LVN Job Description

The position of the licensed vocational nurse (LVN), also known as a licensed practical nurse (LVN) outside of Texas and California, is the lowest level of the nursing professions in the United States. It is a good career choice for individuals who are interested in the field of nursing but don’t have the financial resources or desire to complete a two or four-year program. LVNs typically are the ones who provide direct, hands-on, bedside care for patients. Most often they work in hospitals and nursing homes.

The appeal of the LVN position is that it enables workers to complete their education and get into the workforce very quickly. However, many individuals use the LVN position as a stepping stone to eventually become a registered nurse. Doing things this way allow an individual to get working as soon as possible so he or she can earn a living while undergoing a registered nursing program. In some cases the education and experience one receives as an LVN allows the individual to enter an accelerated BSN (Bachelor of Science in nursing) program to become an RN. There are also many great LVN to RN programs that can be completed in just 2 semesters.

Duties of the Licensed Vocational Nurse

Because state regulations limit the tasks a licensed vocational nurse is allowed to perform, you rarely find them working anywhere other than hospitals and nursing homes. As stated earlier, their tasks consist mainly of the daily bedside care of patients. They will do things like check vital signs, monitor patient condition and recovery, watch for adverse reactions to medications, bathe and groom patients, help patients move in and out of bed, and so on. It is a demanding career which requires physical stamina and a lot of compassion.

The duties for a licensed vocational nurse in a nursing home setting are often more demanding than those in the hospital setting. The primary reason for this lies in the fact that the nursing home is made up of elderly people and those with disabilities that prevent them from living elsewhere. That means a lot of strenuous activities like moving patients, changing linens, and bathing and grooming. In addition, since hospitals and nursing homes require 24-hour staffing, LVNs will work all three shifts.



Becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse

One of the benefits of pursuing a career as a licensed vocational nurse comes by way of the relatively short certification program. Typical LVN Programs focus mainly on routine tasks of daily care and can be completed within one year. Courses are offered through local community colleges, nursing schools, vocational training centers, and hospitals. There are even some cases where programs are available to high school seniors as part of their final year of public school education.

The one thing candidates need to be aware of is that in order to take a state licensing exam you must complete a certification program that has state approval. Using Texas as an example, that state has hundreds of schools offering state approved nursing programs through which students can complete their education and then take a licensing exam.

However, there are currently six schools in the state whose programs are not approved. Their graduates are not able to take the licensing exam at the end of their educational program. Why students would consider enrolling in such a program is unclear.



Job Outlook and Salary

An ever increasing demand for healthcare services indicates that the job outlook for LVN graduates is very bright. Currently, demand is out-pacing supply to the extent that there are incredible LVN shortages all around the country. This nursing shortage has increased the average LVN salary each year since 2003. As our population continues to age, and more baby boomers begin accessing long-term healthcare services, the demand for LVNs is expected to grow proportionately. Suffice it to say that graduates should have their choice of work assignments for quite some time in the future.

The earning potential for LVNs is obviously not as great as it is for those who go on to get higher degrees, but it’s also not bad either. According to the most recent statistics the average annual salary for an LVN in a hospital or nursing home setting is approximately $47,000. That’s certainly enough to raise a family on if you are budget conscious. For singles, it’s a salary which would allow one to lead a fairly comfortable life without having to worry about income.

Working as an LVN takes a certain type of individual with a strong back and a hefty dose of compassion. As a career choice it allows individuals to get to work very quickly with certification that only takes a year. If you’re getting ready to graduate from high school this spring you might consider becoming a licensed vocational nurse. It is a rewarding career both financially and personally.