Are you interested in an exciting career helping people with their medical needs? Consider becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)! LVNs provide hands-on medical care under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses. LVNs work in long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, doctors’ offices, hospitals and in patients’ homes. Some states call LVNs licensed practical nurses (LPNs), but the duties and training are basically the same. Read on to learn more about how to become an LVN in California!
What an LVN Can Do in California
Licensed vocational nurses perform a wide variety of duties in California! LVNs spend a lot of time working directly with patients, typically more so than doctors and other healthcare providers. You’ll perform tasks and duties such as:
- Administer medication: LVNs give patients prescribed medications, including giving injections and vaccines.
- Take vital signs and monitor patients: LVNs take vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse and temperature. They also observe patients closely to see whether their condition has changed.
- Care for wounds: LVNs change dressings and apply topical medicine.
- Collect specimens: LVNs collect urine, stool and other specimens for lab evaluation.
- Assist with patient hygiene and tube feeding: LVNs help patients with daily living activities and deliver liquid nutrition and medication via tube feeding.
- Educate patients and families: LVNs explain procedures and give home-care instructions to patients and families.
- Update medical charts: LVNs document observations and update patients’ electronic health records.
- Communicate with RNs and doctors: Often, LVNs are the first to notice when a patient’s condition changes or treatments aren’t working. They notify the patient's doctors and RNs right away to lower the risk of further problems.
Why Become an LVN in California?
California is a great place to work as an LVN! Why? Because the need for LVNs in California is expected to grow at about 15% over the next several years, much faster than the national average. This means California LVNs can likely find jobs quickly and have multiple options for the type of facility they work in (though there is no guarantee of work).
Wages are competitive in California too, with LVNs earning from $64,390 to $100,450 annually, or $30.96 to $48.29 hourly. (LVNs with more experience, additional certifications or who work in large metro areas tend to earn salaries at the higher end of these ranges.)
Step-by-Step: How to Become an LVN in California
The process for becoming an LVN in California is pretty straightforward. You don’t have to attend college or work as an intern for several years, unlike many other medical professions. You can become an LVN with about 14 months of accelerated training!
Step 1: Meet The Basic Requirements
Most LVN programs have minimum requirements. For example, at National Career College, LVN applicants must meet the following requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- California resident
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) score of 21+
- Minimum 45% composite score on the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) exam
- Interview and tour the campus
Step 2: Complete An Approved LVN Program
Once you’ve met the basic requirements, it’s time to look for an LVN training program! Ideally, choose one accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES) and approved by the California Board of Vocational Nursing. Also, make sure your program prepares you to take the NCLEX-PN exam (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses).
Your LVN training will include hundreds of hours of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training. At National Career College, the professional nursing competencies that you’ll learn include:
- Patient Assessment & Vital Signs Monitoring
- Wound Care & Infection Control
- IV Therapy & Medication Administration
- Patient Education & Communication
- Documentation & Medical Recordkeeping
- Emergency Response & Critical Thinking
- NCLEX-VN Preparation & Test-Taking Skills
You’ll gain clinical training working in real healthcare facilities under the supervision of licensed nurses and clinical instructors. You’ll rotate through medical-surgical units, long-term care, maternal-child health and mental health settings. Most full-time programs take a little over a year to complete.
Step 3: Pass the NCLEX-PN Exam
Once you complete your formal LVN training, the next step is to pass the NCLEX-PN exam! This nationwide standardized exam is required to get your state license. First, you’ll submit your license application, a fingerprint/background check, and your school transcripts. You’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT), and then you can book your exam date.
Tips for Launching Your LVN Career in California
Launching an LVN career in California means navigating state licensing requirements and planning your career. Here are some tips on how to become an LVN in California:
Licensing Tips:
- Avoid testing delays by applying to take the NCLEX-PN exam as soon as possible, about two weeks before you graduate. This helps ensure you receive your Authorization to Test (ATT) promptly.
- Make sure your school sends your transcripts to the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) as soon as they are ready. The BVNPT needs your transcripts before issuing an ATT.
- Schedule your NCLEX-PN exam as soon as you receive your ATT. You’ll usually be able to schedule your test within 30 days of requesting a date, sometimes sooner if there are openings.
- Complete your fingerprint scan for the criminal background check as soon as your school approves your graduation eligibility.
Career Planning Tips:
- Network during your clinical rotations while still in school. Connect with charge nurses and clinical directors while you work under their supervision. This way, you can reach out once you receive your license, either for references or to inquire about job openings.
- Create a professional resume that highlights your exact clinical hours, any specialized skills and electronic health record software experience.
- Consider earning additional certifications, which will increase your marketability and potential earnings. For example, the 36-Hour IV Therapy & Blood Withdrawal (IVBW) Certification is often a mandatory requirement for many LVN jobs.
Start Your LVN Journey Today
In just over a year, you could be working as a licensed vocational nurse in California, earning a competitive salary! Check out National Career College’s LVN program, which can be completed in a little over a year.