LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
An LPN is a vital part of the healthcare system and is responsible for providing patients with essential care, which includes helping them to eat, dress, bathe, etc. They also assist Registered Nurses (RNs) and Doctors in keeping detailed records, maintaining clear communication between the entire care team and working with patients and their families to understand procedures and how to care for sick relatives.
Salary in St. Louis
Entry level salary: $35,060
Average salary: $41,180
Employment Projection in St. Louis
2016 Employment: 5,220
2026 Projected Employment: 5,874
Licensed Practical Nurse Facts
What they do: Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
On the job you would:
- Administer prescribed medications or start intravenous fluids, noting times and amounts on patients’ charts.
- Observe patients, charting and reporting changes in patients’ conditions, such as adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Answer patients’ calls and determine how to assist them.
Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Negotiation — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Complete a state-approved licensing or diploma program in practical nursing. LPN programs usually takes 1 year to complete depending on the school. For more information on the difference in getting a degree in practical nursing or a diploma, please see, Should I get a degree or diploma?
In addition to the education requirements you must fulfill, you must also take the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). For more information click here.
CNA Challenge: Receiving approval to challenge means that individuals who meet special criteria (listed below) are not required to take the entire certified nurse assistant course but rather will be allowed to take just the final examination (written and practical) to become a CNA in Missouri.
Students who have completed a nursing program outside of the United States and who are awaiting licensure must submit the following documentation:
- A copy of out of country license or certificates
- A copy of out of country criminal background check translated to English
License in Practical Nursing Programs
St. Charles Community College[ii]
Diploma in Practical Nursing Programs
St. Louis College of Health Careers[iii]
For more Missouri Approved Programs of Practical Nursing, click here[iv].
[i] http://www.appliedtech-stl.com/
[ii] https://www.stchas.edu/academics/departments/Practical-Nursing
[iii] https://slchc.edu/academics/programs/diplomas/practical-nursing-diploma/
[iv] https://pr.mo.gov/boards/nursing/schoolsofnursing.pdf