The practice of nursing in New York State as a licensed practical nurse is defined as performing tasks and responsibilities within the framework of case finding, health teaching, health counseling, and provision of supportive and restorative care.

The nursing tasks of LPNs include, but are not limited to the following:

• Administers specific medication, orally or subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, and notes time and amount on patients’ charts.
• Provides medical treatment and personal care to patients in home settings.
• Takes and records patients’ vital signs.
• Dresses wounds, gives enemas, douches, alcohol rubs, and massages.
• Observes patients and reports adverse reactions to medication or treatment to medical personnel in charge.
• Bathes, dresses, and assists patients in walking and turning.
• Assembles and uses such equipment as catheters, tracheotomy tubes, and oxygen suppliers.
• Collects samples, such as urine, blood, and sputum, from patients for testing and performs routine laboratory tests on samples.
• Sterilizes equipment and supplies, using germicides, sterilizer, or autoclave.
• Records food and fluid intake and output.

 

In New York State an LPN works under the direction of a registered professional nurse or licensed physician, dentist or other licensed health care provider legally authorized under this title and in accordance with the Commissioner of Education regulations.

LPN's provide hands-on healthcare in settings such as hospitals, doctors’ offices, homes and long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Practical nurses work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses as members of the health care team. The nursing field is well suited to caring, responsible people who enjoy helping others, possess good interpersonal skills and enjoy working in a team-oriented atmosphere.

Nursing is multi-level, competency-based profession. Competencies range from those at a beginning level where essential knowledge is addressed to an advanced level where knowledge is more in-depth and wide ranges of nursing actions are performed. The differences between LPN and RN are many, but can be summarized as follows:

• LPN: The practical nurse is educated to provide care to clients with less complex care needs and acuity as well as to clients with predictable outcomes. Practical Nurses provide care to individuals, families and groups in a variety of settings, including acute care, residential care facilities, long-term care facilities and at home. The practical nurse is responsible for applying the nursing process to meet the  outcome in the overall established plan of care and communicating changes in client health status to other health care professional as required. Practical Nurses work primarily as team members in all settings.
• RN: The registered nurse is educated to provide care to all clients, regardless of the characteristics of the client (e.g. age, acuity, complexity and variability), or the focus of the care activity (e.g., health promotion, palliation). Registered nurses care for individuals, families, groups, populations and communities in various settings, including tertiary hospitals, acute care, residential care facilities, longterm care and public health. Registered nurses using the nursing process develop the plan of care and work as independent practitioners and team members in all settings.

Only you can decide Practical Nursing is for you. However, persons interested in the practical nursing should posses the following characteristics/skills:

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Service Orientation – Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Reading Comprehension – Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

In May 2007, nationally, the median annual earnings of licensed practical nurses were $38,940. The lower 10-25% percent earned $ 27,370 to 32,310. Those upper 25% percent earned $45,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,160. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of licensed practical nurses in May 2007 were:

• Employment services                                  $43,700
• Nursing care facilities                                 $40,550
• Home health care services                          $40,440
• General medical and surgical hospitals         $37,790
• Offices of physicians                                   $34,820

Top paying industries:

• Activities Related to Real Estate $50,850
• Computer Systems Design and Related Services $49,340
• Insurance Carriers $44,180
• Employment Services $43,700
• Religious Organizations $43,490

In New York the average wage for this occupation ranges from a low (lower 10%) of $28, 240 to a high of $53, 750 (upper 10%), with a median of $39.270 and a mean annual salary of $41.500. depending on experience. Pay can be dramatically affected by factors such as size and type of industry, employee credentials, years of experience, etc. (http://www.bls.gov/)

Employment of LPNs is expected to grow about as fast as average through 2014 in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the general growth of health care services. Replacement needs will be a major source of job openings, as many workers leave the occupation permanently. Applicants for jobs in hospitals may face competition as the number of hospital jobs for LPNs declines; however, rapid employment growth is projected in other health care industries, with the best job opportunities occurring in nursing care facilities and in home health care services. In 2007, there were approximately 47,120 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses employed in NYS. It is estimated that in 2016 there will be 54,830 employed in NYS.

Yes. Students must achieve the “Basic level”(41.3-58%), on the TEAS V exam. (Test of Academic Skills V)

The program was approved July 2004 by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Approval by NYSED is the mandated requirement in order for graduates of the program to be eligible to sit for National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

At present the Practical Nurse Certificate Program is a fulltime program. There is no part-time schedule. All courses must be taken in sequence to complete the program within the scheduled 10 month period. Hours are scheduled as space is available (classroom, laboratories and clinical facilities), so the student may be scheduled for daytime and evening hours throughout the semesters. Future plans may include offering the program completely in the evening and on weekends at some later date.

Supervised clinical experiences are held at various long-term and acute care heath care facilities located in any of the NYC boroughs and Nassau County. Presently we are utilizing Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan.

The cost of the program is based on the current LaGuardia College tuition, which is one of the lowest college tuition in New York City. Contact the Admissions Office or the college website at www.lagcc.cuny.edu for current tuitions costs. Prospective students should meet with the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss financial needs when filing an Admission application to LaGuardia Community College.

The Department of Education has approved the Practical Nursing Certificate program for financial aid, therefore student enrolled in the Practical Nursing program are eligible to apply for financial aid. In view of the many hours that are required to be successful in an academic undertaking such as practical nursing, outside employment especial during the clinical phase of the program is discourage. Students should make every effort to seek financial aid as needed. The Financial Aid Office is located in C107.

A minimum of “C” in each Nursing theory course subject and a satisfactory evaluation for clinical and laboratory performance must be maintained. Student progress will be evaluated periodically by the faculty.
Students not maintaining “C“ or receiving unsatisfactory clinical performance will be counseled and placed on warning or probation. Grading policies for each course are included in course syllabi. Student earning “C-” or below in any required Practical Nursing coursework will not be allowed to progress in the program without raising the grade to the acceptable satisfactory level.
The following grading system is in effect for the clinical component:

93 – 100 = A
80 – 82.4 = B-
90 – 92.4 = A-
77 – 79.4 = C+
87 – 89.4 = B+
73 – 76.4 = C
83 – 86. = B
0 – 72.4 = F

All practical nursing students are required to purchase malpractice insurance. Applications for this insurance will be distributed prior to the start of the first clinical practical nursing course. A valid insurance policy is essential prior to the first clinical day and must be kept current throughout all clinical courses. Students must also complete a physical examination and provide documentation with appropriate immunizations to the program office.

Students must inform their clinical instructor of any change in health status (i.e. pregnancy, physical injury, or medical conditions that impairs physical function before accepting a 21 clinical assignment) Practical Nursing students are legally responsible for their actions during clinical experiences. (Elaboration included in the PN Student Handbook for each clinical course)

Aside from the malpractice insurance previously mentioned, students should be aware of the following expenses:

• Assessment Testing $320.00
• CPR Training $ 65.00
• Malpractice Insurance $ 36.50
• NCLEX-PN Review $200.00
• State Board Examination (NCLEX-PN) $335.00
• Textbooks $800.00 Uniforms/Supplies $100.00

*These are estimated expenses and are subject to change* 

The required courses include both Pre-clinical and clinical courses. See curriculum outline .