When you have made the decision to become an LPN, you have taken the first step towards having a rewarding career that will not only help you grow as a person, but will give you the chance to touch other people's lives while you are helping them. But before you can help them you need to find an LPN school that can give you the best education possible to make sure you are ready to take on the job.
As you begin looking at schools, you should consider their respect in the community. Some may be inexpensive, but also have a history of churning out inferior nurses as well. Some schools that are costly may help create some of the best nurses available, but the rate of graduates that can pass state licensing may be low. These are points you will need to consider before you apply for any school.
Another consideration is how much the LPN school is going to cost you per semester. Some schools will break it down based on credit hours you are taking, while others will charge for the training as a whole. For those on a limited budget, being able to take a minimum number of classes at one time can prove to be easier on the budget and allow you to become an LPN as you can afford it.
With that concept in mind, you also will want to understand the number of credits that you are getting for each semester you take. These credit hours can be applied further down the road if you choose to go beyond the LPN certification and work towards your RN. Some schools list these LPN courses as a single semester without credit for Biology and other topics. Be certain that your transcript will list each course attended while in the program.
Check the accreditation of any school you are thinking of attending as well. Not every school that offers these courses is accredited to offer the program in your state. This is especially the case when you begin looking online. To get certified in most states the courses you have taken before applying for your license must have been completed through an accredited school. Another reason a school needs to be accredited is if you choose to continue your education most colleges will not accept credits from any school that is not accredited.
Selecting the school that is right for you can be an exciting task. Make sure that you do your research and find the school that meets all your needs and gives you the best education for your money. A great LPN school will help you to begin the journey towards becoming an LPN.