How to Become an LPN in Florida

Careers in healthcare are a practical choice. There will always be a demand for them, and you get to earn a living by helping others and improving their quality of life. However, not everyone has the time, desire, or resources to become a doctor or a nurse practitioner. Fortunately, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) provides a viable option for those who want to fast-track their career. But, what exactly does an LPN do on a daily basis? And, how do you become one in Florida?

What is an LPN?

An LPN is a healthcare professional who works as an assistant to a doctor and/or provides care under the supervision of a registered nurse. Specifically, you’d take care of basic nursing duties anywhere healthcare services are provided — such as a hospital, emergency room, doctor’s office, university clinic, residential care facilities, hospice, or patients’ homes.

Another benefit to having a myriad of settings in which to work as an LPN, is that the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for licensed practical nurses is expected to grow 9% in the next decade — which is a much faster trend than for many other occupations. This is especially true as the Baby Boomer population ages. Keep in mind, however, that the position is becoming more prevalent in home healthcare and retirement communities.

What does an LPN do?

The duties of an LPN may vary depending on your employer. However, some of the responsibilities you can expect to do on a daily basis include:

Taking vital signs
Ensuring patient comfort
Administering medications per physician’s orders
Reporting the status of patients to doctors or nurses
Dressing changes
Feeding tubes
Inserting and irrigating NG tubes and Foley catheters
Ventilation and tracheostomy care
Suctioning endotracheally
Wound care
One-on-one care in a home environment
Patient education

How to Become an LPN in Florida

To become an LPN, you have to graduate from an accredited practical nursing program. You can apply for one at either a community college or technical school. The curriculum includes courses in nursing and science, and you have to complete a supervised clinical practice. Altogether, it usually takes about a year to complete all required credits. If you have to attend part-time, it may take between 18 months to two years. In order for the program to be accepted by the Florida Board of Nursing, it must be one of the following:

A Florida-approved or accredited LPN education program
An Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education-accredited nursing program that has been issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN
An LPN education program that is approved by the jurisdiction in which it is based and that has been issued an NCLEX code by the NCSBN
A military LPN education program that has been issued an NCLEX code by NCSBN
A non-NCSBN jurisdiction — such as Puerto Rico or an international nursing education program — that the Board determines to be equivalent to an approved program

Once you receive an LPN certification, you are required to take an examination known as the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN). When you pass it, you then submit an application for an LPN license with the Florida Board of Nursing. When doing so, you must include the applicable fee, as well as schedule an appointment for Livescan electronic fingerprinting. An application specialist will review your documents and may request additional information. The review process can take between five and seven days, and you have to renew your license every two years. Once you are licensed, you can apply for jobs as an LPN.

If You’re Looking for A Career as an LPN, Contact Sonas for Home Health Care

If you’re a Licensed Practical Nurse licensed in the state of Florida, and you’re looking for career opportunities in a home health care setting, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our careers page, contact us at (888) 592-5855, or email us for more information.

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.