Do I Need to Take an LPN Refresher Course?
If you have made the decision to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, you may already know that you will be required to complete continuing education coursework from time to time. However, did you know that there may be times when you will need to take an LPN refresher course as well? But exactly what are LPN refresher courses, and why would you need to complete them? You will find the answers to these questions in the section below.
What Are LPN Refresher Courses?
Just like many other occupations today, a career as a nurse also evolves over time so that s/he can keep up with the demands of an ever-changing society. LPN refresher courses are designed to serve two purposes: to keep LPNs abreast of changes in the medical field and to refresh the skills of LPNs who have been out of practice.
Changes in the medical field typically include such things as new types of medication, new treatment methods, and advances in medical technology. Since these changes can vary from year to year, LPN refresher courses often change from one year to another. What this means is that what you learn one year may be outdated the next year.
Who Needs to Take LPN Refresher Courses?
Now that you know what LPN refresher courses are, you may be wondering whether or not you will need to take them. In some cases, you will be required to complete a refresher course by your state's board of nursing, while in other cases, your employer will require you to do so. In either case, you will need to complete a refresher course from time to time. The following groups of LPNs in particular need to complete refresher courses.
- LPNs Whose Licenses Have Lapsed
- LPNs Whose Licenses Are Inactive
- LPNs Whose Licenses Are Inactive Due to Disciplinary Action
- LPNs Whose Licenses Have Been Suspended
- Nurses Ordered to Update Their Skills by Their State's Board of Nursing
- Nurses Ordered to Update Their Skills by Their Employers
- LPNs Who Wish to Refresh Their Skills
Where Can I Find LPN Refresher Courses?
If you need to take an LPN refresher course, you can choose to complete your coursework in a local community college, trade school, or online. However, it is essential to note that if you choose to complete your refresher course online, you will still need to fulfill the clinical requirements of the course in a local medical facility.
The amount of time it will take you to complete your refresher course depends on the course you need to complete and whether you are given the option of studying part-time. In any case, you must complete the theoretical portion of your course and your clinical portion within at least a year of beginning the course.
