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Nursing Degrees: The Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN)

What is a Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN)?

The majority of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in the US have been educated and trained at the diploma / certificate level. The most common entry point into a practical nursing career is completion of a state approved basic nursing program that leads to conferral of a diploma or certificate upon graduation. This piece discusses practical nursing diploma programs.

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What is a Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN)?

A licensed practical nurse (LPN), also known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) in the states of California and Texas, is a healthcare worker who has attained basic nursing education, obtained generalist training, and received occupational licensing to provide routine care to stable patient populations with foreseeable outcomes. The scope of practice for the LPN is completely reliant upon the state in which nursing practice takes place. While some state boards of nursing (BONs) allow LPNs to practice within the boundaries of very wide scopes of practice, other state BONs have grossly restrictive scopes of practice that limit the skills that LPNs are permitted to perform.

An individual who wants to train to become an LPN shall select from one of two main academic routes. Diploma programs (also known as certificate programs) and associate's degree programs are the two principal ways in which a person enters the practical nursing profession in the US. Even though the associate's of applied science degree in practical nursing is an available and valid educational option, it will be discussed in further detail at a later date. Instead, this piece is going to discuss the practical nursing diploma, also known as a diploma/certificate of vocational nursing in California and Texas.

The most common mode of entry into a practical nursing vocation is graduation from a state approved basic nursing program that leads to conferral of a diploma or certificate. The majority of LPNs in the US have been educated at the diploma level. Practical nursing diploma programs are typically offered at community colleges, regional state universities, private vocational schools, technical colleges, adult education training centers, and private for-profit academies or institutes. Before receiving the lawful title of 'LPN,' graduates of these diploma programs are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), the national exam that results in occupational licensure as a practical nurse.

What is it like to attend a practical nursing diploma program?

Practical nursing students who are enrolled in diploma/certificate programs attend classes at the various types of schools listed in the previous paragraph. A high school diploma or GED is normally needed for admission into a practical nursing program; however, a very small number of programs will admit applicants who lack a diploma under special circumstances. An even smaller number of practical nursing programs are built into the vocational track of high school seniors' coursework.

Most practical nursing programs teach the following topics

  • Basic Nursing Fundamentals
  • Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
  • Hands-on Clinical Practicum
  • Geriatric Nursing
  • Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing
  • Maternal / Newborn / Obstetrical Nursing
  • Medical Terminology
  • Pediatric Nursing
  • Pharmacology

Students in practical nursing diploma programs also receive several hundred hours of hands-on training, also known as clinical practicum. Practical nursing clinical rotations occur in acute care hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, clinics, doctors' offices, extended care facilities, and other healthcare settings to give students experience with live patient interactions and procedural skills. Full time practical nursing students may attend classes at vocational schools, adult education centers or private institutes five days per week, typically for 11 to 14 months. On the other hand, practical nursing programs at community colleges, state universities and technical colleges are generally 12 to 18 months in length with more flexible scheduling.

Are there opportunities to continue education after receiving a diploma?

Graduates of practical nursing diploma/certificate programs can enroll in LPN-to-ASN (associate's of science in nursing) or LPN-to-BSN (bachelor's of science in nursing) degree completion programs. These programs give LPNs the schooling and college credits needed to complete degree requirements that render one eligible to take and pass the national licensing exam to become registered nurses (RNs).

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TheCommuter

About TheCommuter, BSN, RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

226 Articles   27,608 Posts

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Meriwhen
allnurses Guide

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN

4 Articles; 7,907 Posts

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Great article :) Just wanted to add on one thing for those not familiar with this: in California and Texas, LPNs are known as LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses). Same job, different acronyms.

Kamilah Coney

Kamilah Coney, ASN, RN

207 Posts

Specializes in Intensive Care. Has 11 years experience.

Thanks for sharing this :)

TheCommuter

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

226 Articles; 27,608 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych. Has 17 years experience.
Meriwhen said:
Great article ? Just wanted to add on one thing for those not familiar with this: in California and Texas, LPNs are known as LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses). Same job, different acronyms.

Yikes! I'm the last person who should have forgotten to mention the LVN designation. I was originally licensed as an LVN in California and worked as one in Texas for more than four years.

Thanks for the reminder! ?

tokmom

tokmom, BSN, RN

4,568 Posts

Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff. Has 30 years experience.

LPN's will always be dear to my heart. I was an LPN for 4 years before transitioning to my ADN. Once I have my BSN, I have the opportunity, if I want it, to be a clinical instructor for a local LPN program. I'm excited to be sharing with them what I have learned over the years and hopefully inspire them to be great nurses. ?

SE_BSN_RN

SE_BSN_RN, BSN

805 Posts

Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC. Has 8 years experience.

Great article, TheCommuter!

Kamilah Coney

Kamilah Coney, ASN, RN

207 Posts

Specializes in Intensive Care. Has 11 years experience.

I have a question unrelated to this article. I am currently pursuing LPN-RN education online and I would like to go as far as obtaining a BSN degree. There has been some back and forth discussion about having 80% of the nurses in this profession carry a B.S.N degree by 2020. The question I have is, as a B.S.N are you obligated to just teach and manage or can you still work out in the field providing bedside care? Honestly, I absolutely love providing bedside care. I would dislike to have the B.S.N. degree "forced" on me and ultimately have that bedside care eliminated from my job description.

TheCommuter

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

226 Articles; 27,608 Posts

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych. Has 17 years experience.
RN2BE2016 said:
The question I have is, as a B.S.N are you obligated to just teach and manage or can you still work out in the field providing bedside care?

You are not obligated to be a manager or educator with a BSN degree. The vast majority of the BSN-educated nurses with whom I work are floor nurses.

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