Becoming a licensed vocational nurse, or LVN, can lead to a very rewarding career that includes excellent job stability and a respectable salary. Most licensed vocational nurses report a very high rate of job satisfaction, and there is an excellent forecast for the LVN job outlook in the years to come. Many licensed vocational nurses go on to become registered nurses through LVN to RN bachelors programs. Here is a detailed look at everything that you need to know about becoming a LVN in the United States.
Job Description
A new licensed vocational nurse can expect to be on his or her feet for most of the day and will need to be able to handle a number of complex job duties in a safe and efficient manner. The duties of a nurse in a general hospital can vary a great deal from a nursing home LVN job description, but virtually all license vocational nurses work directly with sick or disabled patients and provide them with routine medical care. Because LVNs and LPNs work with patient on such a personal level, it is necessary for a new nurse to have an excellent bedside manner in addition to proper vocational skills. In some parts of the country, LVNs are also qualified to prescribe patients prescriptions for medications as well.
Licensed Vocational Nurse Educational Requirements
Unlike many careers in the health industry, the educational path to becoming a licensed vocational nurse is relatively short.
Most new LVNs complete their education in a single year or less, and it is fairly easy to get accepted into programs
at accredited colleges and vocational schools located all over the country. After completing an educational program,
candidates for vocational nursing license must pass a special test, and most students choose to enroll in a LVN net
test review so that they can be sure to pass their test with flying colors. Over time, many licensed vocational nurses
make the decision to further there education so that they can become registered nurses. Thankfully, there are
accredited LVN to RN
online nursing classes that
let health care professionals study to further their career at their own pace from the comfort of their own home.
Nursing schools with LVN or LPN to RN fast track programs online are rising to meet the growing need from the healthcare
industry for a larger nursing workforce.
Salary and LVN Jobs
The salary a LVN or LPN can expect to earn varies somewhat, but the average salary for a licensed vocational nurse who is new to the workforce ranges from $33,000 to $46,000, which many employment counselors believe is fairly high salary for a career path that requires so little formal education. There a wide variety of career paths available to a licensed vocational nurse. Most new nurses get started by working in general medical hospitals or nursing care facilities, and many go on to work in specialized services such as LVN jobs in corrections and private practitioners. Depending on the career path that a nurse chooses to take, networking can play a very significant role in securing a good position in the health care industry, so it is important for a new nurse to cultivate contacts in his or her field in order to be considered for career advancements down the line.
