Preliminary data from the indicate that RN employment has remained stable over the past four years, but many older RNs have left nursing.

With a shortage of RNs, employers are increasing their efforts to retain RNs and develop career paths for newly-graduated RNs.

It appears there is no better time than the present for young adults to start a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. If you are looking to get your foot in the door of the healthcare field, studying to become a might just be the perfect fit for you.

But hold on, wait, what exactly is a vocational nurse?

A VN, as defined by the (BVNPT), is “an entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care.”

VNs work in medical settings next to doctors and registered nurses, performing tasks like taking blood pressure, changing bandages and maintaining patients’ health records. Depending on the state in which you are employed, a vocational nurse’s role may be vastly different from that of VNs in other states.

To help you figure out if studying to become a vocational nurse is the right move, below are a few positives and three not-as-positives to consider before enrolling in an VN program.

CON: Responsibilities Are Limited

Vocational nurses work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses in a variety of different medical settings. Some of the common tasks vocational nurses execute include the following:

• Monitoring a patient’s health (e.g., blood pressure, temperature)
• Administration of basic care (e.g., applying/changing bandages, inserting catheters)
• Listening to and addressing patient concerns
• Maintaining patient health records

The responsibilities of a VN 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 a VN 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.

PRO: Start Working Sooner

In studying to be a VN, you will be able to complete your education and prepare for a career in a shorter period of time. Most VN programs can be completed in 12 and 20 months, whereas other nursing education programs can take more than twice that time to finish.

CON: Do Similar Work as RNs with a Different Pay Scale

While the responsibilities of RNs and VNs are quite similar, there are some differences. RNs for example, are allowed to administer medications, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals, whereas VNs are not permitted to do so, save for some rare exceptions.

PRO: Many Options to Further Your Education

The good thing about studying to become a VN is that once you earn your certification and work for a little while, there are programs available for you to upgrade your occupational title to registered nurse (RN).

There are also VN to BSN (Bachelor of Science of Nursing) programs offered nationwide if such a degree would be more useful in making your nursing dreams a reality.

Advancing your education allows to you to specialize in an aspect or type of nursing that perhaps sparked your interest during your VN program or time in the workforce as a VN.

“The best way to be a nurse is to lose yourself in the service of others. That’s what nursing is all about.”

Abigail Ignacio, VN Instructor

PRO: Make a Difference in the Lives of Patients

Fewer things in life are more gratifying than the knowledge that you helped make a difference in someone’s life. If you are considering a degree in the health care field, it is a fairly safe bet that you realize this and wish to do something about it.

An aspect of a VN’s job that cannot be overstated is listening to patients. Hearing what they are saying and making them comfortable contribute greatly toward treatment and their overall wellbeing.

Discover the �ǿմ�ý Vocational Nursing Difference

A thorough education can help you, an aspiring vocational nurse, separate yourself from the pack of other VN candidates when looking for your first nursing job.

�ǿմ�ý’s is one of the largest and best VN programs in the state of California. The program is also accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians.

As a student enrolled in �ǿմ�ý’s VN program, you will receive a well-rounded nursing education that will allow you to provide optimal patient care after you pass your licensure exam.

�ǿմ�ý offers both full-time and evening & weekend enrollment in its VN program, providing you with flexibility around the other obligations in your life.

The full-time program offers classes during the day and can be completed in 12 months. The evening & weekend program offers classes during evenings and weekends to accommodate students who work other jobs.

Students in the evening & weekend  program complete it in 18 months. �ǿմ�ý offers its Vocational Nursing program at its Colton Campus.

�ǿմ�ý offers plentiful resources to its vocational nursing students to help them prepare for the. Such resources include full-time NCLEX tutors and NCLEX review classes, which are offered for free as part of enrollment in the program.

�ǿմ�ý also offers you career assistance beyond acquiring your vocational nursing license, including resume help and mock interviews. These resources can help you capitalize on lucrative entry-level health care jobs.

Vocational nurses are able to get into the thick of nursing and help better the lives of patients.

The need for nurses will not be going away any time soon.

Discover the �ǿմ�ý Difference. Launch your rewarding VN career today by calling (888) 504-2552 to speak to one of our friendly representatives.

You might be wondering what exactly a vocational nurse is. The (BVNPT) describes a vocational nurse as “an entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care.”

As a vocational nurse, you will work alongside doctors and registered nurses in many different medical settings. You’ll perform tasks like taking blood pressure, changing bandages and maintaining patients’ health records.

Depending on the state in which you are employed, a vocational nurse’s role may be vastly different than LVNs in other states.

Vocational nurses (VNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform the same duties. The titles can be used interchangeably and the version used typically depends on the state in which you study or practice.

There are many perks of becoming a vocational nurse. We’ve highlighted a few of the many upsides of studying to become and working as a vocational nurse.

Get to Work Sooner

One advantage that LVN students have over BSN students is that they enter the healthcare workforce sooner. LVN programs can typically be completed in 12 and 20 months, whereas Bachelor of Science of nursing (BSN) programs take more than twice that time. And even if you have stellar grades, there are a limited number of spots at four-year colleges and you are not guaranteed to get one of them.

Save Money on Education

Another upside to choosing the LVN route compared to pursuing a BSN degree is the monetary cost. As you can probably infer, spending less time in school means spending less money to attend school.

Depending on the school, a four-year BSN degree costs anywhere between $40,000 and $200,000. Most VN programs, on the other hand, typically run between $20,000 and $40,000.

Job Outlook

The United States Census projects that number of people in the United States who are age 65 or older, currently , will more than double by 2060. The number of people with chronic illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes, is also on the rise. According to the National Council on Aging, “about 80 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68 percent have two.”

These factors and more have created a need for nurses that is at an all-time high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for licensed practical and vocational nurses to through 2024.

Job prospects are expected to be even more favorable for candidates who “are willing to work in rural and medically underserved areas,” according to the BLS.

While the national employment of vocational nurses is expected to rise at a greater rate than the average of other occupations, the outlook in California is even more promising. The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) anticipates that LVN employment in California will increase by 21 percent during that same period.

Multitude of Places to Work

Combined with stable starting salaries and promising job outlook, LVNs also have a variety of places where they can work. The many places vocational nurses are employed include:

• Physician’s offices
• Rehabilitation facilities
• Hospitals
• Nursing homes

Vocational nurses are often employed by insurance companies or for insurance purposes. In such instances, these nurses conduct examinations of individuals to protect employers against fraudulent workers’ compensation cases.

Find Your Passion

Vocational nursing programs tend to have well-rounded curricula and allow students to gain exposure to many arenas of medicine. These include pediatrics, obstetrics, pharmacology or more, depending on the program.

Exposing students to a variety of subjects prepare them to be more complete LVNs. They develop valuable skill sets that will be put to work in the healthcare field. Not only that, it allows them to find which area of medicine they are most passionate about. This gives them the option to specialize and further their education at a later time should they choose to do so.

Working as a vocational nurse can be a stepping stone to a more specialized career in the medical field.

Helping People

There are fewer feelings more satisfying than knowing you helped another person or helped make them feel better. Like any other professional in the healthcare field, vocational nurses enjoy helping patients.

LVNs not only perform routine procedures like inserting catheters, but they also listen to a patient’s concerns. Showing compassion and understanding is often just as important as the services performed by doctors.

Education is the first step

The various perks of becoming a vocational nurse might sound great, but it all starts with your education. Completing a quality LVN program can help aspiring LVNs stand out during their quest for healthcare employment.

�ǿմ�ý’s Vocational Nursing program is one of the largest LVN programs in California and is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians. Students who enroll in �ǿմ�ý’s LVN program receive a well-rounded nursing education that allows them to provide optimum care after licensure.

offers both full-time and part-time enrollment in its LVN program, providing students with flexibility around their busy lives.

The full-time program offers classes during the day and can be completed in 12 months. The part-time program offers classes during evenings and weekends to accommodate students who work other jobs. Students in the part-time program complete it in 18 months.

�ǿմ�ý offers the Vocational Nursing program at its Colton Campus.

�ǿմ�ý’s LVN program consists of both theoretical and clinical components. Once these are completed, students receive a certificate from the program. The course work at �ǿմ�ý prepares students not only for real-world healthcare positions, but also for passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

All vocational nurses in the United States are required to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The exam assesses the core competencies required by all candidates to fulfill the role of a vocational nurse safely and effectively. Each state in the U.S. has at least one board responsible for the licensure of nurses. The licenses required by the state boards of nursing help ensure public safety.

�ǿմ�ý offers plentiful resources to its vocational nursing students to help them prepare for the NCLEX. Such resources include full-time NCLEX tutors and NCLEX review classes, which are offered for free as part of enrollment in the program. In some cases, students may be eligible for financial assistance with first-time application costs, in addition to other fees associated with acquiring a vocational nursing license.

�ǿմ�ý also offers students career assistance beyond acquiring their vocational nursing license, including resume help, mock interviews and externships. These resources help LVN students capitalize on lucrative entry-level healthcare jobs.

As far as financing your education while you’re in school, �ǿմ�ý has you covered. They offer a variety of different financing and payment options. There is also financial aid available to those who qualify. All you have to do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Vocational nurses start making a difference and saving lives sooner than other nurses. The need for nurses will only continue to grow as millions more Americans reach age 65 and beyond. Every LVN will make a difference in combatting the need for healthcare professionals.

All of the benefits of becoming a vocational nurse can be yours. What are you waiting for? Discover the �ǿմ�ý Difference. Get started today at summitcollege.edu.