Why You Should Pursue An LVN Program (Salaries & Job Description Included)

There are many routes available when it comes to a career in nursing. Although there is a lot of common ground among all nursing jobs, they vary in many aspects too. Their duties vary depending on their job titles and the degree of education they have pursued. Their scope of functions and opportunities for growth also need to be considered when deciding which path to take. One such option is enrolling in an LVN program.

What Is An LVN?

It stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse. It is very similar to the role of a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with the two often being used interchangeably in the medical profession. It is generally an entry-level role and involves rendering basic nursing services to patients. They typically practice under a registered nurse (RN) or physician and cannot practice independently.

How To Become An LVN?

All aspirants must first acquire a high school diploma or its equivalent before progressing any further. Next, they must complete a training program, which may last up to 2 years at a community college or any other accredited institute. After this, they need to apply for a license, for which they must clear the NCLEX-PN exam, which the National Council of State Boards of Learning administers.

Average Salaries Of An LVN

Being an LVN is certainly a good return on investment when compared with the lower cost of education required to enter this role. Even freshers can earn a good buck and make enough to survive financially. It more than justifies the shorter duration of education and is also a stable career path.

• Average Annual Salary: $75,664 (Source: GlassDoor)
• Average Monthly Salary: $6,303 (Source: GlassDoor)
• Average Hourly Salary: $37 (Source: GlassDoor)

Benefits Of LVN Programs

Being a Licensed Vocational Nurse is a good career path that offers many advantages. It can be an exciting job that helps you learn and grow into a mature professional. There are many reasons why an individual should pursue LVN programs.

Less Time In School

Many teenagers and young adults can’t wait to enter the job market. They feel dedicating too many years to formal education is a waste of their precious time. For such individuals, enrolling in an LVN program can be a quick ticket into the nursing profession.

A lot of people are daunted by the years of schooling that it takes to enter the medical field. However, it is important to realize that you can get into the medical field without having to eat away at your time. Roles like LVN are a good example of this.

More Affordable

Many people come from poor backgrounds and cannot afford the costs of spending several years in medical school. Hence, pursuing a post like LVN is a good option for individuals aspiring to work in nursing jobs.

Another factor to consider is the burden of taking out student loans, which may be needed due to the higher accumulated college fees that come with nursing jobs requiring more years of education. LVN programs are comparatively less expensive, making them a good choice for those without deeper pockets.

Good Salary

A career in nursing is generally financially secure, with opportunities for growth and learning. Though LVN jobs indeed fall on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to salaries for nursing jobs, they still pay well compared to most vocational jobs. Even at entry-level one can earn enough to get by and live well.

Easier Duties

The tasks they perform are more basic compared to those by other nurses. This makes them a lot easier to execute and encourages many candidates to take on these roles. While more qualified nurses take on more stressful and critical duties, LVNs have comparatively less stress while on the job.

Upgrade Options

Another positive about this role is that it still holds opportunities for further education. If an individual pleases, they can complete an LVN program and start their careers. After acquiring a few years of experience, they resume their education. There are options, like LVN to Nurse Practitioner programs or even LVN to RN programs, to help you enhance your qualifications and take on bigger roles in the future.

LVN Job Description

Let’s now take a look at what a day in the job looks like. Here, we analyze their duties and responsibilities and see what it takes to hold such a role. We also assess some of the hard and soft skills needed to take on this role.

• Monitoring vital signs of patients.
• Making sure that patients consume their medicines.
• Assess patients and their progress through various stages of treatment.
• Discuss the status of the patient’s illness and their progress with their families.
• They need good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Need to maintain confidentiality regarding patient information.
• Recording and updating medical histories of their patients.
• Offer their support to senior nurses and doctors with the execution of therapies.
• Drawing blood for certain tests.
• They need to provide timely services and be punctual.
• Assisting Registered Nurses in educating patients and their families.
• Need basic knowledge of the legal side of nursing.

Further Education Opportunities

A Licensed Vocational Nurse has many opportunities to transition into a higher role, provided they complete the relevant educational programs and obtain the necessary qualifications. The position has enough growth opportunities.

LVN To RN Program

These programs allow a Licensed Vocational Nurse to transition into a Registered Nurse. This allows them to take on more responsibilities in the future and attain greater levels of influence and status in the organization. It typically comes with better pay as well. There are typically two variants of this program, which are: LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN.

The LPN to ADN (Associate’s Degree in Nursing) program is considered more cost-efficient and takes less time to finish (typically one or two years). It also helps you develop leadership abilities, as you may be asked to oversee other LVNs. Community colleges and vocational schools typically offer such programs.

An LPN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program is a good course to undertake if candidates crave more autonomy in the workplace along with better salaries. There is more scope for advancement and gaining promotions. It also offers better job opportunities and options to transition into educational or administrative positions.

In either of the two cases, certain minimum requirements need to be met to enroll in these courses.

• Current Immunization Record
• Background Check
• Physical Exam and Medical history
• Finishing certain pre-requisite courses
• Clearing the entrance exams
• Experience of 6 months or more as an LVN
• High School diploma or its equivalent
• A valid and current LPN license

LVN To Nurse Practitioner Programs

Those interested in an LVN to RN program can choose to go a few steps further and become Nurse Practitioners. It is a role that offers a greater deal of authority and scope of operations. It is also one of the highest-paying nursing jobs out there. Candidates with lofty ambitions can pursue this position.

For a Licensed Vocational Nurse to become a Nursing Practitioner, they must first pursue one of the two aforementioned LVN to RN programs and complete them. Once this step is cleared, aspirants can enroll in a Master of Science in Nursing course which is needed to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

It is important for aspiring Nursing Practitioners to carefully assess where they would like to specialize. Some examples of specialized job titles in this profession are Family Nurse Practitioners (APRN-FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (APRN-PMHNP), etc.

The next step is passing the national certification exam and applying for a nurse practitioner license. Once both of these steps are done, candidates are fit to enter the job market and begin practicing their craft. Some common organizations that employ them include outpatient care centers, offices of other healthcare practitioners, hospitals of all kinds, medical education services, and institutes along with physician’s offices.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, being a Licensed Vocational Nurse is a good career path with good opportunities for further education, growth, and learning. It is a good option for those who need to enter the workforce immediately. It is also a good option for those who want to study less at a time.

Some individuals like to obtain further education after gaining a bit of work experience. These individuals also need not worry; there are programs available for Licensed Vocational Nurses to pursue further education. This is great for individuals looking to take on more responsibilities in their profession.

All in all, it is a good job title to pursue and is well-rewarding both financially when compared to the cost of education and in terms of advancement opportunities. It is also a good option for those wanting to enter the medical industry but are daunted by the high levels of education it requires. A great career path for nursing aspirants.