Licensed Vocational Nurse
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) or Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) care for the sick, injured, mentally ill, disabled, the elderly and others under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses.
Most licensed practical nurses in hospitals and nursing care facilities work a 40-hour week, but because patients need around-the-clock care, some work nights, weekends, and holidays.While this occupation is expected to grow as fast as the average, employment of LVNs or LPNs in nursing care facilities is expected to grow faster than average due to increasing number of aged and disabled persons.
Here's what you need to know:
1) What is a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse?
2) Requirements for the career
3) Salary Potential
4) Schools
1) What is an Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)?
LVNs and LPNs are part of the health care team that provide basic bedside care, take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse and keep medical charts.
They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, apply dressings, treat bedsores, and give alcohol rubs and massages.
LVNs and LPNs monitor their patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments.
They collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, feed patients, and record food and fluid intake and output.
In States where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines or start intravenous fluids.
Experienced Licensed Vocational Nurses and LPNs may supervise nursing assistants and aides.
2) Career Requirements
Below are some career requirements:
- Complete a state-approved vocational nursing program
- Take and pass the state licensing exam
- Should have a caring, sympathetic nature.
- Should be emotionally stable because work with the sick and injured can be stressful.
- Fingerprint clearance may be required by the employer
3) Salary Potential
Earnings vary by geographic location, employment setting, and years of experience.
The median annual salary of a Licensed Vocational Nurse is approximately $31,000.
Salaries range from about $22,000/year to over $44,000 per year.
4) Licensed Vocational Nurse Schools
Approximately 1,100 State-approved programs provided training in practical nursing in 2002.
Almost 6 out of 10 students were enrolled in technical or vocational schools, while 3 out of 10 were in community and junior colleges. Others were in high schools, hospitals, and colleges and universities.
Most practical nursing programs last about 1 year and include both classroom study and supervised clinical practice (patient care).
Classroom study covers basic nursing concepts and patient care-related subjects, including anatomy, physiology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, the administration of drugs, nutrition, and first aid.
Clinical practice usually is in a hospital, but sometimes includes other settings.