Rochester, New York has traditionally had two nicknames celebrating it: the Flour City and the Flower City. It was known as the Flour City in the 1800’s because it was the largest flour-producing city in the United States then. It then became known as The Flower City because of the large amount of nurseries that were founded in Rochester. It still holds a Lilac Festival to this day celebrating that part of its history. If you come from this city and are interested in becoming an LPN in New York, continue to read for more information. The first section of information contains a description of LPN schooling programs in Rochester, the second section provides some job tasks that LPNs often do, and the third section gives information regarding Practical Nurse licensing in the state of New York. The last section lists some nursing schools in Rochester that may provide an LPN program. Lastly, if you live closer to NYC, you may want to read the NYC page on this site.

Becoming an LPN – Basic/General Information

Schooling programs for LPNs may be similar to Registered Nurse programs, from classrooms to labs to clinicals. LPN schooling programs in Rochester are required to be at least 9 months long, although many are longer than that. Students interested in LPN courses may need to take a pre-test and achieve a minimum score before they are allowed to enroll in a program. Once in a program, a student may have to take a variety of both fundamental and nursing-specific courses. This may be to ensure that students can read and write at a certain level, and that they also have had a certain amount math and science classes which may be essential as a foundation to some of the nursing courses. The courses that are nursing-specific may be on a broad range of topics from first aid to critical care nursing and courses that teach basic skills such as how to take blood pressure or record other types of medical information. Clinicals may be included in part of the schooling, and a student may go out to a medical setting like a hospital and be paired up with LPNs to get experience working with patients in an actual care setting.

Licensed Practical Nurse Job Duties in Rochester, New York

LPNs perform many job tasks in Rochester. They are may work underneath the supervision of a registered nurse or doctor, and their duties may be more practical than diagnostic. This means that they may spend time checking in on patients, collecting basic data, dealing with bandages (changing and checking them), caring for wounds that a patient may have from an injury or from surgery, and other various job duties. Some tasks may be common among most LPNs while other tasks may be specific to the job; an LPN who deals with patients in a hospital setting will likely have different day-to-day duties than LPNs who deal with patients in a doctor’s office or a private clinic. Regardless of where LPNs work, they may also be tasked with some administrative duties like entering information into computers, and possibly supervising aides or support staff. LPNs may also be responsible for ordering and organizing supplies, as well as maintaining an inventory count of current supplies and other office tasks.

LPN Licensing Requirements in New York

LPN applicants must meet specific requirements presented by the state of New York in order to be licensed and work as a Practical Nurse. The New York State Education Department requires LPN applicants are age 17 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and meet examination and education requirements. They must also complete courses on how to implement specific precautions (with barriers) for both HIV and Hepatitis B and implement infection control.

The education requirements for licensed practical nurses in New York include completing a program that is a minimum of 9 months long (or at least 2 semesters).  In addition to that, the program also needs to be approved by the State Education Department if it is within the state of New York (not all programs may have the proper recognition, so it makes sense to check with the New York State Education Department to find out if a program or school is approved before enrolling). LPN applicants must also take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Exam) for Practical Nurses and achieve a passing score.

For individuals who want to become a Licensed Practical Nurse without having to take NCLEX, New York offers a limited permit. The permit allows LPNs who do not take the NCLEX to work at one employer only. When applying for the limited permit, the individual must work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or doctor and also have an endorsement from the employer. After a person completes an LPN schooling program, their school must also verify that person’s education with the New York State Department. Each limited permit is valid for only one year and one employer; if the applicant decides to get a second job working as an LPN or changes employers, he or she needs to get a new permit for each employer.

More information about Practical Nurse licensing in New York, including fee amounts and special situations (such as obtaining nursing education in other states or in a foreign nursing program) is accessible online by visiting the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website.

Schools That May Offer LPN Schooling Programs in Rochester, NY

Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
161 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604
(585) 232-2730

Bryant & Stratton College
1225 Jefferson Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 292-5627

Monroe Community College
1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
(585) 292-2000

Isabella Graham Hart School
100 Kings Hwy S # 1200, Rochester, NY 14617
(585) 922-1784