Louisiana, LA | LPN Nursing Program Information
How to Become an LPN in Louisiana
A minimum of five prerequisite courses are necessary before applying to an LPN program in Louisiana. Classes focus on topics like psychology, human development and physiology. Once complete, aspiring nurses apply to the school of nursing they wish to attend. Applications are evaluated largely based upon grades in prerequisites—one must do well during their preliminary course work.
Once begun an LPN education program lasts about a year. The ultimate goal is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pass the National Counsel Licensing Examination-Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The Louisiana State Board of Nursing regulates who can take the test, and they charge a $100 application fee, alongside an additional $45.25 fingerprinting fee. It then costs $200 to take the test from Pearson Vue, the national examining body. Once passed, as do more than 4 out of every 5 first time test takers, students become LPNs and are ready to enter the work force.
Louisiana LPN Duties and Salary
In Louisiana, LPNs primarily devote their work hours—usually 40 hours a week—to direct patient care. Giving medicine, monitoring their health, feeding, bathing, and reporting back to a registered nurse are all typical tasks. These tasks take place at all hours of the day, as many patients need care around the clock. The majority of LPNs work in hospitals, but they may also find work in hospices, nursing homes, and other health care facilities. Rest assured that LPNs make good money for their hard work: the average salary for a Licensed Practical Nurse in urban areas of Louisiana is around $42,000 per year (according to BLS.gov), plus benefits—around $5,000 per year less in smaller towns, where the cost of living is lower.
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