prior skills and experience earned. Applicant’s LPN transcripts are reviewed for the purpose of evaluating former relevant activities of an academic nature.

LPN To BSN Career Opportunities And Course Requirements

A BSN can grant mobility within the profession such as specialty and leadership opportunities in professional nursing. LPN to BSN nurses are equipped with leadership, communication and analytical skills not usually offered in a two-year associate program. A bachelor level is prepared for the advancing education process, which proceeds to engender grad-school opportunities for further specialization such as;

• Nursing practitioners;
• Midwives;
• Anaesthetists;
• CNS clinic nursing specialization;
• Educator; and
• Leadership.

Students admitted in the case of Lourdes College as an LPN to BSN majors must complete prerequisite courses. A minimum GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C – or better – in the natural sciences are required. Applicants are considered on a competitive basis and acceptance into the major is not guaranteed. The progress noted in a large portions of the major is achieving the grade of a C per course as well as a two.five GPA. Nursing advisers are available for contact in the cases of requiring more information.

The LPN to BSN degree is awarded to students who successfully complete the four-year curriculum, including courses in the nursing major and foundational modules offered by other departments at the college. The nursing program is designed to be completed in five semesters. Classes are frequently scheduled to meet once a week and a total of 125 credit hours are required for the BSN degree, with 63 of these devoted to the major.

An LPN to BSN student can enroll in the bridge program for LPN’s, to advance their careers in the profession of nursing. The student who successfully completes this course will be awarded five hours of prior learning credits and may receive prior learning credit for selected clinical courses – depending on past experiences and successful completion of companion theory courses.

Lourdes program hallmark is individual attention to students in the classroom as well as in clinical activities. A Lourdes College nursing major will be able to apply knowledge learned in the classroom in a variety of clinical settings selected and supervised by expert nursing faculty LPN to BSN students work alongside expert specialized preceptors in a clinical setting with cutting-edge tech and resources for learning.

The Center for Nursing in Flasck is available to parallel work in the class and practice in-clinic. Lourdes LPN to BSN course material which is grounded in liberal-arts and bears several components for nursing namely adaptive, leadership, client-oriented, communicative and thinking of a critical nature.

When taking the LPN to BSN program one can expect to learn a broad range of topics from literature and philosophy to microbiology. The following are examples of what one can expect:

ENG 101 Basic Composition; ENG 102 Research & Writing: General Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Cultural Diversity; Ethnic & Cultural Diversity; Anatomy & Physiology I; Microbiology: Pathophysiology : Introduction to General Chemistry; Nutritional Chemistry and Statistics.

Lourdes’ prerequisite courses for the LPN to BSN include Art or Music, History, Philosophy (PHL 101 or PHL 103), Theological Studies (2 courses), ENG 200 Introduction to Literature, PHL 310 Bio-Ethics. Nursing Major Courses include NUR Intro to Professional Nursing, proposed LPN Bridge Course; Integrated Clinical I; Pharmacology; Psychology; Acute Care; Childbearing Families; Clinical Leadership and Nursing Capstone. All in all, a total of 14; 6 theory and 8 clinical prior learning credits are viable.

Further LPN To BSN Institutional Options

The following academic institutions offer LPN to BSN qualifications:

• The California College San Diego (CCSD) allows you to complete your Associate’s Degree in 20 months and Bachelor’s Degree in 30 months. CCSD offers FastFlex 2+2 courses so you have the convenience of being on-line 2 times per week and at the campus 2 times per week.
• College America prepares students with multiple skills and training enabling them to acquire numerous certifications and/or licenses within each chosen field by way of one degree with multiple majors. This expands student choices and offers grants and student loans.
• For an LPN to BSN, the Medical Careers Institute has several campus locations offering a direct route toward career goals.
• South College is an education facility, which provides and identifies high calibre programs for development and serve to enhance the latent potential in the student. SC encourages developing of independent thinkers studying and the bachelor, certificational and associate level.
• South University – Tampa , FL offers a student who desires to do their undergrad, LPN to BSN a range of programs I this degree for the nursing profession. The student may focus on an undergrad at bachelor level through one of the 5 various universities in either Montgomery, Columbia, Savannah, Tampa, Florida or Southern California.
• Stevens Henager College (SHC) affords an LPN to BSN Associate’s Degree in 20 months, Bachelor’s Degree in 30 months and your Master’s Degree (on-line only) in 8 months.
• The University of Phoenix undergraduate and graduate degree program options include relevant curriculum and experienced faculty who work in the fields they teach. Here, students can find opportunities for education which blend academic theory with real-world, practical application.
• Dover’s College of Business offers an LPN to BSN which has accreditation as a forty-eight year old private college renowned for excellence in teaching and assisting the student to prepare for a successful nursing career. Dover has a variety of locations for its campus – their website offers more information.
• Eastwick’s School: HoHoKus in New Jersey runs and oversees the HoHoKus Business and Medical Science School, with additional specialist schools offering LPN to BSN as well as a variety of additional technical training options in the medical sciences. Stanbridge College is a field leader in educating in the Healthcare arena of SC, offering certifications which engender certifications accredited accordingly within the industry.

Lastly, if you want to try an online LPN program option, you can do a LPN to BSN transition online from the highest-ranked Indiana University college nursing program which does not require attending class and offers an accreditation from the National League of Nursing (NLNAC).

Its half the time and cost of traditional programs with no waiting list, you can start immediately and complete the academic portion of your degree for 40 hours online with Indiana State University. This College and University partnership is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. LPN to BSN students can use the network of college’s concise materials for learning to complete exams under their 3 privately listed brands, including pro-metric to gain elective credits for college for up to seventy-six hrs.

The post LPN To BSN Programs – Advancing Your Nursing Career appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

The treatment that a mental health social worker dispenses ranges between the teaching of necessary skills for day-to-day living, crisis intervention, personal or group therapy, or various other interventions. Mental health social workers work in either out-patient or in-patient settings. Some mental health social workers are employed in private practices, where they see the patient privately and decide on the type of therapy according to the issues that are presented in consultation.

Duties Of A Mental Health Social Worker

A mental health social worker basically provides services that assist individuals to deal with crises or issues of a personal nature via therapy, counselling, or other practical assistance. Exactly what they do and how they operate depends on the setting in which they work. In an outpatient setting they usually take on multiple roles, and in substance abuse clinics, their duties could include intermittent drug testing and counseling. Some mental health workers are employed by companies as part of an employee assistance program, where part of their duties would be to assist individuals with personal or work-related stresses that are affecting their ability to work effectively.

Some duties of a mental health social worker are:

• Interviewing clients, conducting assessments, reviewing records, or consulting with other professionals in order to evaluate the mental or physical condition of patients or clients

• Educating clients or community members regarding mental or physical illness, medication, abuse, or the availability of community resources

• Assisting clients in adhering to treatment plans by performing such tasks as setting up appointments for them, arranging for their transportation to those appointments, or providing support

• Counseling or aiding the client or patient’s family as to how to assist them in dealing with, understanding, and supporting them

• Collaborating with physicians, nurses or counselors to plan or coordinate a treatment-plan, drawing on their own social work experience and the needs of the patient

• Monitoring, evaluating and recording a client’s progress with regards to treatment goals

• Referring clients, patients, or families to community resources for housing assistance or treatment to assist in their recovery from a physical or mental illness

• Developing or advising on social policy or assisting in community development

• The planning or conducting of programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve counseling or health services in community

• Counseling clients or patients individually or in group sessions to assist them in dealing with mental or physical illness, substance abuse, physical abuse poverty, or unemployment

Depending on the setting there may also be other duties that the mental health social worker will perform, such as supervising or directing other individuals who provide a range of services to their patients or clients, or modifying treatment plans according to client needs. Many private clinical social workers also often do recordkeeping and various other administrative tasks such as marketing their practice or assisting clients to get payment from their insurance carriers.

It is also the responsibility of every mental health social worker to continually improve their knowledge in the field by conducting social research, attending training workshops and seminars and reviewing current literature.

Skills Required By A Mental Health Social Worker

Mental health social work does not suit everyone, even if they have done other social work before. This is a very stressful career and some very specific skills are required to cope with the stresses of the job.

In order to become a mental health social worker, one needs the following skills:

• Active Listening – this means the ability to give full attention to what other individuals are saying, taking time to understand the points that they are making, asking questions when appropriate and if required, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Active Learning – one must be able to understand the implications of new information and its impact on both current and future problem-solving and decision-making

• Critical Thinking – the ability to use reasoning and logic to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems is a very important skill for a mental health social worker to have

• Complex Problem Solving – the ability to identify complex problems and review related data in order to develop and evaluate various options and implement the correct solutions

• Effective Communication – this includes the ability to communicate effectively with others both verbally and in writing, in order to convey important information effectively

• Instruction – the ability to instruct others in order to teach them better ways of doing things

• Learning Strategies – the ability to select and use the best and most appropriate training/instructional methods and procedures for a particular situation when learning or teaching new things

• Monitoring – the ability to monitor/assess performance of self, other individuals, or organizations in order to institute improvements or take corrective action

• Negotiation – the ability to bring others together in order to try to reconcile differences.

• Persuasion – the power of Persuasion is important in order to get others to change their minds or destructive behavior

• Systems Analysis – the ability to determine how a particular system should be working and how changes in operations, conditions, and environment could affect outcomes

• Systems Evaluation – the ability to identify different indicators or measures of system performance and the actions required in order to correct or improve performance, relative to the goals of the system

There are also other skills required, such as management of personnel resources, judgment and decision-making, time management, coordination and reading comprehension.

Work Environment

Social workers held 650,500 jobs in 2010, and were employed in Hospitals and clinics, Nursing homes, Community mental health clinics, Private practices, State and local governments, Schools, Colleges and universities, Substance abuse clinics, Military bases and hospitals. The work in done mainly in an office, but there are also occasions that require a mental health social worker to go out into the field.

According to stats released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2010, the industries that employed the most mental health substance abuse social workers were:

Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers 17%
Individual and family services 16
Hospitals; state, local, and private 14
Local government, excluding education and hospitals 10
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals; state, local, and private 8

Mental health social workers generally work full-time, and like many other types of social workers, they may on occasion be required to work evenings or over a weekend.

How To Become A Mental Health Social Worker

The requirements to become a mental health social worker differ somewhat in various jurisdictions, but generally most states require that one have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Some jurisdictions also require a certain amount of fieldwork to be done before licensure can be obtained. It is possible to become a mental health social worker in some states with a bachelor’s degree other than the bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW), if you have a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field.

Some positions, including those in schools and healthcare frequently require that applicants have a master’s degree in social work (MSW) or a closely-related subject. No matter what qualification is required, it is always a good idea to pursue a higher education, as it will help you to stand out among other job candidates, and will augur well for your future in the field.

All clinical social workers must have an MSW, which takes 2 years to complete, although there are some programs that allow those who already have a BSW to complete their MSW within 1 year. All MSW programs will prepare you for work in your chosen field, and help you to develop the skills to do clinical assessments, manage a large number of clients, and take on a supervisory role. All programs also include a compulsory amount of hours that must be done either in an internship or doing supervised fieldwork.

Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, the job outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers is expected to grow by 31% between 2010 and 2020, which is faster than the average for other occupations.

This growth is expected to happen as a result of more people seeking treatment for addiction and mental illness. Drug offenders are increasingly being sent for treatment rather than to jail, therefore the use of substance abuse treatment programs is expected to grow exponentially, which will thereby increase the demand for mental health and substance abuse social workers.

Licensure

Licensure varies by state, but all states do require some sort of certification or licensure requirement. Clinical social workers are required to be licensed in all states, and as such, as a mental health social worker you will be required to do what is required by the state in which you intend to practice in order to gain licensure.

The post The Mental Health Social Worker In The U.S. appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

LPN programs last a year on average and can be undertaken in hospitals and specialized colleges. When conducted in a hospital, new nurses will undergo an orientation period to introduce the hospital philosophy, routines, shifts and procedures. LPN requirements include working in the Emergency Room (ER), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), Operating Room (OR), and Outpatient.

LPNs also work in private practice medical offices, clinics, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) surgical centers and emergency medical facilities as well as Nursing Homes and other private and public health facilities. State to state LPN requirements will be limited compared to an RN when it comes to licensing and other factors.

LPNs will be expected to;

• Measure and record patient information such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse.
• Dress wounds, monitor catheters, give enemas, injections, collect samples, and perform laboratory tests.
• Perform basic bedside patient care to help keep the patient comfortable such as assisting with bathing, moving inside and outside of the bed, and personal hygiene.
• Feed patients who need help and record food and fluid intake for example.
• Lastly, LPN requirements include sharing observations and information with registered nurses, doctors, and facility staff as needed to best care for the patient.

An LPN will be on their feet for extended periods working 40-hour week with 24-hour care split into mornings, days, nights, weekends and holidays. Environmental job hazards include disease, chemicals, workload related stress, injections, radiation exposure and possible injury sustained from uncooperative or confused patients.

A state approved training program is included in LPN requirements and needs to be completed as well as passing a standard cross- state sponsored practical nurse licensing exam known as the NCLEX-PN, developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). This exam is computer based covering 4 subject areas namely:

• safe effective care environment;
• health promotion and maintenance;
• psychosocial integrity; and
• physiological integrity.

LPN Requirements: Exam and Certification

LPN examination in the form of the NCLEX exam requires one exam for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and one for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN). Both require a fee and the number of questions vary from person to person, depending on performance. Questions are posed until such time that the test-taker qualifies.

Both exam questions cover topics such as keeping patients and nurses safe through accident prevention, the use of ergonomic principles and correctly handling infectious items as well as patent care in the case of stressful situations such as abuse, loss, mental illness or chemical dependency. In addition, LPN requirements and other exam takers must identify appropriate use of medications, calculate doses and recognize adverse effects.

The American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) offer a list of certifications in diverse specialty areas such as pediatrics, psychiatric care and diabetes management. The ANCC is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA) and offer internationally renowned credentialing programs certify nurses in specialty practice areas; recognize healthcare organizations for promoting safe, positive work environments through their certified programs and accredit providers of continuing nursing education.

Another professional organization assisting with ensuring that official LPN requirements are met is the National League for Nursing (NLN). The NLN offers certification for nurse educators and is the preferred membership organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. NLN members include nurse educators, education agencies, health care agencies, and interested members of the public. The NLN also offers faculty development programs, networking opportunities, testing and assessment, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 33,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

LPN requirements for career advancement post this course certification in the case of earning degrees and obtaining RN licensing nurse practitioners (and other advanced practice nurses) may need to undergo an additional process of certification, determined by the state in which they work. Certification allows the advanced nurse to perform more specific care, depending on the state’s regulations. Such an example includes certified nurse practitioners being able to prescribe medications or even serve as a patient’s primary health care provider.

Visiting the local state board of nursing website and the links provided for understanding LPN requirements will assist in gaining verification for state approved PN/LPN/RN programs and NCLEX-PN/RN licensing exams. LPN jobs are expected to grow faster than average through 2016 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Median annual earnings were $36,550 as of May 2006 varying from state to state with the lowest 10% of LPN nurses earning under $26,380 while the highest 10% earn over $50,480.

Comprehensive Online Resources

In order to ensure full compliance with LPN requirements, it is recommended to engage with an LPN at a nearby facility as well as potential employers. About nursing.com for example, groups Nursing by state for easy review of available nursing programs and nursing degrees. Before applying to a school, local state boards of nursing web sites will guide candidates to credible colleges. Each local board will be responsible for issuing nursing licenses.

For meeting the correct LPN requirements, it is best to visit more than one nursing school web site where various nursing programs and degrees will offer a greater variety of information. About nursing offers guidance on how to navigate these state boards from Alabama to Wyoming. There are also nursing school brochures and applications available. Some private colleges and universities may have waiting lists and schools of nursing tuition may be more expensive than community college and state nursing schools.

Online nursing schools and self-study based challenge nursing exams can be employed as a cost cutting options for LPN requirements and have certain advantages when it comes to classroom attendance versus working and studying via a flexible schedule. Prospective employee viability may be somewhat compromised by where the certification has been obtained, ensure which online courses prospective employers are more aligned to. Below is a comprehensive checklist of LPN requirements to consider before applying;

• Nursing school accreditation (Regional)
• Nursing program accreditation (CCNE, NLN)
• Verify school is accredited by the state
• Verify program is accredited by CCNE, NLN
• Review nursing job degree requirements
• Consider savings of state vs private schools
• Federal and state financial aid programs
• Scholarships, work study, nursing loans
• Nursing program to match nursing career goals
• Online nursing schools available in state
• Self-study and challenge exams in state
• Ask nursing co-workers for career advice

When submitting information for application, LPN requirements will include official high school transcript or Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED). This record must show the completion of mathematics (2 years), General Science as well as English Reading and Comprehension (4 years). Two professional endorsements (employers, professors, principals, and guidance counselors) are also required.

Applicants then undergo Nurse Entrance Exam (NET) and must attain a score of 65 percent in all subjects to be accepted for the LPN requirements program. After passing this entrance exam a personal interview will then take place to ensure that applicants have the physical capability to do their responsibility as practitioners. Students with learning disabilities can also enroll as long as they announce their condition beforehand so the school can afford them additional time to finish the entrance examination. Applicants with learning disability also need to bring a written proof of their condition.

Example: LPN Requirements for South Seattle Community College

South Seattle Community College for example lists courses required for LPN entry, which must be completed before submitting and application.

The Transcript department will verify LPN requirements from other colleges classes. Adjunct English as a Second Language courses are available for many of the pre-requisites and a minimum acceptable grade for any pre-requisite course is 2.5.

There is a 7-year time limit on all nursing pre-requisite science courses at SSCC with a 10-year time limit on all non-science pre- and co-requisites. The Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) Program for example is usually offered four times per year – fall, winter, spring, and summer quarters and is a daytime program only, which covers basic care, following care procedures, controlling infections, safety and emergency preparedness, restorative care, and dealing with death and dying. LPN requirements will differ depending on which institution the applicant is interested in, aside local requirements as designated by prospective employers or certified LPN online resources are available to guide further queries.

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A pediatric nurse practitioner is a nurse who specifically works with children and adolescents in a number of different health care settings, providing them with care specific to their age group. It is well known that infants, children, and adolescents have different nutritional and medical needs to adults and geriatrics, which is why the need for experts in this area exists.

Nature Of The Work/Duties

The duties of a pediatric nurse practitioner are as follows:

• Pediatric nurse practitioners work alongside pediatricians and other health care professionals to provide adequate care to pediatrics (defined as any individual younger than the age of 18).

• The pediatric nurse practitioner may serve as the child’s primary caregiver in charge of all diagnoses and treatment plans.

• In addition to dealing with ill children, nurses with this qualification also assist the families of patients who are chronically ill or severely injured.

• In cases where a child has lost the physical ability to stand or walk, pediatric nurse practitioners will administer thorough assessments of that child and engage in rehabilitation should it be deemed necessary.

• A pediatric nurse practitioner is also active in providing preventative care information to the parents of the children under her care, as well as providing tips on how parents can care for their ill child in the home environment.

Employment

Although a large number of pediatric nurse practitioners work specifically in hospitals or in doctor’s offices, it is possible to have your own practice if you have this qualification. This is one of the primary reasons why this is such a popular career path with many nurses. Naturally the educational requirements that you will have to meet before you will be able to run your own practice are vast, but it will result in having a higher degree of professional prestige and earning more respect from others in the healthcare field.
Employment as a pediatric nurse practitioner suits those nurses who have a special interest in the well being of youngsters and who are willing to engage in the training needed to become certified. As tragedies can happen in a pediatric ward, a strong emotional character will also stand you in good stead.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Requirements

The following are the requirements that you must meet if you want to be a pediatric nurse practitioner:

• To begin with you will need to attend a nursing program that results in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Once you have your bachelor’s degree you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN)

• After you have experience as an RN, you will need to go back to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Take any courses that are offered by your program convener in child health and psychology in order to prepare for work in pediatrics

• Once you have met the educational requirements you will need to earn board certification in pediatrics through the Society of Pediatric Nurses, which will result in you officially becoming a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP)

Personality Traits

There are a number of general nursing skills that will stand you in good stead as a pediatric nurse practitioner, but there is one very important skill that is not required in most other nursing specialties. This is the ability to understand the individual psychology of each child and communicate with children at their level. Although this skill can be taught, it will help you considerably if you have a natural ability in this regard. In addition to this specific skill you will also need the personality traits of empathy and understanding, especially as children often need greater reassurance and levels of support than adults do when they are in a hospital or other health care facility. Attention to detail is also extremely important as children will not be able to explain situations or symptoms to you as easily as an adult would, making it your responsibility to infer details through other means.

Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for this line of work are fairly stringent as you are required to earn a master’s degree. However, this is a cumulative process as an undergraduate degree must be obtained first. Here you have two options:

• You can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing
• You can earn an associate’s degree in nursing and then complete an associate’s degree to bachelor’s degree bridge program

Your undergraduate training, regardless of the specific route you choose to take, will prepare you for a career as a general nurse. Quality programs include comprehensive classroom training, as well as clinical training regimes. The core topics that you will cover in most programs will be related to community nursing, health assessment, nursing ethics, anatomy and physiology, and complex health problems.

To enter into the master’s degree program that will allow you to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you must have:

• An RN license
• Experience as an RN (about 1 year)

If you are enrolled in the master’s program full-time, you should be able to complete it in about 2 years. The general and specific courses that you will need to complete during your master’s program include nursing theories, research methods in nursing, advanced practice nursing, pharmacology and pathophysiology, health promotion, disease prevention, health maintenance and pediatric theory. At the end of the course you will be required to submit a thesis.

If you are a student who has a bachelor’s degree in a topic not related to nursing, you may be able to complete an accelerated nursing program to become a registered nurse.

Licensure

The only license that you need, strictly speaking, is an RN license, which is earned by completing an accredited RN training program. After completing the program you will need to apply for licensure with your State Board of Nursing. Once your eligibility to become licensed is confirmed you will take the NCLEX-RN examination through Pearson VUE, the examining body. This exam is computer based. Passing the exam earns you your RN license, which will need to be renewed periodically according to the rules in your particular state.

How To Become A Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Training, Advancement And Other Qualifications

The question that occurs to many nurses is why it is necessary to become a pediatric nurse practitioner if you are already a pediatric nurse. The reason for this is related to career advancement and career opportunities. With your advanced degree and certification, you’ll have more responsibility, and higher earning ability, than pediatric nurses.
Once you have earned your qualification as a pediatric nurse practitioner it is very important that you then continue to boost your knowledge by engaging in continuing education related to the field of pediatric nursing. This will not only allow you to improve your efficiency on the job, but it will also make your resume more attractive to any potential employers that you apply with over the course of your career.

Source An Accredited Education Program

It is very important that you source an accredited training program when studying to be a pediatric nurse practitioner. Your state board of nursing can confirm the accreditation status of the school that you choose. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/pediatric-nursing-rankings lists the 18 best schools offering a master’s degree in pediatric nursing:

• University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA
• Yale University in New Haven, CT
• University of Washington in Seattle, WA
• University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, PA
• Duke University in Durham, NC
• Rush University in Chicago, IL
• University of Colorado-Denver in Denver, CO
• University of California-San Francisco in San Francisco, CA
• Columbia University in New York, NY
• University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC
• Emory University in Atlanta, GA
• Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD
• University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI
• University of Illinois-Chicago in Chicago, IL
• University of Maryland-Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
• Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
• Ohio State University in Columbus, OH

Earn Your Associate’s Degree

The most basic degree that you can earn is your associate’s degree, which will allow you to become an RN. However, in order to become a pediatric nurse practitioner you will have to complete both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in addition to your associate’s degree.
To earn your associate’s degree apply to at least three different nursing schools offering the qualification in your area. This will greatly improve your chances of being accepted. To choose the best school for you, create a list of all the personal and practical requirements that the school must meet. Enroll in the most appropriate school and complete the course requirements. This will earn you your associate’s degree.

Obtain Your Licensure

In addition to the RN license that you must hold in order to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, you are also required to become certified. The easiest way to do this is through the American Nurses Credential Center which offers a PNP-BC (pediatric nurse practitioner-board certified) credential. In order to earn this credential you will need to take a computer based multiple choice test. Preparation for the test can be completed by buying study guides and textbooks or by using the many online resources that are available. Once you have become certified, you must renew that certification once every five years in order to continue practicing as a pediatric nurse practitioner in your particular state.

Online/Distance Education Programs

There are a number of advantages to studying online:

• The hours are more flexible and you can work according to your own schedule
• It is often cheaper to study online than in a traditional classroom situation

However, as you will always be required to complete a certain amount of clinical training in a nursing degree program, you cannot hope to earn your qualification entirely online. Online and distance education schools are often affiliated with health care facilities where you will be able to complete your clinical training. Others require you to make your own arrangements for achieving the required number of clinical hours. Without hands-on training you will be unable to become a pediatric nurse practitioner.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for pediatric nurse practitioners is fairly good as this is a subset of the health care industry which is always on the increase in terms of the number of jobs that become available. In addition to having a specialized qualification, you will also be able to work in facilities that require non-specialized RNs due to your undergraduate training. However, this is a fairly popular line of work, which means that there may, in some cases, be steep competition for finding employment in pediatric nursing.

Earnings

The overall salary that you can expect to earn as a pediatric nurse practitioner is about $61,676 – $94,383 a year, but if you also consider the potential for an annual bonus of between $0.00 and $7,465 a year, as well as the potential for profit sharing of between $507 and $19,727, your overall earning potential comes to about $63,996 – $102,228 a year. The industry you choose to work in will also affect your pay as a pediatric nurse practitioner. Popular industries are Healthcare where you can expect to earn about $58,819 – $94,359 a year, Pediatric Offices where you can expect to earn about $59,254 – $94,223 a year, Hospitals where you can expect to earn about $59,905 – $96,324, Medical Offices where you can expect to earn about $57,726 – $93,395 a year, and Medical Services where you can expect to earn about $58,571 – $95,578 a year. Some cities pay more than others. The top paying cities are:

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Washington, District of Columbia
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Nashville, Tennessee
• St. Louis, Missouri
• New York, New York
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Orlando, Florida
• Columbus, Ohio

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Recently, there has been a huge increase in the number of jobs available in the medical sector in Texas. What this means for medical assistants now and in the future is that there are an ever growing number of jobs available, making it an excellent career to pursue. The medical assistant field is expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations in the nation from 2008 to 2018, and the city of McAllen-Edinburg-Mission is noted as one of the top five US metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of medical assistant employees. In addition, there are also many medical assistant programs in Texas through which they can train for the position. In comparison to several other states, Texas offers more opportunities for education as well as for employment, and the rate of pay for medical assistants in this state is quite high. When it comes time to select one of the programs, it is very important that you shop around. Ideally it is better to contact in the region of 3 to 5 different schools (possibly more) as this will increase your chances of being admitted to one that suits your needs. There are a number of parameters to consider when choosing a school, so begin by creating a short list of the best options for you.

What Is A Medical Assistant?

A medical assistant is an individual who assists a doctor or physician with either administrative or clinical tasks. This frees the doctor up to focus more intensively on the well being of his patient. The specific duties of the medical assistant may differ depending on:

• The location of the practice
• The specialty of the practice (for example, there is a subdivision of medical assisting for both the ophthalmic and podiatric disciplines)
• The size of the practice

Although there can be differences in terms of what a medical assistant is expected to do, they are usually actively involved in taking patient history, measuring patient vital signs, helping the physician with patient examinations, giving the patient injections (as directed by the physician), scheduling patient appointments, and preparing blood for laboratory tests. Although medical assistants are described as either being administrative or clinical, they usually perform a mixture of duties.

Medical Assistant Training In Texas

One of the main reasons why individuals often fail to study for a career as a medical assistant is that they cannot afford to. However, in Texas, there are a number of financial aid options available for students who would like to pursue a career in this discipline. Some of the better known options are:

• The Tuition Equalization Grant program
• The Texas Public Educational Grant
• The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program

If you are in need of financial assistance, you should consider options offered at federal level. In addition, there are a number of private contributors who provide scholarships and loans for students. If you do have to take a loan, there are loan forgiveness programs that you could engage in once you have completed your studies.

List Of Medical Assistant Programs In Texas

The following is a fairly comprehensive account of the medical assistant programs in Texas:

Everest College
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Everest Institute
Program Types Offered: Certificate, Diploma, 9

Kaplan College
Program Types Offered: Diploma

National American University
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree

Anthem College
Program Types Offered: Diploma

Arlington Career Institute
Program Types Offered: Diploma

Career Centers of Texas
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Career Point College/Institute
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma

Cisco College
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

College of the Mainland
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Concorde Career Colleges
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

Dallas County Community College District
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

El Paso Community College
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Hallmark College of Technology
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Lamson Institute
Program Types Offered: Diploma

Northeast Texas Community College
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Richland College
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Sanford-Brown College
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

Southern Careers Institute
Program Types Offered: Diploma

Southwest Career College
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

The College of Health Care Professions 
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

Virginia College
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree

Vista College
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES and CAAHEP

Westwood College
Program Types Offered: Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

It is interesting to note that accreditation information is not available for each of these schools. When selecting medical assistant programs in Texas, it is very important that the program you select is accredited by an appropriate accrediting agency. If it is not, you are likely to find that you qualification (as well as your hard work and money) will have been for nothing. The best method for selecting a school is by only considering those that offer information regarding their accreditation status, and ignoring those that are either not accredited or that are not forthcoming on the topic.

Salary

It is well worth considering what your medical assistant program will get you in the long run. In Texas, the salaries for medical assistants can differ quite notably by city. According to cbsalary.com, the following are the approximate rates that you could expect to earn as a medical assistant in Texas.

• In Abilene you can earn $30, 891 a year
• In Laredo you can earn $27, 443 a year
• In Amarillo you can earn $28, 603 a year
• In Lewisville you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In Arlington you can earn $38, 675 a year
• In Longview you can earn $30, 410 a year
• In Austin you can earn $39, 789 a year
• In Lubbock you can earn $27, 700 a year
• In Azle you can earn $38, 675 a year
• In Marshall you can earn $30, 810 a year
• In Beaumont you can earn $28, 017 a year
• In McAllen you can earn $29, 167 a year
• In Brazoria you can earn $35, 508 a year
• In Mission you can earn $29, 165 a year
• In Brownsville you can earn $29, 338 a year
• In Odessa you can earn $32, 830 a year
• In Bryan you can earn $32, 061 a year
• In Plano you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In College Station you can earn $32, 061 a year
• In Port Arthur you can earn $28, 017 a year
• In Coppell you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In San Angelo you can earn $33, 859 a year
• In Corpus Christi you can earn $31, 758 a year
• In San Antonio you can earn $34, 847 a year
• In Dallas you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In San Benito you can earn $29, 338 a year
• In Denison you can earn $38, 218 a year
• In San Marcos you can earn $39, 789 a year
• In Denton you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In Sherman you can earn $38, 218 a year
• In Edinburg you can earn $29, 167 a year
• In Temple you can earn $32, 804 a year
• In El Paso you can earn $29, 502 a year
• In Texarkana you can earn $30, 629 a year
• In Fort Worth you can earn $38, 675 a year
• In Texas City you can earn $35, 953 a year
• In Frisco you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In The Woodlands you can earn $35, 953 a year
• In Galveston you can earn $35, 953 a year
• In Tyler you can earn $33, 222 a year
• In Harlingen you can earn $29, 338 a year
• In Victoria you can earn $30, 619 a year
• In Houston you can earn $35, 953 a year
• In Waco you can earn $31, 796 a year
• In Irving you can earn $38, 753 a year
• In Wichita Falls you can earn $29, 029 a year
• In Killeen you can earn $32, 804 a year

Texas offers a surprising number of schools through which you can train to be a medical assistant. However, it is important to remember that the medical assistant programs in Texas mentioned here do not represent an exhaustive list, and neither are they necessarily the best options for you. It is extremely important that you do your own research into each of the schools and determine their suitability for you at a personal as well as at a practical level. Medical assisting allows you to enter the stable and ever-growing medical industry where job security is guaranteed and the potential for growth is huge.

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Louisiana State Requirements For Becoming An EMT

Basic EMT State Requirements

The first requirement involved in becoming a basic EMT in Louisiana is that you complete a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic curriculum. According to braintrack.com, you need to meet the following requirements before you will be admitted to such a program:

• You must be 17 years of age to enter a program
• You must have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or be state certified as a First Responder prior to starting the course
• High school students should be enrolled in good standing with their high school
• You must take a Bureau of EMS-approved standardized proficiency exam and demonstrate an eighth grade reading level

Along with proof that you have completed an accredited program, you must also provide a transcript from a doctor stating that you are in good health and therefore able to perform your duties as an EMT adequately and without putting the lives of you or your patients at risk. This assessment must be performed within 6 months prior to application. Although you can enter an EMT training program at 17, you must be at least 18 years old to take the National Registry exam to receive Louisiana State Certification. This consists of both a practical as well as a written examination.

Intermediate EMT State Requirements

To become an EMT at Intermediate level in Louisiana you must begin by completing a Louisiana Bureau of EMS-approved training program based on the Emergency Medical Technician 1984 curriculum.

Note: You will be unable to enroll in such a program if you were previously dismissed from a similar program for any reason other than simply failing the program academically within the last two years. In addition, you will not successfully pass the program if you attend less than 90% of the training hours offered.

Although there are some exceptions, you will also need to be a National Registered EMT Basic and State Certified EMT-Basic before you can become an Intermediate EMT in Louisiana. If you have a criminal record for any reason it is unlikely that you will be able to receive certification at this level, except under very rare circumstances. While EMT-Basics only need to read at 8th grade level in Louisiana, EMT-Intermediate’s must be able to read at 10th grade level if they are to be accepted into the industry. Proof from a doctor that you are free from communicable diseases and that you have received all of the necessary immunizations is also required if you are to be certified at this level. Last, but not least, you must receive National Registry Certification and Louisiana State Certification.

Choosing A Program

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when it comes to selecting EMT programs in Louisiana as there are a fair number to choose from. Your final decision depends heavily on what you are looking for in a school. Some of the schools listed below have, for example, a stronger focus on the emergency medical services than others. This often implies that the education offered will be more comprehensive and that the qualification will be taken more seriously. Schools that fall into this category include South Louisiana Community College, Delgado Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College. However, there are also other factors involved in selecting a school. If, for example, you specifically want to attend a school with a diverse student body, you should consider enrolling at Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, Nunez Community College, or NTC. If you are an adult learner who would feel more comfortable around other adult learners, you should consider applying at Southern University at Shreveport and Bossier Parish Community College. And if you would prefer to attend a school that has small class sizes, you should consider South Central Louisiana Technical College, NTC, Louisiana Tech Alexandria, and Delgado Community College.

List Of EMT Programs In Louisiana

Louisiana has a number of schools on offer for students interested in pursuing a career in the emergency medical services industry. Some of the EMT programs in Louisiana are listed below:

• Bossier Parish Community College, located in Bossier City and offering an Associate’s degree
• Delgado Community College, located in New Orleans and offering an Associate’s degree
• L E Fletcher Technical Community College, located in Houma and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Alexandria Campus, located in Alexandria and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Delta- Ouachita Campus, located in West Monroe and offering an Associate’s degree
• Louisiana Technical College- Northeast LA Branch Campus, located in Winnsboro and offering an Associate’s degree
• Northshore Technical College- Hammond Area Branch Campus, located in Hammond and offering an Associate’s degree
• Northshore Technical College- Sullivan Main Campus, located in Bogalusa and offering an Associate’s degree
• Nunez Community College, located in Chalmette and offering an Associate’s degree
• South Central Louisiana Technical College- Lafourche Campus, located in Thibodaux and offering an Associate’s degree
• South Louisiana Community College, located in Lafayette and offering an Associate’s degree
• Southern University at Shreveport, located in Shreveport and offering an Associate’s degree

Certification And Examination

In order to become certified as an EMT in Louisiana you must first complete a Department of Transportation approved EMT or Paramedic course prior to taking the National Registry Exam for Emergency Medical Technicians. This exam is both computer-based as well as practical, meaning that your theory knowledge and your clinical skills will be tapped before you will become certified. To become certified you must provide proof that you have passed this examination. In addition you will need to provide your current NREMT card.

Preparing for the examination is essential. This involves doing online revision, but also involves becoming familiar with computer based testing as there is no longer a ‘pen and paper’ option available. The EMT National Data Training Base has thousands of questions for you to use while you practice for your examination. This can be found by visiting http://www.emt-national-training.com/louisiana-emt.php. What is particularly helpful about this resource is that it not only provides questions for you to use as you practice, but it also provides all of the answers as well as explanations regarding why one answer is correct while another, similar, answer is incorrect. If possible, form a study group with other EMT students who are also in the process of preparing for the examination as this will greatly improve your efficacy.

If you would like more information, please contact the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services:

11224 Boardwalk Drive, Suite A-1
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
Phone: (225) 275-1764
emsweb@dhh.la.gov

Major Private Employers Of EMTs in Louisiana

There are two main private employers of EMT professionals in the state of Louisiana. They are American Medical Response, located in New Orleans, and Priority Mobile Health, located in Terrytown. In addition to these employers, of course, you will also have the opportunity to work for hospitals and ambulatory care units across the state. The following are examples of non-private employers you could work for as an EMT in Louisiana:

• Charity Hospital of Louisiana (Hospital)
• Louisiana State University (Hospital)
• Ochsner Medical Center (Hospital)
• University Hospital (Hospital)
• Acadian Ambulance Services Incorporated (Ambulance Service)
• American Medical Response (Ambulance Service)
• Balentine Ambulance Services (Ambulance Service)
• Lifeline-West Calcasieu (Ambulance Service)
• Med Life Ambulance (Ambulance Service)
• Alexandria Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Bossier City Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Eastbank Consolidated Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Fire Protection Dist 4 (Fire Department)
• Lake Charles Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Monroe Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Violet Fire Department (Fire Department)
• Wards 1 and 2 Fire Protection (Fire Department

Not only are there many EMT programs in Louisiana to choose from, but there are also many different employment opportunities available to a prospective student in the emergency medical services once they have graduated from their program. This makes it an extremely sensible career option. It must be noted that not all students are good at taking exams. If you are a student of this kind, you may wish to consider engaging in additional training and examination preparation in order to be well prepared for certification. This will often cost you more money, but in the long run it is certainly worth the time and expenditure.

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Both the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN cover a lot of overlapping material however, the scoring and number of questions vary between the exams. Sections of the LPN pre-entrance exam include a verbal, mathematics and science component with a total of 140 questions. Studying independently means taking practice tests online, consulting study guides and books – or by attending exam preparation courses from companies such as Kaplan, Hurst Review or Pearson VUE that have test facilities in various states.

Pearson VUE

Taking the LPN examination can be stressful and generate feelings of being unprepared. Reviewing course materials, including class and study notes as well as taking a practice test a few days before the exam, can assist with mental preparation. Pearson VUE for example offers a service of delivering tests to clientele within licensure, admissions of an academic nature, certification, regulation and testing service markets in government. The company offers the world’s leading test center network with over 5,000 test centers in 165 countries (230 of which are fully-owned and -operated Pearson Professional Centers.)

Kaplan

LPN examination reviews can also be conducted via Kaplan Nursing’s NCLEX-PN® Exam Review, guided by expert educators. Students have 14 hours of class time being guided step-by-step with a teacher through the nursing content and critical reasoning strategies required to succeed on Test Day. Kaplan also offers a realistic prep experience of more than 1,000 exam-style questions in the Qbank, an online question bank. Both are available, live or in their state-of-the-art Live Online classroom.

Secure tests and LPN examination materials include:

• Adult Health
• Developing Family
• Gerontology
• IV Therapy
• Pharmacology I
• Pharmacology II
• Pharmacology III
• Foundations
• Nutrition
• Psych

LPN examination preparation materials can be accessed at Kaplan’s distinguished nursing faculty or in person at the student’s nursing school, offering 21 hours of class time. The teacher walks the student through Kaplan’s acclaimed Decision Tree to learn critical reasoning strategies needed to succeed. Here, a realistic prep experience is available through over three thousand exam-style questions in the test interface.

Kaplan reporting empowers student and faculty to track performance and identify knowledge gaps. Individual student reports are designed to track answer changes along with the time used to answer each question. These include percentile rank, compared to national norm group as well as the total percentage of correct answers. In turn, this indicates the percentage as correct by category namely:

• Level of Question Difficulty;
• Nursing Process;
• Clinical Concepts;
• Demographics; and
• The NCLEX-PN® test plan blueprint

This LPN examination review and other materials thus allows for customization of aggregate reports for cohorts and individual students with data easily exported to Excel for accreditation reports. Four levels of remediation provide students with comprehensive content reviews available for all questions, not just those that students had incorrect, but also content from textbooks such as the LWW simplified series and 8 review focused practice tests.

Basic nursing content is reviewed with 500+ pages of easy-to-understand outlines, tables and graphs to help students prepare for textbook reading assignments and tests.

Hurst: LPN Examination Review Services

This company was founded in 1988 by Marlene Hurst to assist nursing students in preparing for and passing the NCLEX®. Studying for this aspect of the exam is not about covering more content, but applying additional knowledge to client situations.

Hurst’s approach focuses on core content using role-playing in critical thinking exercises to demonstrate how to apply content for safe nursing practice. Classes are lead by registered NCLEX® expert nurses and offerings to assist with LPN examination and test materials, offer a guarantee that the student who writes an NCLEX for the first time will succeed if finishing one of the following; the Hurst Live, virtual classroom online or video aspects of the review completely.

This includes attempting the NCLEX after a period of six month period since having graduated from a nursing school that is US accredited. If the student is unsuccessful, Hurst provides either a once off course that lasts 45 days (for remediation) and this needs to be finished in the span of a year post graduation – or the fee will be refunded less administration of seventy five dollars.

Hurst live lecture reviews for LPN examination prep are offered in the form of a four day presentation with Fifith-Day Material and Question Review in a virtual classroom online for the student to do as homework. These includes topics in its content which cover the control of infections, leadership management and delegating, Pediatrics and Pharmacology. Also included are strategies for testing, and video-style lectures of dummy NCLEX which covers leadership, pharmacology and chid care.

The Hurst Question (HQR) Review exam offers over a hundred questions which are generated in a random manner aligned closely to the 2010 Nursing Council’s categories for the testing plan percentages for extra prep material. LPN examination students may not try more than six times on the HQR a year post the date of their school of nursing graduation, or 1 yr after the date which their initial live Hurst NCLEX review started.

LPN Examination: Tips on Reference Books

Recommended publications offering tips and preparation guides for nursing examinations include the comprehensive NCLEX e Saunders Exam Review by RN Linda Silvestri (Anne) PhD. This review and preparation resource offers the perfect combination of core content review, practice questions with comprehensive rationales, as well as detailed test-taking strategies and tips. The author’s well known Success Pyramid learning features is referenced throughout the book, highlighting key information and more than a thousand high calibre review questions that are designed to mirror NCLEX test plans. An LPN examination disk accompanies the guide and bears questions from the book, as well as over two thousand extra practice questions in an electronically flexible format allowing for customization of the study experience, focussing on areas requiring review.

The book also covers twelve pharmacology chapters, medication and intravenous calculation, paediatric medication administration chapters and prep for the increase in pharmacology questions on the exam. The 3,700 practice questions in text and the companion CD provide ample testing practice in both print and electronic format. This LPN examination review guide also covers alternate item format questions, prioritizing, decision-making and critical thinking as well as page references to Mosby or Saunders textbooks providing specific resources for further study and self-remediation.

Each question is categorized by cognitive level, client needs areas, integrated process and clinical content areas, to allow for focus to fall on areas of weakness. Pyramid Terms at the beginning of each chapter offer a quick preview of key content while Pyramid Points throughout the content outline and highlight content appearing on the exam. Be sure that updated content reflects the latest NCLEX-PN® test plan.

LPN examination review companion, The PN NCLEX for Kaplan Edition 2010 to 11 deals with Practical Nursing Strategies concerning the Licensing Exam for Nurses which offers the most comprehensive guide to the exam, including a practice test based on the most up-to-date information, detailed answer explanations, information on the exam’s content, structure, and additional practice questions online.

Mosby’s comprehensive review of practical nursing by Mary O. Eyles review book for the PN NCLEX reflects changes in practice, and addresses the computerized licensure examination. In this LPN examination guidebook, the author covers core clinical areas, including obstetric, medical and surgical, childcare and nursing mental health, as well as the usual pharmacology nutrition, physiology gerontology and anatomy. A testing sample of one hundred questions accompanies the guide on a disk.

NCLEX Practice Sample Questions

LPN examination candidates can expect the following practice sample questions such as if a nurse reviews the medication of a patient at the change of shift, the following lists which would be a contraindication should the patient have been pregnant. In some cases more than one answers are right and the multiple choice will offer medication such as clofazmine, coumadin, celebrex, catapress, habitrol and finastride.

LPN examination sample question two considers a student of nursing in their 2nd yr who is stuck by a needle whilst administering a positive AIDS patient. The question directs the test taker to single out one of the following essential actions: A – Seek out a social worker as soon as possible, B – Initaitate AZT treatment (prophylactic), C – Initiative pentamide treatment (prophylactic) D – Consider seeking counselling.

A male of 35yrs is dependent on insulin and has been for 5yrs but cannot urinate. The answer would be one of the following A-D: A: Athero sclerosis; B: Nephropathy (diabetic); C: Neuropathy (Autonomic); D: Neuropathy (Somatic)

LPN examination questions can also include an example such as when a nurse is recording the history of a fourteen year old young teenage woman who has a BMI of eighteen. She says she is unable to eat and has constipation along with vomiting that is induced. The following most likely options are considered: A- Multiple sclerosis; B – Anorexia nervosa; C: Bulimia; D: Sclerosis (systemic)

The sample questions above were extracted from NCLEX info.com, offering a comprehensive guide to definitions, preparation and information lists of test questions to expect, as well as flashcards. This information is merely a guide for to what to expect from an LPN examination review, in order to study and prepare comprehensively, it is recommended to acquire a credible guide such as the options discussed in this article.

The post LPN Examination – NCLEX Test Tips appeared first on Healthcare Careers Guide.

How The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Serves Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians are trained professionals who aim to assist pharmacists in the dispensing of medication. The pharmacist is legally responsible for all of the actions of the pharmacy technician. In order to ensure that the pharmacist receives the best level of assistance possible, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exists to ensure that a high standard is maintained within the profession. This is for the sake of the patients receiving the medication above all else. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board offers a number of services to pharmacy technicians which they can use in their daily lives:

• MyPTCB
• Apply to take the PTCE
• Recertify
• Reinstate
• CPhT Connection
• Career Info

State Associates

In order to ensure that as many pharmacy technicians as possible are made aware of the certification process and that as many pharmacy assistants as possible are given the opportunity to become certified, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board has teamed up with a number of pharmacy assistant associations, including the following:

• Alabama Pharmacy Association
• Alabama Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Alaska Pharmacists Association
• Arizona Pharmacy Foundation
• California Pharmacists Association
• California Society of Health-system Pharmacists
• Colorado Pharmacists Society
• Connecticut Pharmacists Association
• Connecticut Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Delaware Pharmacists Society
• Delaware Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Florida Pharmacy Association
• Florida Society of Health-system Pharmacists
• Georgia Pharmacy Association
• Georgia Society of Health-system Pharmacists
• Hawaii Pharmacists Association
• Idaho State Pharmacy Association
• Idaho Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists
• Illinois Pharmacy Association
• Indiana Pharmacists Alliance
• Iowa Pharmacy Association
• Kansas Council of Health-System Pharmacists
• Kansas Pharmacists Foundation
• Kentucky Pharmacists Association
• Kentucky Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Louisiana Pharmacists Association
• Louisiana Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Maryland Pharmacists Association
• Maryland Society of Health System Pharmacists
• Massachusetts Pharmacists Association
• Massachusetts Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Michigan Pharmacists Association
• Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Mississippi Pharmacists Association
• Mississippi Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Missouri Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Montana Pharmacy Association
• Nebraska Pharmacists Association
• Nevada Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• New Hampshire Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• New Jersey Pharmacists Association
• New Jersey Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• New Mexico Pharmacists Association
• New Mexico Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• New York State Council of Health-System Pharmacists
• North Carolina Association of Pharmacists
• North Dakota Pharmacists Association
• Ohio Pharmacists Association
• Ohio Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Oklahoma Pharmacists Association
• Oklahoma Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Oregon Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association
• Pennsylvania Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• South Carolina Pharmacy Association
• South Carolina Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Tennessee Pharmacists Association
• Texas Pharmacy Association
• Texas Society of Health-system Pharmacists
• Utah Pharmacists Association
• Virginia Pharmacists Association
• Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Washington State Pharmacy Association
• West Virginia Pharmacists Association
• West Virginia Society of Health-System Pharmacists
• Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin
• Wyoming Pharmacists Association
• Wyoming Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Certification

About The Exam

The certification exam comes in three parts:

• Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving Patients, which makes up 66% of the exam
• Maintaining Medication and Inventory Control System, which makes up 22% of the exam
• Participating in the Administration and Management of Pharmacy Practice, which makes up 12% of the exam

In total the exam will be 2 hours long. The first 5 minutes of the exam comprises of a tutorial that you must complete before writing the exam. Following the tutorial you will need to answer 90 multiple choice questions in 110 minutes. It is important to note that 10 of those questions will not count towards your final score. This is because they are new questions being piloted for their suitability in future tests. However these questions are randomly distributed throughout the test, so you will not know which of the questions will count towards your final score and which will not. You will not be penalized for guessing, so it is important that you attempt all questions to the best of your ability. The final five minutes of the test consists of an exit survey that you are also required to complete.

The tutorial that you complete before completing the exam is there to give you an idea of what the test will look and feel like. However, if you would like to prepare more thoroughly for the exam, there are a number of practice tests that you can buy from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. These tests will allow you to not only test your knowledge, but also to become comfortable with the online testing system used by Pearson VUE, the body that administers that pharmacy technician certification exam.

Apply

If you want to become certified, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent educational diploma
• You must receive a passing score on the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE)
• You must provide full disclosure of all criminal and State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure actions
• You must comply with all applicable PTCB Certification policies
• There must not be any record of criminal conduct involving you
• There must not be any evidence of State Board of Pharmacy registration or licensure action against you
• There must be no evidence that you have violated a PTCB Certification policy, including but not limited to the Code of Conduct

In order to apply for certification you must pay a fee of $129. You can only apply online, unless you have special needs or disabilities that make this difficult for you, in which case you will be allowed to apply for a hardcopy of the application form. During the application process you will have to indicate that you have met all of the eligibility requirements. Action will be taken against you if you lie on the form about your eligibility for certification.

Schedule

When it comes time to schedule your examination, you will be given a 90 day period in which you are allowed to do this. If you apply online, your 90 period to schedule your exam begins immediately. You will then own exam appointment directly with PTCB’s test administrator Pearson VUE, either online or by phone at (866) 902-0593. There are a number of exam venues available across the country for you to choose from. Once you have scheduled your exam you will receive an email notification to confirm your appointment within 24 hours. If you want to cancel or reschedule your appointment, there is no additional fee charged, but you must contact Pearson VUE at least 24 hours before the start of the exam to give them fair warning of your cancellation. If you do not, you will be marked as absent from the exam. If you miss an appointment due to your own fault, you will forfeit the exam fee and you will have to pay the fee again in order to set anther date.

On Test Day

On the day of the test you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. If you arrive 30 or more minutes late for your appointment, you will be deemed to have missed your exam. Things to bring to the venue include:

• An approved form of identification that matches the name on your Authorization to Test (ATT) letter
• Your ATT letter

Your personal belongings, except for comfort aides, are stored in a locker before entering the room. You may not bring your own calculator unless special permission has been granted.

During the exam you must behave in accordance with the Code of Conduct outlined by the PTCB. You will then have the option of completing the tutorial after which your exam will begin. You should answer all questions as there is no penalty for guessing. You will also have the opportunity to write notes about questions that bother you and submit concerns about the test directly to the PTCB, although these will not be addressed during your test.

Becoming certified as a pharmacy technician through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board is easier than you think. Once you have completed your training the test itself will not be very difficult to complete. In addition there are a number of aides available online as well as from other sources that exist specifically to prepare you for your exam.

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