The Practical Nursing Diploma is designed to prepare individuals for careers as a Licensed Practical Nurse. The focus of the program will be patient care, customer service, critical thinking, assuming accountability and responsibility patient care and wellness.

Nursing Diploma

Licensed practical nurses (LPN) care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses.

• provide basic bedside care
• take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration
• prepare and give injections and enemas
• monitor catheters and IVs apply dressings and treat bedsores 
• monitor their patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments
• collect samples for testing
• perform routine laboratory tests
• feed patients
• record food and fluid intake and output
• assist with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene

Income Range

Median annual earnings of licensed practical nurses were $33,970 in May 2004.

Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of licensed practical nurses in May 2004 were:

• Employment services – $41,550
• Nursing care facilities - $35,460
• Home health care services - $35,180
• General medical and surgical hospitals - $32,570
• Offices of physicians - $30,400

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Employment Outlook

Long-Term Care - Employment of LPNs is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014 in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the general growth of health care services.

Hospitals - Employment of LPNs in hospitals is expected to continue to decline.

Home Health - Employment of LPNs is expected to grow much faster than average in home health care services.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Bureau of Labor Statistics 2004