Nursing is a sought-after field among young professionals, and for those who want to enter the healthcare workforce quickly, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is an excellent option. These skilled clinicians work under the supervision and direction of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians, carrying out a mix of clinical and administrative duties as they deliver exceptional patient care.
Completing an accredited practical nursing program is the first step toward a fulfilling career as an LPN in Columbia, SC. After earning their diploma, graduates will have the skills and knowledge they need to sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) and obtain their LPN license.
What Does an LPN Do?
LPNs are skilled healthcare providers who treat patients in hospitals, clinics, and various other settings. They provide support to physicians and registered nurses, often performing the following tasks multiple times each day:
Taking and recording patients’ vital signs, such as their blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature
Reporting information to other members of patients’ healthcare teams
Maintaining accurate patient charts and electronic health records (EHR)
Changing dressings on wounds
Administering medications
Feeding, bathing, and grooming patients as required
Following treatment plans set forth by patients’ doctors or registered nurses
Performing CPR in emergency situations
Collecting specimens for laboratory testing
Steps to Become an LPN in Columbia, SC
Aspiring LPNs in Columbia, SC, must complete an accredited nursing program, develop relevant nursing skills, and obtain licensure to enter the nursing profession. The Fortis College campus in Columbia has launched a Practical Nursing program and has begun the process to recruit the first classes of practical nursing students.
1. Complete a Training Program
College degrees are optional for LPNs, both in South Carolina and nationwide. Instead, a diploma program, such as a 15-month practical nursing training program, can prepare individuals for rewarding, in-demand LPN positions across the state. Practical nursing programs feature foundational courses in biology and anatomy as well as courses covering more specialized topics, such as pediatric nursing and obstetric nursing.
2. Develop Key Skills
Strong nursing skills are imperative to the delivery of quality patient care. Following are some of the most important nursing skills for LPNs:
Foundational Nursing Skills: Foundational nursing skills help LPNs provide the best possible care in a wide range of situations and scenarios. Being skilled at tasks that range from taking vital signs to changing dressings on wounds helps LPNs ensure their patients are safe and satisfied.
Attention to Detail: The ability to employ a detail-oriented approach to observing patients, their symptoms, and their medical records is essential for LPNs.
Communication Skills: LPNs work closely with other healthcare providers, including other nurses and physicians, and they may also need to answer questions from patients or their caregivers. This makes excellent communication skills a must.
Empathy and Compassion: Treating patients with compassion and empathy is vital to helping them feel as if their needs are being met. This is particularly true when delivering difficult medical news.
Teamwork Skills: LPNs work very closely with other medical professionals, including support staff, doctors, and management. The ability to work well as a team, sharing and tracking patients’ information, is crucial to successful patient outcomes.
Decision-Making Skills: LPNs must be able to make quick decisions under pressure in emergency situations. They need to be capable of surveying their surroundings and their patients’ current conditions and making decisions accordingly.
3. Apply for a South Carolina Nursing License
To obtain a license to work as an LPN in South Carolina, aspiring LPNs need to fill out the South Carolina Application for Licensure by Examination. It is recommended that students submit their application prior to completing their nursing program to reduce their wait time, though any associated application fees are nonrefundable.
Other requirements for obtaining an LPN license in South Carolina are passing the NCLEX-PN, passing a criminal background check, passing a drug test, and providing proof of completion (or imminent completion) of a state-approved nursing program.
South Carolina is a member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC) which means LPNs licensed in the state can apply for an optional multistate license through the South Carolina Board of Nursing that allows them to practice in any state that is a member of the NLC. As of June 2024, there were 42 jurisdictions in the NLC and seven states with pending NLC legislation.
LPN licenses expire and need to be renewed every two years on April 30 in South Carolina. Completing a minimum of 30 contact hours at an educational institution within that two-year period is one way to qualify for a renewed license.
4. Pass the NCLEX-PN
After submitting an application for licensure, future LPNs must sit for and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Applicants have three years from the date they complete their nursing program to pass the NCLEX-PN. Candidates who do not pass the exam within that time period must requalify by completing a nursing education program.
Job Outlook for LPNs in South Carolina
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) is projected to grow by 5% between 2022 and 2032, with about 54,400 job openings expected per year throughout the decade. Per data from Projections Central, employment of LPNs in South Carolina is projected to rise by 12.9% in the same time period.
Factors that are expected to drive the growth of the LPN profession well into the future include increased demands on the healthcare system as the baby boom population ages, a surge in the incidence of chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes, and the increasing populations in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.
Jump-Start Your Healthcare Career as an LPN in South Carolina
Practical nursing programs are more accessible and affordable than college degrees, making them popular among aspiring nurses who wish to enter the workforce quickly. These programs also serve as a solid foundation for pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and becoming an RN in the future.
If you are interested in becoming an LPN in Columbia, SC, Fortis College’s practical nursing program can prepare you for this lucrative, in-demand job. Discover how our 15-month program can give you the personal, clinical, and academic skills you need to succeed as a healthcare provider, both now and in the future.
Recommended Readings
LPN vs. RN: What’s the Difference?
What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Nurse?
What Are the Different Types of Nurses?