A career in nursing is an exciting and fast-paced industry. Those who are looking to explore this career path will need to first be trained through an accredited vocational nursing program. This type of program runs anywhere from eleven months for a full time student up to two years for a part time student, so you can choose the program that fits your situation the best.
After nursing school education is complete, the student must take and pass a required exam to be licensed by the state in which they want to work. Once a person has received a license for vocational nursing, they will be able to explore job options in private healthcare offices, hospitals and nursing home facilities. The main tasks assigned to LVNs are assessing vital signs, providing basic care and giving injections, all under the supervision of a doctor or RN. Licensed vocational nurses also have the ability to build on their skills and earn more by earning additional certifications for specific skills or specialties.
Licensed vocational nurses are currently in demand in the healthcare field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the next ten years the demand will grow faster than the average of other occupations with the number of jobs expected to increase by 21% to 22%. This demand has increased due to a larger elderly population with more long-term care needs and a higher rate of demand for healthcare services overall in the United States. Metropolitan areas will see the highest increase in jobs numbers as well as an increase in wages to complement it.
The average pay for a licensed vocational nurse is just above $40,000 per year, with an average hourly wage of $19-20. Wage increases can also be attained through time spent in the industry, experience and earning additional licenses or certifications. With a high demand and plenty of room to grow, choosing a career as a licensed vocational nurse is a good way to do what you love, help others and earn a good living from it.
