What can you learn from a vocational nursing program?
Mar 24, 2015 | 8:00 am
With all the different types of nursing education available, many students wonder what they can learn from vocational nursing programs. While the time to completion may only take one year (or slightly longer), the goal of the vocational nursing program is to prepare graduates for entry-level positions as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) who can work in most areas of general healthcare.
Type of Nursing Education
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), vocational nursing programs are often found in technical schools, community colleges and hospitals, instructing students in the following areas:
•Nursing science
•Biology
•Pharmacology
During their preparation, students also take part in supervised clinical experience, which is one of the most valuable aspects of the vocational nursing program.
Upon completion, graduates can take the NCLEX-PN (The National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses), and with a passing grade, can use the LVN initials. They also receive a diploma or certificate of completion.
Type of LVN Work
Most nurses with this level of education are generalists who work in all areas of health care, including specialized areas such as home health care and nursing homes. The vocational nursing program at Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities prepares students for common LVN responsibilities such as monitoring patient status, gathering information from patients and consulting with physicians or RNs to determine patient care.
LVNs and LPNs are technically the same type of nurse, completing all the same required studies, but duties and title can vary by state. AllNurses.com notes that the boards of nursing in California and Texas offer the title of LVN, while various boards in the other 48 states use the title Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Working under the direction of doctors and registered nurses, LVNs are still in demand. The BLS predicts increased employment for LVNs of up to 25 percent between 2012 and 2022 and reports a median annual wage of $41,540 (as of May 2012).
If getting started in nursing quickly is your main goal, attending a vocational nursing program could be a great place to start. Good luck!