- The courses you take during the transition from a Certified Nursing Assistant to a Licensed Practical Nurse must qualify you to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse or NCLEX-PN exam. Each state's Board of Nursing Regulations sets its own exam requirements (see Resources). Some states, such as California, allow you to make the transition with minimal additional formal education if you have extensive on-the -job experience. Most, however, require graduation from an accredited LPN program and do not make allowances for CNA training or experience. Given that formal education to become an LPN takes about two semesters or one year of full-time study to complete, this is, in most cases, a faster route to becoming an LPN.
- The core education courses you take assist in making the shift from bedside and personal care procedures to developing the knowledge and skills necessary to perform patient assessments, calculate correct drug dosages, administer medication and perform a number of patient procedures. Coursework includes instruction in nursing fundamentals, skills training, pharmacology, methods of patient assessment and counseling according to condition and age, as well as hands-on clinical training.
- General education courses provide the necessary background for coursework specific to your work as an LPN and help develop communication and writing skills. Basic courses can include writing, speech and psychology. Coursework that provides background information include general and advanced anatomy and physiology.
- Before choosing a school, check with your State Board of Nursing to make sure it is on the program approval list, especially if you are considering on-line classes. This is, for the most part, a firm requirement and choosing a school not on the list can disqualify you from taking the NCLEX-PN certification exam and cost you the chance to get your license to practice.
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