New Jersey is in acutely short supply of health care professionals and employees just like all the other states in the Unites States. On the one hand, this is bad news for the state's elderly citizens and others in need of medical care. On the other hand, this is good news for individuals looking for practical nursing careers in New Jersey.
A lot of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers in the state of New Jersey have been sending ads about their intent to hire Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). Although these opportunities are for everybody, certain qualifications need to be met by an individual wishing to apply. First, you need to pass the licensure exam for practical nurses. Passing a board exam in another state won't exempt you from this very basic rule. Since New Jersey is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) you cannot apply for licensure through reciprocity. The second step towards becoming an LPN is to complete a training program which includes classroom-based learning and hands-on clinical practice. The classroom learning consists of learning and memorizing a lot of medical terminology as well as basic nursing concepts and theories. The other part of the training is purely hands-on experience in an actual medical facility. You will be assigned to a clinic or hospital where you will practice actual nursing skills under the supervision of a nurse educator.
The content of the training basically consists of skills that need to be mastered by an LPN before entering the workforce. The core areas of study include nutrition, obstetrics, pharmacology, proper hygiene for the elderly, pediatrics, math and science. Sufficient and substantial trainings will not, of course, guarantee a permanent position. But it will definitely give you a greater chance of getting employed.
In the state of New Jersey, an LPN can find work in a variety of counties and cities, usually in a hospital or nursing facility. Current openings include a general LPN position offered by Senior Lifestyle Corporation in Jackson NJ. This company operates a skilled nursing facility for elderly patients and are currently hiring LPNs to care for their residents. Another opportunity exists in Teaneck through Starlight Pediatric Homecare Agency, a nurse staffing agency specializing in LPN placement throughout New Jersey. Sometimes, your job assignment will take you miles away from your home if you are a travel nurse. Traveling nurses enjoy the benefits of seeing the country but miss out on having a local life in a given city. Once you gain a few years of experience you will have greater control over the types of employment positions that you can obtain. Furthermore, a New Jersey LPN can expect to earn between $29,000 to $36,000 per year.
Lastly, and most importantly, landing an LPN position does not signify the end of the road in your professional career. In fact, a practical nursing post is a perfect stepping stone for more financially rewarding regular nursing careers. If you wish to become a clinical instructor you can pursue specialization courses to achieve this. You might also choose to pursue a post-graduate degree to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in one particular field within nursing.
Interested in pursuing a career as a Licensed Practical Nurse in New Jersey? View current list of approved LPN programs in New Jersey and contact individual schools for more information.
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