A hot spot for political science, economic activity, and history, Washington, D.C. is not only the capital of the United States of America but also a capital for tourism. If you are a resident – not just a tourist – in Washington, D.C. and are considering the idea of becoming an LPN, continue reading. There are several sections of information. The first covers LPN education in Washington, D.C. The second describes the typical job duties of an LPN. The next section after that provides information on obtaining a Practical Nursing license in Washington, D.C., and the final section, located at the bottom of the page, lists some schools in Washington, D.C. that may offer practical nursing programs.
Learning to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): Basic Information
Washington, D.C. licensed practical nursing programs use both theoretical as well as practical educational methods. This is typically done through classrooms, labs, and clinicals, to educate the students to be competent LPNs. General education and nursing classes may both be required for students. These classes may include topics like maternal-child nursing, medical dosage, English, psychology, pharmacology, mental health nursing, and nutrition. Students may learn practical skills in labs that accompany some nursing classes, and they may practice these skills on special medical mannequins, or alternatively, on one another while an instructor supervises. Clinicals, which provide an opportunity for LPN students to learn nursing skills in a real-world environment, allow them to work in a typical medical setting where an Licensed Practical Nurse would actually work (such as a hospital) under close supervision. If a student is studying pediatric nursing, the clinical may reflect that by having the student work with a pediatric unit. Often, students will begin clinicals with lighter responsibilities and earn more responsibility as they progress through the course.
Common LPN Job Duties and Tasks
LPN workplaces are varied, and LPN duties/functions are even more so. LPNs may work at such locations as in-home healthcare services, children’s homes nursing homes, medical clinics, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. LPNs may perform many different tasks, including categories such as patient bedside care, monitoring the overall health status of patients, various miscellaneous duties, and duties requiring advanced skills. The first category, bedside care, may include tasks like dressing and bathing the patient and cleansing wounds and changing bandages. Providing help to the patient with personal hygiene may also be categorized under bedside care. LPNs who are involved with monitoring a patient’s health may take vital signs, like blood oxygen, pulse, blood sugar, blood pressure, temperature, and weight. Some miscellaneous duties may include supervising others, completing paperwork like insurance billing, and administering medications. LPNs may also establish a line of communication with the patient about their health and the healthcare they have received and send any concerns or comments that the patient has to the medical staff caring for the patient. Finally, advanced education and/or licensing may be required for tasks like assisting with dialysis and running IV therapy.
LPN Licensing Information in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has specific procedures in place for LPNs to be licensed. Some information about those procedures and requirements are provided below, but for full information and up-to-date fee amounts, visit the Washington, D.C. Board of Nursing (BON) website.
Applicants must first graduate from a practical nursing program that has been approved by the D.C. Board of Nursing (it’s a good idea to first check with the BON to find out if a school or programs is approved prior to enrolling). They also need to fill out an application and submit it, along with required fees. Along with the application they must submit two passport-type photos: 2-inches-by-2-inches with the applicant’s name printed on the back of the photos. Applicants will also need to be fingerprinted so they can undergo a criminal background check. Then, applicants need to register for the NCLEX exam; once registration is completed and the BON approves the application, the applicant will be authorized to test, allowing them to schedule a time to take the NCLEX. Upon passing the NCLEX and have satisfiying all other requirements, the BON may issue them a Practial Nursing license.
The NCLEX is a computer-based nursing test that most applicants for a Practical Nursing license in the United States must take. Each applicant receives a unique exam because the computer program responds to how the applicant answers questions; it chooses the next question according to the previous responses that the person taking the test submits. This means it also changes how many questions each applicant is asked, because it grades as it goes along and it is waiting for the applicant to reach a certain preset standard, not a minimum percentage amount. Thus, applicants may be asked over 200 or less than 100 questions. Applicants are generally allowed up to six hours to finish the test. Again, for the most up-to-date and comprehensive information, and for details on special situations, such graduating from a foreign nursing program, or applying with a criminal history, refer to the D.C. BON website online.
Washington D.C. – LPN Schools
The following schools listed below may offer LPN classes, programs, or schooling.
Capital Health Institute
7826 Eastern Ave Suite 515, Washington, DC, 20012
(202) 722 8830
Comprehensive Health Academy
1106 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 388-5500
University of the District of Columbia
4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC
(202) 274-7106
Radians College
1025 Vermont Avenue NW Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 291-9020
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