Are you interested in becoming an LVN? Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) are entry-level caregivers. Their role is somewhat different for LVNs because they have limited knowledge in comparison to RNs. But still, they fill an important niche, providing supervision and bedside care for stable patients. Let’s take a closer look at what they do, where they work and what you should know before choosing a vocational nursing career.

What Does an LVN Do?

LVNs, also called as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), are entry-level nurses. They focus almost exclusively on practical nursing tasks while registered nurses assume care planning and administrative duties.

An LVN’s responsibilities typically include:

  • Helping patients with activities of daily living; eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting
  • Assisting with mobility and recreation
  • Taking vital signs
  • Assessing pain levels
  • Observing for changes in condition
  • Administering medications
  • Recording fluid intake and output
  • Performing wound care
  • Giving tube feedings
  • Managing medical equipment, such as ventilators and oxygen supplies
  • Inserting urinary catheters
  • Checking blood sugar
  • Assisting with therapeutic experiences
  • Collecting laboratory specimens; urine, stool, sputum, and tissue cultures
  • Supervising non-professional staff
  • Educating patients and their caregivers
  • Providing emotional and spiritual support
  • End-of-life care
  • Documenting the care they provide

Where Do LVNs work?

LVNs work with RNs and other healthcare professionals in:

  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Nursing homes
  • Physician’s offices
  • Assisted living centers
  • Schools
  • Public health venues
  • Hospices
  • Private homes

LVNs can work anywhere healthcare is provided, but some employers hire vocational nurses more than others. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 35% of LVNs work in nursing and residential care facilities and 15% are employed by hospitals. Another 14% work in home health while 12% have jobs in doctor’s offices. The final 7% are in public service, including the military.

What Should I Know About Becoming an LVN?

If you’re considering a nursing career, here’s what you need to know about becoming an LVN.

LVNs are Licensed Professional Nurses

Like RNs, vocational nurses are state-licensed professionals. Higher education and regulatory permission are required to practice. Competency is determined through testing.

LVNs Are Not Being Phased Out in Hospitals

Rumors suggest that LVNs are being phased out of hospitals, but nothing could be further from the truth. While there’s a nationwide effort to increase the number of acute care RNs with bachelor’s degrees, it doesn’t affect LVNs. The demand for LVNs is projected to grow 6 percent through 2031.

Today’s patients are sicker with more chronic diseases to manage, so the nurses overseeing care should be better educated. However, hospitals have and will continue to hire vocational nurses to provide bedside care. In fact, the complexity of nursing makes it more likely that they will turn to LVNs instead of nursing assistants.

But Fewer Are Employed in Doctor’s Offices

LVNs were once a fixture in doctor’s offices, but they’ve largely been replaced by medical assistants. With more clinical than administrative training, vocational nurses have less to offer in office settings than in medical facilities. The few LVNs employed in private practices generally work as clinical specialists or patient navigators.

LVNs Are Long-Term Care Leaders

An LVN’s skills are a perfect fit for nursing homes and assisted living communities where the patients need ongoing medical supervision but not acute care. In long-term care facilities, they serve as leaders, working as charge nurses and unit managers with responsibilities like what RNs do in hospitals, from planning care to supervising paraprofessional staff.

LVNs Manage Patients, Not Paperwork

Vocational nurses work at the bedside assisting patients with their daily needs. In most settings, paperwork requirements are limited to routine documentation. You’ll spend most of your time interacting with patients and their families instead of charts and computers.

A Diploma Qualifies You for Most of the Same Jobs as a Degree

Education is never wasted. However, if you don’t have two or more years to pursue an associate degree, getting a vocational school diploma is a lifestyle-friendly option. Either qualifies you to sit for the exam, and the pass rates are similar among both groups.

An associate degree program offers more in-depth coverage of some topics, and the extra courses can be valuable for those who plan to go back to school later. However, when it comes to applying for jobs, it’s your professional license that matters.

LVNs Can Specialize

Entry-level workers in most industries can’t specialize, but there are more than 20 specialty certificates available for vocational nurses. Certification programs enhance your education with subject-specific material. If you enjoy a specific aspect of medicine, becoming certified is the most effective way to land a position in the field.

The most popular options include gerontology, pharmacology, and wound care. In some states, IV certification is required to start IV lines or administer intravenous medications without direct supervision.

Many LVNs also seek phlebotomy certification. Unlike medical assistants, vocational nurses are not taught to draw blood in school. Any credential you earn pads your resume and makes you a more sought-after job applicant.

Advancement Opportunities are Limited, but Professional Growth Is Not

LVNs will struggle to climb the career ladder in acute care settings. Regardless of how much experience they have, key roles require more training.

However, while advancement opportunities are limited, growth potential is not. LVNs are encouraged to further their education in concordance with their career goals.

If you thrive on bedside care, vocational nursing can be a forever career. But with an 18-month bridge program, you can parlay your license into a degree and become a registered nurse. Get your master’s and you can then teach or work at the highest echelons of the profession. The best careers are built one step at a time.

How Do I Become an LVN?

Becoming an LVN is as easy as enrolling in a vocational school program. Application requirements are established by the state and typically include a high school diploma or general equivalency certificate and a clean background check.

Programs are a fusion of classroom education and clinical experiences in real-life settings where LVNs are usually employed. LVNs are all held to the same standards regardless of their level of education, so vocational training is brief but intense.

The curriculum covers topics including:

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infection control
  • Human growth and development
  • Mental health issues
  • Community nursing and home care
  • Practical nursing procedures

Students graduate with a diploma. It’s all you need to sit for the NCLEX-PN, the licensing exam. In most states, you can work and gain experience while waiting to take the test. Many applicants pass on the first try. Vocational schools prepare you for the exam, so graduates are well-prepared.

Final Thoughts

Some healthcare careers take years in college to prepare for, but you can become an LVN in less than a year with vocational school training. The healthcare field is growing, and many more nurses are needed in all settings. Help your community and secure your future by applying now.

Licensed Vocational Nurse

Classes for the Vocational Nursing program are conducted in a student-friendly atmosphere conveniently located in Austin, Texas. After graduating from the Licensed Vocational Nursing program, students can apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), and start their exciting new career immediately.

Contact us today to learn more about our CyberTex Austin campus.