Have you ever thought about a career change that will genuinely improve people’s lives? A job where you can get immense gratification from helping others on a daily basis? Then perhaps a career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN could be your gateway to a new rewarding occupation.

That sounds great… but what is a LVN, and how easy is it to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse?

Studying to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse is one of the fastest ways to start a new career in the healthcare workforce. That’s why here at the National Career College, we’ve put together some facts and stats about becoming a VN and why it could be the right career for you.

Speak to NCC about becoming a VN today

So, What is an LVN?

A Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN, also known as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), plays a vital role in almost every healthcare institution across the country. Often the primary contact in providing basic nursing care, LVNs assist and work under the supervision of other healthcare professionals such as Doctors, Physicians, and Registered Nurses (RN).

Becoming a LVN is often the preferred route into nursing, as studying to become a Registered Nurse can take up to four years of training. However, vocational nursing schools such as NCC offer students a fast-track progression into the profession, with PN and VN programs that can be completed in just 14 months.

Great, So What is a LVN’s List of Responsibilities?

LVNs are responsible for providing primary bedside assistance and patient care when working with Doctors and Registered Nurses in a close-knit team. These responsibilities will include:

Providing patients emotional support and reassurance
Patient care, including changing bandages, bathing, and dressing
Preparing patient IV drips and inserting catheters
Monitoring patients’ vital signs, including pulse, temperature, and blood pressure
Recording medical observations
Raising health changes or concerns with Doctors and RNs

With plenty of interaction with patients and a wide range of duties, the best part of becoming a LVN is that no two days are ever the same.

What Are the Education Requirements Needed to Become a VN?

To join the healthcare industry as a LVN, you must complete an accredited Vocational Nursing Diploma Program. These PN and VN programs are designed to teach students the fundamentals of nursing and provide real-world clinical practical experience.

If you have been searching for Vocational Nurse schools near me,’ the National Career College’s accredited Vocational Nursing Diploma Program helps you to study close to home. Offering in-depth classroom learning followed by an extensive clinical program provides NCC students the opportunity to practice these skills in a supervised hands-on medical environment.

VN programs teach students a range of PN and VN skills and topics, including:

Patient care, including the legal and ethical guidelines
Nutrition, Anatomy, and Physiology
Obstetric, Labor, and Pediatrics care
Pharmacology

What is the Licensing Examination Requirements?

Designed in compliance with the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), graduates are then able to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX- VN) with only 60 weeks of training.

Following graduation from a program, the Licensure Exams test a graduate’s knowledge of the essential nursing skills required to enter the field as a Licensed Vocational Nurse LVN.

Sounds Good, but Where Can a LVN Then Work?

Once you pass your state’s NCLEX- VN exam, congratulations, you are officially a Licensed Vocational Nurse. You are now eligible to apply for entry-level LVN openings in a vast range of medical facilities, including:

Local and State Hospitals
Private Doctors and Physicians Clinics
Residential Care Homes
Labor and Delivery Wards
Sports and Veteran Rehabilitation Facilities

Okay, But What is a LVN’s Salary and Career Outlook?

Due to the volume of healthcare institutions requiring LVNs and the critical role they play, the career outlook is incredibly positive. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has projected 60,700 new openings for LPN and LVNs each year, on average, over the next decade – the equivalent to an impressive 9% growth rate.1

Equally, the salary expectations as a LVN are also great, with the BLS calculating the median annual wage in 2021 was over $48,070, with the top 10% earning over $63,790.2 For those graduating from Licensed Vocational Nurse programs in California, Salary.com has projected the median salary in the state to be higher than the national average at over $57,167.3

Due to the additional tasks and responsibilities Registered Nurses hold, LVN programs offer graduates a speedier route into the healthcare industry. However, many LVNs become qualified Registered Nurses with continued education and training. Possibly because RNs commanded a higher median salary of $77,600, with the top 10% earning over $120,250 in 2021, according to the BLS.4

Kick Start Your New Career in Healthcare With NCC

National Career College’s VN program is approved by California’s own NCLEX- VN and helps to prepare students to take the licensure examination in as little as 14 months. Designed by our in-house team of medical experts, it provides the ideal platform for students seeking to join the nation’s healthcare service.

NCC’s vocational nursing school aids students by pairing our expert classroom tuition with practical, real-world, hands-on clinical training. Combining these elements provides students a solid grounding to take the NCLEX- VN exam and a prosperous career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.

As a LVN, your passion for helping people can make a huge impact. With Financial Aid assistance available, if anyone ever asks what is a LVN, you can tell them it’s the best career move you ever made. Financial Aid is available to those who qualify! Learn more about getting started at NCC here or call us at 888-988-2301!

Make a real difference in patients’ lives by signing up for NCC’s VN program today!

Sources:

What is a LVN? Meaning, Responsibilities & Requirements