For people seeking employment in the healthcare industry, nursing is a well-liked profession that may be rewarding.
Without earning a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in nursing, becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), also known as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), can be a fantastic career choice for people who want to work directly with patients.
Knowing the fundamental duties and obligations of an LVN and the common entry requirements might help you determine if this career is suited for you if you’re thinking about it.
In this article, we define an LVN and describe what they do, how long it takes to become an LVN, the typical salary they earn, the education requirements, and the talents they employ.
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What is an LVN?
A licensed vocational nurse (LVN) gives patients who are ill, hurt or disabled primary bedside care.
They frequently operate under the direction of a registered nurse (RN), and their responsibilities include patient advocacy, communication, and monitoring.
LVNs are employed in various healthcare facilities, including private homes, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities.
LVN tends to their patients’ fundamental requirements. LVNs frequently monitor a patient’s vital signs, including their respiration, temperature, pulse, and blood pressure.
Additionally, they might help their patients with activities of daily living like eating, dressing, and moving around. Other tasks carried out by LVNs include:
- Interacting with physicians and other healthcare professionals
- Comforting the patient by Giving needles or drugs
- Wound care and treatment
- Preparing treatment materials
- Assisting other medical experts during tests and treatments
- Obtaining samples for laboratory analysis
- Tracking a patient’s development
- Keeping track of patient records
- Having conversations with family and caregivers
- Defending patients’ rights
Is Attending an LVN School Worth It?
Only you can decide if going to nursing school is worthwhile. While some people may thrive as nurses, others might discover a new healthcare profession that suits them better.
Making this significant decision requires understanding what to anticipate and how the nursing school will alter your life.
Research the advantages and expenses of nursing school if you’re considering returning.
Research can involve practical activities like observing a nurse or interviewing one for a study project.
Read on to learn why nursing school is a wise investment for recent nursing graduates.
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What Schooling Do You Need to Become an LVN?
Anyone thinking about working as an LPN/LVN should be interested in and have experience caring for a wide range of patients.
They should also be trustworthy, dependable, empathetic, and caring people. Finally, they should be adaptable and have good time management skills.
Aspiring LPN/LVN students must first get a high school diploma or GED before they may start the application process.
The next step in becoming an LPN/LVN requires people to complete a diploma program at a community college or an approved online course.
While passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN), which grants them a certification to work as an LPN in the United States, is the only requirement for LPNs in some states, they are not required to have any form of degree.
The training programs that practical nurses must successfully finish to practice in the United States typically last one year. Before getting employed, though, some roles might also demand further practical experience.
The National Council Licensure Examination must be taken and passed by LPNs and LVNs. After passing, they can get a certification that will put them on their state’s registration and allow them to practice as an LPN in the US.
An LPN/LVN may want to consider an LPN to RN program or an LPN to BSN program once they begin moving up the ranks and professional ladder.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Licensed LVN?
The average length of an LVN program is one year. However, some can be as short as seven months or as long as 24 months. If you want to learn nursing skills quickly, LVN programs might be a good option. They can help students learn the subject matter quickly. Trade schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and some hospitals are a few organizations that provide LVN programs. Coursework in a typical LVN curriculum includes the following:
- biology and anatomy
- Nutrition
- simple nursing
- emergency services
- Pediatrics
- maternity nursing
- nursing in medicine and surgery
- Pharmacology
- maternity nursing
- improvement of one’s career
You must also pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical or Vocational Nurses after finishing an LVN program.
Every state requires practicing nurses to pass the NCLEX-PN to get licensed, demonstrating that they are qualified to serve as vocational nurses.
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How Much Does It Cost to Become a Licensed LVN?
A public college or university’s tuition, fees, books, and supplies can range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the program’s length, whether it is offered full-time (during the day) or part-time (at night and on weekends), as well as the institution’s location and financial standing.
Depending on the location and conditions, the cost of books, supplies, and living expenses might increase by $8,000 to $15,000 or more, bringing the total to $12,000 to $40,000 or more.
For instance, Johnson County Community College in Kansas charges $5,103 in tuition and fees for the two-semester, full-time LPN program, $5,658 for students from Kansas, and $9,210 from out-of-state; living, transportation, and other costs are estimated at $10,824, bringing the total cost to $15,927 for county residents, $16,482 for students from the state, and $20,034 for those from out-of-state.
Salary and Job Outlook for LVN after Study
A licensed vocational nurse makes an average yearly salary of $67,781 in the United States.
However, depending on your level of expertise and the environment in which you operate, the typical wage may change.
For instance, the average salary of an LVN employed at a hospital may be more than that of an LVN employed in home healthcare services.
The salary of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) varies considerably from state to state. It is influenced by experience, volunteer work, and additional education and training.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the potential job outlook for practical nurses is 9%, which is as fast as average compared to the pace of growth for other positions in the nation and within the nursing industry.
In practical nursing, salaries range from $23.11 per hour to an average of $48,070 per year, depending on experience, education, and certification.
People who are concerned should be aware that local and/or short-term economic and employment situations may not match national long-term employment growth expectations.
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Conclusion
LVNs working in hospitals frequently care for various seriously ill or injured patients. Particularly in areas like the emergency room or intensive care unit, hospital settings can be hectic.
An LVN may work under a supervising registered nurse or another medical expert in a hospital setting. Depending on their department, LVNs may have a variety of responsibilities.
An LVN working in the ICU, for instance, might have different duties than an LVN working in labor and delivery. LVNs may be scheduled to work some weekends and 12-hour hours at many hospitals.
Frequently Asked Questions
LPNs and LVNs can find employment in a wide range of contexts. Examples include the following but are not limited to:
medical practices
Care facilities
Hospitals (both private and public) (both private and public)
military establishments
Correctional establishments
Universities and Schools
at-home medical care
Assisted living residences
In contrast to LPNs working in hospital settings, those who opt to work as home health nurses or in nursing homes frequently have more autonomy in their job obligations.
Under the guidance of medical experts like RNs and doctors, LPNs/LVNs conduct duties like taking patients’ vital signs, giving them medication, and providing other treatments.
They could also handle and clean medical equipment and supply cleaning services.
Other regular duties an LPN/LVN might perform include keeping track of patients’ medical histories, changing bandages and caring for wounds, assisting patients with bathing and dressing, talking with patients about their medical care and concerns, and in certain cases taking on leadership positions.
Get vital signs.
Compile and organize the patient’s medical history and data.
Feeding and giving geriatric adults and infants basic care
aid patients with their hygiene
administering medication while keeping track of dosage amounts and frequency
control nursing assistants and aides
Measure your blood pressure and do other basic medical procedures.
Install, maintain, and use oxygen sources, catheters, and other apparatus.
An LPN/LVN works under a doctor’s or registered nurse’s supervision; they are not independent practitioners (RN).
The legal aspects of the Practice of Practical/Vocational Nursing Act are determined by a designated Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing Board in each state.
Although the LPN/LVN has their license, they are still required by law to practice under the supervision of the RN. As a result, whether or not the RN is in a formal supervisory role, the RN is responsible for the care provided by the LPN/LVN.
The Nurse Practice Act, administered by each state’s Board of Nursing, gives RNs the authority to assign duties and supervise support personnel like LPNs and LVNs.