Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Career

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works closely with patients to maintain their basic medical care. LVNs are supervised by registered nurses as they provide basic bedside care and promote preventative health measures. LVNs may be asked to give patients medication or injections, run tests, check routine vital signs, monitor catheters, and aid in other simple medical procedures. In addition, LVNs often help patients feel more comfortable by giving massages and assisting them with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. In private doctors' offices and clinics, vocational nurses may take on clerical duties as well, such as making appointments and keeping records.Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse

You can become an LVN after taking a year of classes through a trade school, community college, vocational school, or hospital and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), which is required to work as a practical nurse in any U.S. state. Nursing programs usually include a combination of classroom study (on patient care, nutrition, basic nursing, first aid, and administration of drugs) and clinical practice in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Once you've entered the nursing field as an LPN or LVN, you can choose to continue your studies later to become a registered nurse, as many colleges offer specialized LVN-to-RN degree tracks.

As a licensed vocational nurse (and practical nurse), you will find that many employers offer flexible work schedules and part-time opportunities, so you can balance your work and home life. You may find nursing jobs in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, outpatient care centers, schools, camps, clinics, nursing homes, the military, or in private homes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects home health care services to be a booming area of employment for LPNs, as well as physicians' offices and outpatient care centers. Nursing salaries vary depending on where you live, where you work, and your experience. The average annual earnings for LPNs is more than $30,000.

Licensed vocational nurses, like certified nursing assistants, will give a face to an otherwise faceless medical jumble. You will be there for patients during good times and bad. You will be the nurse that the patients rely on to support them. Choose an LVN School from the list below and learn more about how to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse.