February 09, 2007
by Jessica Santina
Local Education Columnist
According to the Connecticut League for Nursing, the state of Connecticut will need about 11,100 new nurses by the year 2010. While the nursing shortage is nationwide, the need is particularly great in Connecticut, which until recently had more aspiring nurses than it could educate.
While nursing programs are beginning to rebound in Connecticut, recruiters from healthcare organizations are using some interesting methods to entice future nurses.
- According a report by HealthLeaders Media, nursing program graduates in Connecticut can generally expect a starting salary of around $50,000--not including overtime pay, which many employers offer.
- Aside from a great salary, nursing's perks often include flexible schedules; some nurses can actually choose the shifts they want. Plus, many employers will pay for continuing education--say, an LPN-to-RN program. And many hospital employers are offering recruits the ability to choose which area of the hospital they want to work in.
- Gifts never hurt. New Britain General Hospital in New Britain, Connecticut has been known to offer free iPods to nursing recruits simply for interviewing.
The Associated Press reported this past June that about 90 percent of Connecticut's nursing students already had jobs lined up before graduation. Completing a Practical Nursing program in Connecticut is one of the best steps you can take toward a secure and surprisingly profitable future.
The Facts about LPNs
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works directly under the supervision of a physician or registered nurse, to administer nursing care. LPNs are found in hospitals, physicians' offices, nursing care facilities, and home health care services. Their duties range from basic bedside care--taking temperatures, blood pressure or vital signs--to giving injections, cleaning wounds, performing lab work, feeding or bathing patients, or even administering medications.
In home health settings, LPNs may help patients prepare meals or instruct family members in simple nursing tasks. In some cases, they may even help deliver or care for infants. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that median annual earnings for LPNs in 2004 were $33,970, but in nursing care facilities and home health care services, they are often higher.
The Practical Nursing Program
Practical Nursing programs can generally be completed in a year. So with a minimal investment, graduates can begin working quickly. Students in LPN programs learn anatomy, physiology, medical-surgical nursing concepts, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, how to administer drugs, nutrition, and first aid. Plus, should you decide later on to earn a Registered Nurse (RN) designation, LPN-to-RN programs only take about 12 to 18 more months to complete, and you'll have the experience under your belt to go along with it.
So if you're considering a career move, an LPN goes a long way in Connecticut.
Sources
About the Author
Jessica Santina is a freelance writer with a background in media and marketing. She also teaches first-year writing courses at the University of Nevada, Reno.
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