A Blueprint for Online Licensed Practical Nurse Training

Introduction

Statistically, single mothers on welfare are often referred to as the “disconnected”. This description implies a growing number of all low-income single mothers in the United States (U.S.). Loprest and Austin (2011) estimate the number of “disconnected families at between 20 to 25 percent of the U.S. population. According to Blank and Kovak (2008), Loprest and Austin (2011), and Seefeldt and Horowski (2012) women who fall under the “disconnected” category are likely to be needy in a number of areas. In comparing women from this social group to others outside of it, Blank and Kovak (2008) and Loprest and Austin (2011) note that, among the numerous disadvantages facing these women, most of them tend to have less education, and occasionally, more learning disabilities. Some of them may also have higher levels of past or current problems with substance abuse. Some have even been diagnosed with higher levels of depression, other forms of mental illnesses, and significant physical health problems. In addition to the likelihood of these women having and probably taking care of younger children, they may be taking care of other members of their extended families as well. Some of these older family members are likely to have health issues. Explaining these characteristics further, Blank and Kovak (2008), Loprest and Austin (2011), Seefeldt and Horowski (2012) note that, some of these women may likely have histories of domestic violence as well.

Drawing from the above, there arises an urgent need to do something about the plight of these women. One approach is to train them for a viable job market. The need for skills training is imperative because most of the women in this category most likely live in central cities most of which have unusually heavy welfare caseloads leading to such women only being able to stay on welfare assistance for specified periods of times (Blank & Kovak, 2008).

In respect of the problem stated above this chapter looks to lay out a blueprint that can be used as a guide to facilitate the training of single mothers into Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) based on a one year online program. The blueprint is conceived against the backdrop of findings that most of the target mothers have limited education which limits their life opportunities (Blank & Kovak, 2008; Seefeldt & Horowski, 2012). Based on the above, this blueprint is laid out as means to empower these mothers to contribute their quota to national development, while being empowered financially. The program suggested by the blueprint would be online and can be hosted on any Open-source Course Management System (CMS). The suggestion of an open-source CMS option minimizes running costs while offering the requisite platform and electronic tools necessary for delivering an LPN program online. The need for cost effectiveness in the choice of a CMS is important in order to put the cost of training within the means of the target women and their sponsors.