What You Need To Know About an LVN

An LVN or Licensed Vocational Nurse is defined as a person who provide care to patients with the direction of nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. This job title is only specific to Texas and California. In other states, these care providers are known as Licensed Practical Nurses. The basic duties of an LVN is to attend to patient’s needs. When the LVN cannot meet these needs, a physician or other professional will then be contacted. For instance, an LVN takes a patient’s vital signs: temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure. If the results show that the patient is out of the normal, then the LVN will report to the doctor. Since LVNs act as a middle man between the patient and doctor, they should accurately deliver information.

How to Become an LVN?
Educational requirements differ from state to state. Generally, you will need to graduate from a vocational nursing program offered by community colleges or vocational schools. These programs both have classroom and clinical training and subjects that include physiology, anatomy, pharmacology, first aid, pediatrics, and patient care.

In some states, those who have completed nursing training programs need to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) in practical nursing to get a license.

Other Career Options for LVNs
A licensed vocational nursing provides a career in occupational therapy. As an occupational therapy assistant, they help disabled and ill patients with their everyday tasks and help accomplish them. In order to have a permanent occupation on this field, an associate degree is needed plus state licensing. Reports have projected that there will be a growing need for occupation therapy assistants in the next ten years.

Another career path to take is becoming a Registered nurse. It requires a nursing diploma, various nursing degrees, and passage of the NCLEX. The same research above shows that there will be an increase in job opportunities for Registered nurses until 2020.

LPN to RN Bridge Programs

An LPN to RN bridge program is really a degree program that can help students move from being Licensed Practical Nurses to acquiring their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Once this requirement is met, enrolling to have an LPN to RN bridge program allows students to pursue their BSN within four years, sometimes less. Obtaining a BSN will enable individuals to become an authorized Nurse (RN). Since getting a bachelor’s degree in nursing isn’t a specific requirement of becoming an RN, the advanced education will open new job possibilities. Furthermore, it can lead to significant salary increases.

Like an LPN, you are able to strengthen your abilities and get ready for a wider area of career possibilities by continuing your education and attaining a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The LPN to RN bridge program follows exactly the same academic plan and needs like a traditional BSN program. A LPN to RN bridge program enables you to definitely receive full credit for those courses taken in the LPN program. Many schools require students to obtain their LPN before being accepted in to the program.

To be able to sign up for LPN to RN bridge program, you have to be a licensed LPN or LVN. Students must have a high school diploma or GED and become presently employed as an LPN. Some programs require an associate’s degree in nursing. Admission needs may also incorporate a nursing entrance exam, CPR certification or perhaps a criminal record check. Programs could be carried out in 4 years. An earlier associate’s degree lessens the time required to accomplish a BSN program. Most courses can be found online, even though clinical component is generally on-site. Many nurses begin their careers as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) but to succeed, they require more education.