CIS 101 REASERCH PROJECT

Prepared for Teacher name

David Kampmann

Prepared by
Lisa Cunnington
LPN

April 14, 2010

Lisa Cunnington
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 LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSING IS A PROMISING CAREER

Nurses perform a variety of different jobs. Licensed Practical Nurses deal with the patient

first. So they are in charge of getting blood pressure, taking temperatures, measuring weight and

height of the patients. They also give injections, dress wounds and they help with bathing and

dressing the patients. They help in so many ways. It’s almost like they become a form of your

mom from when we were young children. Nurses are there to help feed you, to entertain you, to

be there for whatever comforts the patient may need. Nurses also work directly under doctors

and must follow doctor’s orders for treatment of the patient. They have to follow it exactly or

something could go terribly wrong. Basically they are the doctor’s assistant and they better get

everything right.

Schooling Required For LPN

Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) is the beginning to nursing. LPNs are collaborative

members of the health care team. Most of the time working under supervision of RNs (registered

nurses) and physicians. LPN schooling usually consists of one year to eighteen months of

schooling to get your diploma. Nursing students learn about anatomy, medicines, customer

service skills, and dealing with crisis situations.

As of 2004, there were 1,200 different programs available for getting a Practical Nurse
Degree. Most of these programs are available through vocational and technical schools or
from community colleges and junior colleges. The majority of these programs take one
year to complete. Typical classes required for a Practical Nurse/LPN diploma include
physiology, anatomy, pediatrics, medical-surgical nursing, drug administration,
psychiatric nursing, first aid, and nutrition.
Employment of LPNs is expected to grow by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018, much
faster than the average for all occupations, in response to the long-term care needs of an
increasing elderly population and the general increase in demand for healthcare services.
<http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm>

Lisa Cunnington
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 According to the South Dakota Department of Labor, there is a projected increase of 25.4
percent in the number of healthcare workers needed between the years of 2006 and 2016.
As healthcare facilities face this increased need in providers, they are also looking at a
shrinking pool of potential replacements. In South Dakota, between 2010 and 2025, the
percentage of potential workers (ages 15-64) is projected to decrease by 4.4 percent.
According to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the number of
high school graduates will decrease by 16.5 percent between 2001/02 and 2017/18. While
the number of youth in South Dakota slowly decreases, the percentage of those of
retirement age (age 64 and up) increases drastically. The South Dakota State Data Center
indicates an increase of 58 percent among those of retirement age. None20-29.9
When You Are Done With School

After you have earned your diploma or degree, you must find a job. If you plan on moving up the

career ladder you are required to first work six months in a clinic or in the Intensive Care Unit.

Then you can move on to many different opportunities. The opportunities in the healthcare field

are infinite. The salary is also decent.

Nurses Make Good Money

Median annual wages of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses were $39,030
in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,360 and $46,710. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $28,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $53,580.
Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of licensed
practical and licensed vocational nurses in May 2008 were:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm>

Today in 2010 the average starting salary for a LPN is $47,000-$50,000. After a few

years of experience that level goes up to around $67,000. The most recently published report on

nurses salaries reported the highest to be $137,000, for an anesthesiology nurse. So schooling

pays off in the end. There are so many things you can do with your life after school. Obtaining a

nursing degree or diploma is just a small beginning to a bright future.

Lisa Cunnington
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 REFERENCES
US Government “Occupational Outlook Handbook” 2010-11 edition “LPN Earnings”
Last Revised December 17, 2009 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm

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 Average Salaries For LPN

United States Hourly $13.59 $16.04 $18.77 $22.46

Yearly $28,300 $33,400 $39,000 $46,700
South Dakota Hourly $12.64 $13.77 $15.49 $17.74
Yearly $26,300 $28,600 $32,200 $36,900

$50,000.00
$45,000.00
Avg. Salaries
$40,000.00

$35,000.00
$30,000.00 United States Hourly
$25,000.00 United States Yearly
$20,000.00 South Dakota Hourly

$15,000.00 South Dakota Yearly

$10,000.00
$5,000.00
$0.00
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