LPN Programs in Alabama

State Info

Alabama is one of the best states to work in as an LPN as there are a growing number of job opportunities in this area. This is because the advances in the technology related to nursing have resulted in the need for more and more healthcare professionals who are trained in these modern procedures.

In addition the life expectancy rate has also increased greatly, meaning that there is a higher demand for LPN nurses to work in the area of geriatric care.

There are many different areas in which an LPN in Alabama can work, as well as flexible working hours in good working conditions. And, because LPN nurses are in such high demand in Alabama, there are often incentives and benefits offered by employers to attract LPN nurses to their institute and to keep them there. From the 81 hospitals in Alabama, approximately 235 nursing facilities and hundreds of physician offices, you should be able to find a job in Alabama that suits you. Of the nursing population in Alabama, LPN nurses make up 26% of this number and are in increasing demand.

In terms of job security and life satisfaction, LPNs working in Alabama are in a very good position. However, as far as this is concerned, RN nurses are in a much better position, so it is recommended that you treat your LPN qualification as a stepping stone to achieving your RN degree. There are a large number of educational institutions in Alabama that provide LPN training and many of them have financial aid options in place.

Licensing Requirements

To work as an LPN you need to have the necessary licensing requirements. As these differ from state to state it is very important that you take note of what the specific requirements for Alabama are before continuing.
Licensing requirements to be an LPN in Alabama are as follows:

Educational Requirements:

• You must have completed an LPN program that is approved by the State Nursing Board of Alabama
• You must have passed the national licensing exam
• You need to have a high school diploma
• You need to have a clear criminal record and a good ethical reputation

Transferring

There are several states that form a Nursing Licensure Compact (LPN). These states automatically accept nurses from other states as long as they have the minimum requirements for being an LPN. However, Alabama does not belong to this compact. If you plan to transfer from one state to another you will be able to apply to the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Fees

As with anything that you will study, an LPN qualification comes at a price. There are a few fees that you will have to pay.

• application fee for the state of Alabama: $85
• examination fee for the state of Alabama: $200
• yearly renewal fee in the state of Alabama: $75
• fee for reviving an expired license in the state of Alabama: $120

Salaries

Once you have an LPN qualification you will be able to move on to becoming an RN or a BSN. Consequently it is well worth your while to know what the salary for all three positions is.
Although your LPN salary will differ slightly depending on what sector you choose to work in, the average salaries tend to be as follows for LPN, RN and BSN nurses working in Alabama.

Financial Aid Available

If financial constraints are holding you back, then never fear. There are plenty of opportunities for getting a scholarship if you hope to do your LPN training in Alabama. You simply need to take the time to make the right inquiries. There are plenty of grants and scholarships that you could apply for through the school that you are hoping to study with or from the state of Alabama itself.

Make sure that you have a good idea of all of the organizations and schools that offer scholarships in Alabama and then make sure that you apply for them all. The more scholarships you apply for the more likely you are to actually get one. Don’t be shy. If anything, applying for many scholarships makes it clear that you are someone who knows what they want out of life and that you are willing to work to get it. You may also already be working in the healthcare industry, perhaps as a CNA or in some other position.

If you are already employed at a health care organization and would like to train to be an LPN, a good way to start is to approach your current employer and ask them if they are willing to subsidize your fees, or even cover the entire cost of your training. Many organizations would be thrilled to have another LPN on board who is aware of all of the procedures and practices in that organization as this should ensure greater quality of work once they are employed. Make sure that you explore all avenues that are open to you before giving up on an LPN qualification s being too expensive. You may have to work for about a year as an LPN for your current employer before moving on, but this is fair if they are paying for your studies. If you try hard enough you will be able to find a way to do your LPN training at absolutely no cost to yourself.

The following providers are known to provide scholarships and financial aid:

Alabama Southern Community College LPN Course
Thomasville Campus
Thomasville, Al

Bevill State Community College
Hamilton Campus
Hamilton, Al

Bishop State Community College
Mobile, Al

Calhoun Community College LPN Training Program
Decatur Campus

Central Alabama Community College
Childersburg Campus

Gadsden State Community College
McClellan Campus
Anniston, Al

Lawson State Community College LPN Training
Bessemer Campus

Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Shelton State Community College
Main Campus (Martin)
Tuscaloosa, Al

Wallace State Community College
Eufaula (Sparks) Campus

Wallace State Community College
Hanceville Campus

List of Schools

There are several different schools to choose from when looking for an LPN school in Alabama. Below is a list of the schools that can be found in Alabama along with their addresses and phone numbers.

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GEORGE C. WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-DOTHAN

1141 Wallace Drive
Dothan 36303
334-983-3521, ext. 332

GEORGE C. WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-HANCEVILLE

P.O. Box 2000
Hanceville, AL 35077-2000
256-352-8198

ALABAMA SOUTHERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P.O. Box 2000
Thomasville, AL 36784
251-575-3156, ext. 238

BEVILL STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1411 Indiana Ave.
Jasper, AL 35501
1-800-648-3271, ext. 5350

BISHOP STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1365 Martin Luther King Drive
Mobile, AL 36603
251-405-4497

CALHOUN COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P.O. Box 2216 Decatur, AL
35609-2216
256-306-2795

CENTRAL ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

34091 US Highway 280
Childersburg, AL 35044
256-378-5576, ext. 6581

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2602 College Drive
Phoenix City, AL 36869
334-291-4925

DRAKE STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

3421 Meridian Street North
Huntsville, AL 35811
256-551-3148

FAULKNER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1900 U.S. Hwy 31 South Bay
Minette, AL 36507
251-580-2293

HERZING COLLEGE

280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 916-2800

JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

2601 Carson Road
Birmingham, AL 35215
(205) 856-7940

LAWSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – BESSEMER CAMPUS

P.O. Box 308
Bessemer, AL 35201
205-428-6391, ext. 305

LURLEEN B. WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE-MACARTHUR CAMPUS

P.O. Drawer 910
Opp, AL 36467
334-493-3573, ext. 275

NORTHEAST ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P.O. Box 159
Rainsville, AL 35986

NORTHWEST SHOALS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

800 George Wallace Blvd.
Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
256-331-5337

REID STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

P.O. Box 588
Evergreen, AL 36401
251-578-1313, ext. 124

SHELTON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

9500 Old Greensboro Road
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
205-391-2457

SNEAD STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

P.O. Box 734
Boaz, AL 35957-0734
256-840-4185

SOUTHERN UNION STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1701 LaFayette Pkway
Opelika, AL 36801
334-745-6437, ext. 5510

TRENHOLM STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

1225 Air Base Blvd.
Montgomery, AL 36108
334-420-4415

Remember that if you want to avoid wasting your time and money it is essential that you make sure that the school you eventually decide to study with is accredited by the Alabama state board of nursing. This information can be confirmed by contacting the state board.

Major Topics to be Covered in Class

Of course the different schools in Alabama will differ slightly in the curriculum that they offer. However there are several basic topics that will most probably be covered in all LPN schools in Alabama. They are:

• Psychology
• Pediatric nursing
• Physical sciences
• Nursing care for the elderly
• General adult nursing
• Maternity nursing
• Pharmacology

With any LPN course in any state you will be required to complete two parts of the training, one part being theoretical and other part being hands-on practical work.

Job outlook

In most states the job outlook for LPN nurses looks extremely good. This is because this line of work is growing so rapidly that the job openings are always increasing. It is a very good line of work to get involved in especially as you will always find it easy to find a job if you have an LPN qualification.