New Mexico is a unique state in that it has high percentages of Hispanic and Native American population, and this is reflected in its state culture. For example, a unique dialect of Spanish is spoken by many New Mexicans, and this dialect is a mixture of archaic Castilian Spanish from medieval times, Native American words, and English words. Thus, this form of Spanish is often unrecognizable to Spanish speakers from outside the state. If you live in this culturally-unique state and are seeking information about how to become an LPN in New Mexico, continue reading. You will find sections on LPN schooling programs in New Mexico, job duties of LPNs, New Mexico LPN licensing, as well as a list of different New Mexico schools at the very bottom of this page that may have various LPN programs or classes.
LPN Educational Courses/Programs: Basic Information
New Mexican LPN courses take advantage of both theoretical and practical education to teach students how to be LPNs. Theoretical education involves class work, usually both general education and nursing. Practical education includes labs and clinicals. The classes that students in New Mexico may be required to take may include regular classes like English or science, as well as nursing-specific classes such as pharmacology, maternal nursing, nutrition classes. Because of the amount of practical skills taught in class, labs will often accompany nursing classes to provide students with a safe environment to practice in; this type of environment would typically be supervised by an instructor. Eventually, they may begin clinicals, as well, which sometimes take place multiple times per weeks and gives students a chance to experience what being an LPN is like. Students may start out with light responsibilities during clinicals, taking care of patients’ basic needs, and gain responsibility at the same time that they continue to gain knowledge and skill through the course.
General Job Tasks for LPNs in New Mexico
LPNs in New Mexico work many different medical settings. The duties they perform while working in these settings vary widely, but some typical ones are presented. These duties may involved helping patients at their bedside, helping patients communicate with doctors, and taking measurements (although there may be other categories of duties than those mentioned here). Helping with baths, dressing, hygiene, and caring for wounds and changing bandages can all be categorized as bedside care. Listening to the patient’s comments and concerns and relaying that information to the doctor in charge of the patient, can fall under the category of monitoring the general status of a patient. Other tasks that can fall under this category include taking various medical measurements like vital signs, blood pressure, and other similar measurements. Other tasks may vary according to location but can include paperwork (such as billing insurance companies) and giving medication to patients. Supervision of aides and assistants also falls under this category. Finally, some tasks may require special education or licensing such as assisting with IV therapy or helping patients dialysis procedures.
Basic Licensing Information for LPNs in NM
New Mexico has several requirements in place through their LPN licensing process that LPN applicants must fulfill before becoming an LPN. General licensing information follows; however, for unique situations and for more comprehensive information about licensing in New Mexico, visit the New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) website.
First, applicants must have successfully completed a board-approved LPN program. Second, the student must request that a Certificate of Eligibility for Graduation or final transcript is mailed from the school the student graduated from to the NMBON. Second, the student must be fingerprinted and have a criminal history check done. This may require additional documents be included with the application for licensing if the student has a criminal record. Additional documentation may also be required if the student has had disciplinary action ever taken against him or her by a school. The student must also submit a fee with the application for LPN licensing. Finally, the student must register for and take the NCLEX exam. New Mexico has a graduate practical nurse permit (or GPN permit); this permit allows students who have successfully completed a practical nursing course to practice as an LPN while waiting to gain their actual license. In order to get a GPN, students must fill out a separate application and submit it with another fee. The employer wanting to hire the student as a graduate nurse must also send in a letter of verification of intent to hire and include the name and license number of the RN who will be directly supervising the graduate. The GPN expires six months from the date of application or when the NCLEX results are received.
New Mexico is a compact state; in other words, LPNs who live in another state that participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact but wish to work in New Mexico must have a nursing licensing from their resident state. They do not need to get a license from New Mexico in order to practice in New Mexico. Again, this is only for those living in another compact state. If nurses who wish to practice in New Mexico live in a state that is not a part of the compact, those nurses must obtain a New Mexico nursing license. Again, for more information, visit the NMBON website at nmbon.sks.com.
New Mexico: Colleges & Educational Institutions
You’ll find a list below of various colleges and educational institutions in New Mexico where you may be able to find LPN educational programs.
Central New Mexico Community College
525 Buena Vista Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 224-3000
Clovis Community College
417 Schepps Blvd, Clovis, NM 88101
(575) 769-2811
Dona Ana Community College
3400 S Espina St, Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 527-7500
Luna Community College
366 Luna Dr, Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 454-2500
New Mexico Junior College
5317 N Lovington Hwy, Hobbs, NM 88240
(575) 392-4510
New Mexico State University
1780 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88003
(575) 646-0111
Northern New Mexico College
921 N Paseo De Onate, Española, NM 87532
(505) 747-2100
Mesalands Community College
911 S 10th St, Tucumcari, NM 88401
(575) 461-4413
Pima Medical Institute
4400 Cutler Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
(800) 477-7462
Santa Fe Community College
6401 Richards Ave, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
(505) 428-1000
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