Practical Nursing Program

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Program Faculty

The LSU Shreveport Practical Nursing program prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) who provide quality professional nursing care to clients in hospitals, physician’s offices and clinics, long-term care facilities or wherever professional nursing services are required. LPNs are directly involved in providing basic patient care and ensuring that patients are comfortable and well cared for. There will be times when an LPN administers certain medications and performs other duties such as taking blood pressure, inserting catheters and recording other vital signs. Students work under the direction of a licensed physician, dentist, ophthalmologist, 
psychologist, or registered nurse. 

Legal Definition of the Practice of Practical Nursing

“The practice of practical nursing means the performance for compensation of any act, not requiring education, training and preparation required in professional nursing, in the care, treatment or observation of the ill, injured or infirm, and for the maintenance of the health of others and promotion of health care, including the administration of medication and treatments in or on-the-job training or supervising licensed practical nurses, subordinate personnel or instructing patients consistent with licensed practical nurse’s education and preparation, under the direction of a licensed physician or dentist acting individually or in his/her capacity as member of a medical staff, or under a registered nurse. The licensed practical nurse may perform any of the forgoing duties, and with appropriate training may perform additional specified acts which are authorized by the Louisiana Board of Practical Nurse Examiners when directed to do so by the licensed physician, dentist, psychologist, and ophthalmologist acting individually or in his/her capacity as a member of the medical staff, or under a registered nurse.”

Mission

Faculty of LSUS Practical Nursing Program believe that each person is a unique individual comprised of body, mind, and spirit; but that the whole is more than the sum of all parts. Each person has great potential to expand their knowledge, skills, and love for one self and others. Each person is capable of making decisions about their lives and understands the influence of the culture and society that aides in the decision-making process.

The philosophy of the Practical Nursing program is consistent with the philosophy of the Louisiana State University in Shreveport. The program maintains the highest standard in teaching and clinical training to ensure all graduates can meet the needs of the health care community. Upon completion of the program, the student will demonstrate:

• Knowledge and skills necessary to function effectively as an acceptable entry-level member of the health care team, within the scope of practice allowed by Louisiana law. 
• Utilization of the nursing process, technical and communication skills in a variety of settings while caring for clients throughout the life cycle. 
• Knowledge of the scope and limitations of the practical nurse in order to render safe and effective care. 
• Proficiency in nursing interventions, which reflects decisions based on critical thinking and assessment of client needs. 
• Recognition of the responsibility of maintaining professional growth. 
• Acknowledgement of the steps necessary in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Louisiana. 
• Acquire and retain employment as a practical nurse.

Admission Procedure

The Day Program is a 12 month program (3 semesters) in which class is Monday - Friday from 8:00am -4:00pm with the exception of Clinical Rotations 6:45am -3:15pm. Students seeking admission or readmission to the LSUS Licensed Practical Nursing Program may obtain an application form from the Nursing Department located on campus in the Technology Center, room 141 or online at LSUS.EDU. Students should complete the application and return it to the Nursing Department Office Room 141 by the set deadline date for classes. A nonrefundable application fee of $20 is required for admission. Applicants are required to take a placement/skills test administered prior to admission. Students can contact Office of Continuing Education at LSU Shreveport for more information about this test. Selection for enrollment is on a competitive basis due to regulations issued by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. For classwork, the student/teacher ratio is 50:1 and during clinical training, the student/teacher ratio is 10:1.

Records pertaining to admission become part of the student’s official record and will be shared with the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. 

Applications for admission must include the following:

• Official high school diploma transcript with raised seal or proof that student has obtained a GED mailed directly from school or Board of Education.
• Official college/university transcripts from which the student has attended.
• Official scores on approved standardized tests with minimum scores achieved and not older than three years:

The tests above can be taken at any testing facility. The Accuplacer (next generation) test is offered here at LSUS in the Testing Center in Continuing Education. Contact Ceceila Autry at (318) 798-4177 to schedule a test date. 

Fingerprints (no more than 3 months prior admission).

• Copies of official birth certificate or passport with raised seal, verified by staff.
• Proof of immunizations, urine drug screen, including influenza and hepatitis vaccination.
• A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant report of a physical examination less than 12 months old summarizing overall health status. 
• Applicants must provide copies of course documents for any type of criminal activity and arrest. Evidence of not currently serving under any court imposed order of supervised probation, work-release, school release or parole in conjunction with any felony conviction(s), plea agreement or any agreement pursuant to the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 893 may be requested.
• One page double-spaced typed essay on why you would like to attend LSUS and why you want to be a nurse.
• Complete all necessary paperwork required by the LPN board.
• Copy of a driver’s license or state issued ID.
• Participate in an Admissions Interview scheduled by nursing staff.

Once admitted to the program students are expected to adhere to rules and regulations set forth by LSUS and the healthcare facilities visited throughout the clinical portion of the program. In addition, once students are admitted to the program, any subsequent action, arrest, criminal or conviction or impairment requires the immediate notification to the LSBPNE via the Program Director and/or the Program Coordinator.

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