So you want to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) and launch your career in healthcare? Smart move! Let’s explore the ins and outs of earning your practical nursing qualification in the Atlanta area.
LPNs provide critical hands-on patient care under the direction of doctors and registered nurses. This career offers job stability, strong local demand, and tremendous personal reward.
As an LPN student, you’ll gain clinical skills like measuring vital signs, administering medications, changing dressings, and more alongside professional competencies to care for patients. Whether working in a hospital, doctor’s office, or long-term care facility, LPNs play a vital healthcare role.
This comprehensive guide answers all your questions about the training process, program options, costs, licensing steps and job search essentials to set you up for success. Time to get started!
What Does an LPN Do?
Let’s quickly overview the LPN role. As a licensed practical nurse you will:
- Monitor and record symptoms and health changes
- Perform routine procedures like drawing blood or administering medications
- Help patients with daily living activities like dressing, bathing and eating
- Communicate with doctors, registered nurses and other health professionals regarding patient needs
- Create patient care plans under RN supervision
- Educate patients and families on self-care post-discharge
It’s a varied and rewarding nursing career requiring strong technical skills combined with scientific knowledge and unwavering compassion. Now, how do you become one?
LPN Licensure and Certification Requirements in Georgia
All aspiring LPNs must complete an approved training program, pass the national exam and apply for state licensure in Georgia. Key steps are:
- Graduate from a Certificate or Diploma practical nursing program
- Pass a fingerprint/background check
- Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
- Submit a licensure application with necessary forms to the Georgia Board of Nursing
Once approved, you will receive your registered nursing license. This must be renewed every two years through the state board.
Some LPNs pursue additional certifications in specialities like pediatrics, oncology or gerontology. But a nursing diploma or certificate paired with your RN license is all you need to start working in Georgia.
Insider Tip #1: Start Preparing for the NCLEX as Soon as You Enroll
The NCLEX-PN is no joke! This comprehensive exam covers everything from pharmacology to medical ethics testing your clinical judgement and decision making skills.
With only 85 questions determining your fate, prep seriously starting day one of your program. Study guides, practice tests and in-person cram courses can all help set you up to pass on first try.
Pathways to Becoming an LPN in Atlanta
There are a few educational pathways to earning your practical nursing certification in Georgia. Common options are:
Certificate Programs
- Length: Roughly 12 months
- Format: Focused nursing curriculum concentrating exclusively on LPN skills/knowledge
- Graduates earn a certificate of completion
Diploma Programs
- Length: 15-24 months
- Format: Combines some general education like math or science alongside targeted LPN training
- Graduates receive a nursing diploma
Many accelerated LPN programs in Atlanta run as 10-12 month certificates due to limited prerequisites. This table compares public college certificate and diploma routes:
| Program | Length | Tuition | Accreditor | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | 16 months | $6,060 in-state; $11,910 out-of-state | ACEN | Associate degree |
| Atlanta Technical College | 12 months | $3,305 in-state; $6,609 out-of-state | COE | Certificate |
| College of Coastal Georgia | 12 months | $5,004 in-state; $10,824 out-of-state | ACEN | Certificate |
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Acronyms Breakdown
- ACEN: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- COE: Council on Occupational Education
When comparing schools, check accreditor reputation and graduate outcomes like licensure exam pass rates or job placements. Now let’s explore some top ranked Atlanta LPN programs in more detail.
Spotlight: Excellent LPN Training Options in the Metro
From Athens to Augusta, many reputable institutions offer LPN qualifications. Here are two standout picks:
Augusta Technical College
Augusta Tech offers an exemplary 20-month practical nursing diploma mixing web-based instruction with on-campus labs/clinicals for schedule flexibility.
The curriculum spans patient care concepts, body systems, pharmacology, geriatric and pediatric nursing. Dedicated faculty like Assistant Professor Donna Mulherin leverage decades of clinical experience in teaching roles to guide students. With small 8:1 student-teacher ratios, you receive individualized mentoring through the program’s duration.
Augusta’s practical nursing graduates consistently post 90%+ first-time pass rates on the national RN licensure exam–a true testament to the program’s rigor.
Lanier Technical College
Over in Oakwood, Lanier Technical College delivers an exemplary nursing education including a practical nursing diploma track.
Lanier Tech has the distinct advantage of operating an on-campus health science simulation center replicating hospital scenarios through programmed mannequins, realistic medical devices and virtual reality experiences. This high-tech training preps students for managing complex patient needs in real clinical environments.
Alongside advanced simulation center access, Lanier Tech practical nursing students complete supervised clinical rotations at area hospitals making for smooth workforce transitions post-graduation.
Insider Tip #2: Leverage Clinical Connections When Job Hunting
Both Augusta Technical College and Lanier Technical College partner with regional healthcare employers. These clinical relationships can help open doors as a new licensee. Keep in touch with preceptors or managers from clinical sites that interest you as future work options.
Make sure to get contact details for nursing supervisors, recruiters and other key decision makers at hospitals or facilities you train at. Shoot them a friendly email when you wrap up school sharing you’ll now be searching for local LPN roles and would value advice.
Essential Factors When Selecting an Atlanta LPN Program
All accredited programs must adhere to strict training standards. But subtle differences matter significantly in preparing you for licensure and job seeking. As you evaluate options, make sure to check:
-
Instructor to Student Ratios
- Lower ratios = more individual attention/mentorship
- Ideal ratios range from 8:1 to 10:1 students per instructor
-
Simulation Center Access
- Recreating hospital scenarios is invaluable real-world training
- Prioritize schools offering advanced simulation equipment/labs
-
Faculty Credentials & Experience
- Look for instructors boasting 5-10+ years of recent clinical expertise
- Nursing is an ever-evolving field so current practitioner perspectives are vital
-
Graduate Outcomes
- High graduate licensure pass rates demonstrate effective teaching
- Robust job placement assistance resources also add value
And never hesitate to ask schools about stats not readily posted! Transparency = confidence in program quality.
Comparing Public vs Private LPN Programs in Atlanta
Alongside Georgia’s public technical college options, several private practical nursing schools operate in the greater Atlanta area. What are the tradeoffs of public vs private institutions?
Public colleges tend to offer more affordable tuition rates and flexibility through part-time schedules. Graduation from an accredited public program also ensures credits could transfer towards a future RN degree.
Meanwhile private schools allow faster starts through accelerated intensive formats condensing 1-2 years of training into 9-18 months. Their career-focused curriculums skip general education requirements giving you quicker pathway to licensure.
Check out Atlanta Career Institute for an example private LPN program:
Atlanta Career Institute
- Program Length: 10 months
- Tuition: $17,000 total
- Format: Full-time accelerated schedule
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
Compare costs and timeline against public alternatives like Athens Technical College. Weigh factors like flexibility, accreditation strength and graduate job outcomes in choosing what works best for your situation.
LPN Licensure Exam Pass Rates
As referenced earlier, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test is mandatory for licensure. Analyzing a school or program‘s pass rate offers valuable insight into educational quality.
The table below summarizes first-time NCLEX pass rates for select Georgia LPN programs over the past three years:
| School | 2019 Pass Rate | 2020 Pass Rate | 2021 Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | 95% | 91% | 90% |
| Atlanta Technical College | 87% | 89% | 86% |
| College of Coastal Georgia | 92% | 94% | 96% |
| Augusta Technical College | 93% | 88% | 91% |
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Pass rates at or above 90% are ideal demonstrating the vast majority of graduates succeed at licensing after program completion. Rates in the high 80s percent still indicate solid curriculum and teaching quality.
Review historical NCLEX pass rates as one key metric determining how well a practical nursing program sets up graduates for success entering the healthcare workforce.
Insider Tip #3: Don’t Overlook Scholarship Options
Between tuition, textbooks, uniforms and program fees earning your LPN adds up quick. In Georgia several financial aid options exist helping offset practical nursing education costs.
Key scholarships and grants to consider include:
-
HOPE Career Grant: Need-based funding covers 100% tuition/fees for certificate/diploma programs strategically important to Georgia’s job market – including practical nursing tracks!
-
Foundation for Surgical Technology Scholarship: Offers $2,500 scholarships to LPN students in final year of surgical tech-focused training
-
National Black Nurses Association: Awards 15+ scholarships annually for minority nursing students including LPN/LVN tracks
Don’t let money obstacles derail your LPN dreams! Research all possible scholarships from third-parties, state/federal governments and individual schools when applying.
Let’s recap key steps to become a licensed practical nurse in the Atlanta area.
Roadmap to Becoming an LPN in Atlanta
Follow this checklist once deciding to pursue your practical nursing diploma or certificate:
1. Compare LPN program options in Atlanta
- Research schools and compare accreditation, teaching formats, clinical experiences offered and graduate outcomes
2. Submit program applications and required documents
- Have high school and any college transcripts, test scores, essay and immunization records ready
3. Apply early for financial aid and scholarships
- File your FASFA and research external funding sources; don’t assume aid isn’t available!
4. Prepare in advance for intense coursework
- Get family/friend support lined up, budget wisely and take time for self-care
5. Commit fully to skill-building during clinical rotations
- Be a sponge in your supervised hospital/facility rotations
6. Schedule NCLEX exam ASAP post-graduation
- Give yourself 6-8 weeks for intense studying beforehand
7. Polish your resume and start job networking
- Attend local hiring events and connect with department managers onsite during clinicals
8. Get licensed! Begin applying to open LPN roles in Atlanta
- Customize your nursing resume for each position highlighting specialized skills gained
Then enjoy launching your practical nursing career in this thriving city! Feel free to reach out if any other questions come up along your journey.
Wishing you tremendous success helping care for Atlanta’s communities. Now go get ‘em!