To help you figure out if studying to become a licensed vocational nurse is the right move, below are a few positives and three not-as-positives to consider before enrolling in an LVN program. Licensed vocational nurses work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses in a variety of different medical settings.
Some of the common tasks licensed vocational nurses execute include the following:. The responsibilities of an LVN are not as extensive as those of a registered nurse RN , as RNs are able to administer medicine and perform a wider array of jobs. It is worth noting, however, that your role as an LVN may vary greatly depending on the state in which you are employed and the medical establishment for whom you work. But, the tasks still play a vital role in the overall care of patients.
In studying to be an LVN, you will be able to complete your education and prepare for a career in a shorter period of time. Most LVN programs can be completed in 12 and 20 months, whereas other nursing education programs can take more than twice that time to finish.
RNs for example, are allowed to administer medications, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals, whereas LVNs are not permitted to do so, save for some rare exceptions. By the year , the Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS estimates that there will be an additional 66, jobs available in this field. That is on top of the already , existing positions. The Licensed Vocational Nurse program at The College of Health Care Professions gives you a chance to start working in a rewarding field sooner than you would with other nursing programs.
What is a licensed vocational nurse, though, and how can you become one? What does LVN stand for? LVN is a licensed vocational nurse—a health care professional that provides nursing care. They frequently operate under the supervision of other medical professionals, such as a registered nurse RN. Licensed vocational nurses and licensed practical nurses LPN are used interchangeably to define the same general nursing position. Both tend to focus on basic care and providing medication to patients in hospitals, nursing, or rehabilitation facilities.
They can offer in-home care, as well. What is vocational nursing, compared to a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner? The difference between these three nursing professionals is education level. A vocational or licensed practical nurse attends school for one to two years. Once they graduate and become certified, they are able to provide basic nursing care in a variety of medical environments.
A registered nurse has a two or four-year degree in nursing science. Get instant salary estimates and personalized matches with high-paying nursing jobs. The only true difference is the name. They are considered interchangeable. There are no extra steps for LVNs. According to the U. Licensed practical nurses check patients, keep track of critical symptoms, and help with wound care. As an LVN, your responsibilities in the hospital may include:.
Monitoring patients' vital signs, including temperature, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration,. Communicating vital signs of patients to the doctor or RN,. Making a patient as comfortable as possible, including bathing and clothing them as needed,.
Assisting in changing bandages, inserting catheters, and providing other primary nursing care for patients. Registered nurses, on the other hand, have various responsibilities, but the most important is meeting all of their patients' needs and ensuring that they are comfortable in a secure and safe environment. RNs generally take on leadership roles and use critical thinking to provide appropriate medical care.
An RN's job entails the following duties and responsibilities:. Taking down the patient's medical history and making a plan for their care,. Dispensing medications to the patient and ensuring that they get the required treatment,. Consulting with mid-level practitioners and doctors regularly,. Receiving reports from LVNs on patients' vital signs and analyzing them adequately,. One more aspect of the LVN vs. RN issue is when you compare the work environment of each.
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