If you enjoy taking care of others, becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) could be the perfect career for you. As an LPN, you would provide basic personal care for patients, assisting them with tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. You would also provide basic medical care under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors, taking samples for tests, checking vital signs, and observing patients for symptoms. Additional tasks include changing bedding and bandages as well as giving medication to patients as needed.
To become an LPN, you first need to complete an educational program; typical programs usually take a year to a year and a half to complete. A few programs take two years, though upon completion, you’ll be eligible to begin your career with employers like the Washington Hospital Center or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Following completion of the program, you must also pass an exam to become licensed.
If you’re interested in becoming an LPN in the Washington, DC, area, use the list below to choose the program that’s right for you.