How To Become A Licensed Vocational Nurse?
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is a job title for nurses specific in California and Texas. These nurses are known as Licensed Practical Nurses in most other states in America.
LVNs work under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) in a hospital. These nurses complete a vocational nursing program and get certified as LVNs. There is a demand for LVNs in today’s healthcare systems. If you are interested in becoming a nurse, continue reading this article to learn more about the process.
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What Do LVNs Do:
Vocational Nurses are responsible for monitoring patients’ blood pressure, pulse, temperature, height and weight, respiration, to name a few. They also help the patients get dressed, eat and take a bath, and more. Some other responsibilities of a vocational nurse are as followed:
- Recording the intake and output of food and fluids.
- Dressing open wounds.
- Giving massages if required.
- Giving enemas.
- Maintaining equipment.
- Assist doctors and Registered Nurse in delivering babies.
- Taking care of infants.
- Perform Lab-tests.
How Much Money Do They Make:
Though a vocational nurse doesn’t make as much as a Registered Nurse, the LVNs get a pretty handsome salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vocational nurses make around $47,480 annually. BLS predicted a steep 9 percent employment growth for the Licensed Vocational Nurses.
What To Study:
Now that you know the job role and the money a Licensed Vocational Nurse makes, do you still want to pursue being a nurse? Good! If you wish to be a licensed healthcare professional, you must complete your study and meet the nurse’s criterion.
After you graduate high school, look for a college that offers vocational nursing programs. You can undertake a diploma or certificate program, which is the fastest route into the workforce. There are different sorts of nursing programs one may get into. Some popular programs are as follows:
- Nursing Science
- Nursing Administration
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing for Seniors
- Public Health Nurse
Pass The NCLEX-PN:
Once you finish your LPN/LVN diploma or certificate program, apply for National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Every candidate must pass this test to become a licensed vocational Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Candidates unable to pass the exam on the first try must wait for 45-90 days before retaking the exam. The exam comprises multiple-choice questions and takes about 5 hours to complete.
Additional Certification Course:
Many aspiring vocational nurses enroll themselves in special courses to create impressive resumes. They may specialize in different clinical roles by getting trained in professional courses such as pharmacology, hospice and palliative care, dialysis, and more.
After completing the Vocational Nursing training, you may get placement soon because the healthcare system is in dire need of skilled nurses. Another excellent way to explore nursing positions is to follow different job platforms that offer a big variety of vacancies for nurses and other health workers. Industry-focused job boards such as PRN jobs for nurses and Nurse.org are considered great sources because they are not only specified in one field and make the job haunting more convenient but they can be a good resource for candidates to compare employment opportunities in different states and salary ranges After getting your license, be sure to create a profile on LinkedIn and build a network system. Use online platforms and social media to get in touch with professional nurses who may provide useful information for upcoming jobs.
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