Growing STEM: Rhodes State College offers certificate program to earn LPN

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - There are multiple levels of nursing that someone can earn, depending on what kind of care they would like to provide for patients. One of those levels is a Licensed Practical Nurse or LPN, and students at Rhodes State College can become an LPN with the college's Practical Nursing Certificate Program.

Those who earn an LPN would work under the direction of medical professionals to provide care like assessments, IV therapy, and administering medication. Rhodes State's program offers students a chance to learn about different areas that they could work in as an LPN.

"The first semester is basically just a rundown of what it is, the second semester would be Med-Surg (medical-surgical), and the third semester would be OB - right now I just finished my first semester of clinical," said Gabby Martz. "My grandma was an EMT here at Rhodes State and she graduated from Rhodes State with her EMT and paramedic degree, my mom is actually a professor here at Rhodes, so I’m just following along the lines, and my sister is almost done earning her RN."

Students that are looking to earn an associates in nursing don't necessarily have to get their LPN at Rhodes State. Those with the college say that students can earn their LPN at other schools and continue their education at Rhodes, possibly even going further through the LPN to RN bridge program.

"We do the bridge program, so one semester they’ll be doing coursework that’s going to prepare them to go into our second year of the actual RN associates degree program, then that way then they can join those students in the second year and then complete the program," said Dr. Melissa Harvey, assistant dean of nursing at Rhodes State College. "They’re not doing the entire program, they’re skipping out on the first year, doing one semester of transition and then moving into our second year of the program."

Those who are part of the LPN program say that it's a good chance to see all kinds of nursing opportunities, especially if they're on the fence about nursing in general.

"If you want to take things slow and easy, I would definitely start with the LPN program and work your way up, that’s what I’m going to do," said Martz.