a-day-in-the-life-of-a-vocational-nurse

Do you have a passion for helping people? Perhaps you’d like to make a genuine difference in supporting people who are sick or need long-term care. Then practical nursing could help fast-track you toward your dream career. To help you decide, join us as we explore a typical day in a day in the life of a vocational nurse.
 
Did you know that vocational nursing isn’t just limited to hospital nursing? That’s because vocational nurses, also known as Licensed Vocational Nurses, provide patient care in an impressive range of highly motivating workplace environments, including working at a:
 

  • Doctors and physicians’ clinics
  • Long-term care facilities such as a nursing home
  • Sports rehabilitation center
  • Veteran care organization
  • Home health agency

 Furthermore, becoming an LVN/LPN is one of the fastest ways to qualify to work in the healthcare sector. So, if your dream is to work in patient health care, find out more about a day in the life of a vocational nurse below…

 

Starting a Shift in a Day in the Life of a Vocational Nurse

Arriving early, your first task (after your morning coffee) is conducting a handover from colleagues as their shift ends. As an LVN/LPN, you’ll draw on your interpersonal skills to communicate with your co-workers to determine your nurse’s duties for the day. This can include attending a review meeting with the hospital or nursing home’s overnight:
 

  • Nursing supervisor
  • Registered Nurse (RN)
  • Doctor or physician
  • Physiotherapist

 Handovers are a great way to understand any incidents that may have happened before discussing any new admissions or patients being discharged today. Once you’re up to speed and you’ve reviewed all your patient medical charts, your shift in a day in the life of a vocational nurse can begin.

 

An Action-Packed Morning for a Vocational Nurse…

As your shift starts in a day in the life of a vocational nurse, you’ll want to conduct a walk-around and meet and greet patients. Once this is complete, next on your list of nurses’ duties on a typical day is to begin taking patient basic vital signs, which may include recording a patient’s:
 

  • Heart or pulse rate
  • Respiratory rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Temperature
  • Oxygen saturation

 Additionally, as part of your bedside care, you’ll be required when administering medication to patients. This includes supplying oral medicines, topical treatments, and injections as prescribed by a physician or registered nurse.
 
 Most mornings in a day in the life of a vocational nurse will involve assisting patients with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, and eating. However, LVN/LPNs who work in surgical environments may also be called upon to conduct diagnostics tests and help to prepare patients for afternoon surgery.
 
 You might not believe it, but before you know it, the morning has flown by, and it’s time for lunch…
 

A Rewarding Afternoon as a Vocational Nurse…

Your first job after lunch as part of your bedside care is to help transport patients to various appointments. This may include transferring a patient heading into or returning from surgery and physiotherapy appointments.
 
 As a vocational nurse, the ultimate reward of providing patient care is discharging a patient once they recover. However, first, you must check their vital signs and run any final diagnostics tests needed to give them the ‘all clear.’
 
 Before they leave, you’ll also utilize your interpersonal skills to educate patients and their families on continued patient health care. This can include providing information about administering medication, wound care, and disease management at home.
 
 Finally, before your shift ends during a day in the life of a vocational nurse there is one last task. Your final job is to hand over to the next wave of medical colleagues about to start their shift. This is vital incoming teams are aware of today’s events and ensure the patients’ records are up-to-date.
 
 

Why Choose a Career as a Vocational Nurse…

There are many fantastic reasons to gain your certification to become a qualified LVN/LPN. For many, a day in the life of a vocational nurse appeals because of the variety of workplace environments available, including hospital nursing and dedicated home health agencies.
 
Additionally, it’s also a vocation in demand. That’s because the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts above-average growth of 6% in this field between 2021 and 2031.¹ Furthermore, the BLS has also calculated licensed vocational nurses earned a higher-than-average annual wage of $48,070 in May 2021 – with the top 10 percent earning more than $63,790. ²
 
With full-time LVNs averaging around 40 hours a week in California, if a day in the life of a vocational nurse appeals to you, be sure to enroll in a vocational nursing school in Los Angeles.
 

National Career College (NCC) a Fast-Track Career Path Into the Healthcare Industry…

At National Career College, our 14-month vocational nursing diploma program is designed to propel you toward an exciting, new healthcare vocation. With a team of in-house medical experts and supervisors, we can help you make every day, a day in the life of a vocational nurse.
 
 Our Los Angeles campus offers first-class onsite learning facilities and day and evening class options for your convenience. Here at NCC, our knowledgeable instructors can teach you the essential elements and the skills necessary to succeed as a vocational nurse.
 
 We also provide exceptional hands-on practical nursing experience to complement your training further. That’s because additional practical experience is gained through National Career College’s real-time clinical externship. Reinforcing your learned skills under the close supervision of seasoned medical professionals means you’re a short step away from qualifying as a vocational nurse with NCC.
 

 Enroll now with National Career College to make a day in the life of a vocational nurse a reality!

 


 Sources

  1.  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-6
  2.  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm#tab-5