The Synchronous Converter

A licensed practical nurse is a healthcare professional who can work independently or under the supervision of a registered nurse. It is common for a licensed practical nurse to work in a team which consists of a certified nurses’ aide, a practical nurse, and a registered nurse. While the main responsibility of a licensed practical nurse is to provide basic nursing care to patients, other important duties include to guide and supervise certified nurses’ aides, and closely work with and report to registered nurses. Other responsibilities of licensed practical nurses include: assessment of the client, checking vital signs, administering medications, measuring intake and output, starting and monitoring IVs, inspection and changing of dressings, caring for pressure ulcers and helping patients with ambulating and changing positions.

Kansas law requires that a licensed practical nurse shall have graduated from an approved school of practical nursing or professional nursing in the United States or its territories or from a school of practical nursing or professional nursing in a foreign country which is approved by the board. LPNs must have obtained other qualifications not in conflict with this act as the Board may prescribe by rule or regulation. LPNs must file with the board a written application for license. If the Board finds in evaluating any applicant that such applicant is deficient in qualification or in the quality of such applicant’s educational experience, the board may require such applicant to fulfill such remedial or other experience as the board may prescribe. The board shall issue a license to a licensed practical nurse that meets the preceding qualifications for qualification and licensure, passed a written exam as required by the board and has no disqualifying factors under KSA 65-1120 and amendments thereto.

LPN degrees in Wichita are offered by the Wichita State University School of Nursing. Wichita State University School of Nursing has contacts with 100 clinical agencies in Wichita and surrounding communities. Wichita is a major health care referral center and clinical facilities for essentially all specializations are available and are used by both undergraduate and graduate nursing students. The School of Nursing offers a plan to assist licensed practical nurses in obtaining a Bachelor of Science in nursing degree. The applicant must be a licensed practical nurse in order to apply to this program. The program admission requirements include: be licensed as a practical nurse in Kansas, have the equivalent of 1000 hours of clinical practice as an LPN within the past year, an interview/demonstration may be required to assess clinical skills, develop a plan for completing prerequisite courses, develop a plan for completing prerequisite courses, achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better in all college course work and achieve C’s or better in all college course work, submit an application to the School of Nursing one semester before enrolling in the nursing curriculum. Returning adults who do not meet these criteria may be eligible on the basis of recent academic achievement according to selection criteria. Students are admitted to the program in the Fall and Spring semesters.