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 ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ 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.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝â€™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 ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝â€™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.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ 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. ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ offers its Vocational Nursing program at its Colton Campus.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ 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.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ 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 ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ Difference. Launch your rewarding VN career today by calling (888) 504-2552 to speak to one of our friendly representatives.

While you may have heard of a registered nurse or RN, there are several different “levels” of nursing that you might want to look into before committing to a lengthy RN or BSN program. One of these is the Vocational Nursing degree. In contrast to being a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner, the VN scope of practice is slightly different.

“As an instructor, I must know my students individually. Teaching them how to think what is right and how to make good decisions. We encourage them to be strong and to be persistent. We guide our students the way of nursing: to be humble, kind, compassionate, and sympathetic. We help students to change their lives for the better.”

– Victor Obillo, Instructor  

Below is an outline that details the career of a VN, how someone might start their VN education, why licensed vocational nursing is a healthcare profession in demand, and more:

What is a Vocational Nurse?

You could think of a licensed vocational nurse as the first “level” of nursing. VNs carry out multiple daily duties of keeping patient records, assisting RNs in providing patients education on their medical conditions, and checking patients’ vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation level, and heart rate.

In addition to these medical-related duties, an VN might help a patient complete basic hygiene tasks, such as dressing, bathing, or brushing teeth. VNs might supervise nursing assistants, who have completed a training program in helping nurses care for patients.

The LVN title implies, as you may have guessed, that that person has completed a nursing program and holds a nursing license.

How are VNs Different from RNs?

All levels of nurses are involved in patient care, recovery, and maintenance, but each type of nurse has different education and therefore different responsibilities.

Registered nurses usually earn a two-year Associates degree or a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, and their education is more science-based: they might take classes in anatomy, biology and chemistry, psychology, and nutrition to best care for patients in their charge.

Vocational nurses can complete their education – which is a combination of coursework and hands-on training in several aspects of ptient care – in as little as a year at some community colleges.

Because LVN coursework is not as in-depth as RN coursework, VNs must work under the supervision of an RN.

What VN ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ Are Available?

So, you’re leaning towards the LVN career path – what’s next?
What type of education will lead you to this degree?
You’ll need to have completed a high school education, but if you have not yet obtained your high school diploma, don’t worry – nursing is not out of reach for you.
Be sure to inquire about our high school completion program. Most LVNs start with a one-year degree or an Associates’ degree from a community college.
As detailed above, LVN education includes coursework in several areas that overlap with the RN degree. If you’re looking at VN ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ in San Bernardino, ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝â€™s LVN coursework specifically includes:

• Clinical Skills
• Nutrition
• Psychology
• Pediatrics
• Obstetrics
• Patient Education

These courses will provide you with a great foundation of the VN scope of practice as well as the obstacles you might encounter when caring for all types of patients.
Remember: VNs can work in many settings, so it’s best to have exposure to many different patient scenarios before your first official day on the job!

What Kinds of VN Jobs Are Out There?

You could find employment in nursing homes, hospitals, long-term care facilities, doctor’s offices, and you also have the option of working in private care in somebody’s home.
As you can see, you have the option of choosing a setting that will allow you to tailor your career to your lifestyle. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of a large facility like a hospital, you can choose a home health setting. If you would prefer to work with seniors and not children, you have many options to find work in a nursing home or extended care facility – both of which employ a large number of LVNs.
Because the Baby Boomer population is aging, the career options for LVNs who wish to work with the elderly or in nursing homes are expected to grow rapidly over the next decade, as many of these seniors will need full-time care.
If you don’t see yourself working in an assisted living facility, there are still several options for you: do you prefer the medical side of care, like taking blood pressure and giving injections? You might want to work in a private doctor’s office. If blood makes you feel squeamish, consider working in mental health.
Psychiatric hospitals, or inpatient care facilities for people with acute mental health issues require LVN assessment to help develop treatment plans for patients, make sure the patients’ rooms are safe, and assist patients in their daily recovery. The LVN career has an ideal workplace for nearly every personality.

What Are the Pros of Being an VN?

Close relationships with patients, great entry-level salaries, and excellent job security might top the list.
If you’re the type of person who is a team player, can multitask well, and has a love for both people and science – an LVN career might be a perfect starting point for your nursing career.
Additionally, if you want to advance your degree to the RN level at any point, there are several options for you to do so.
Many colleges and universities offer an LVN-to-RN degree, which results in a Bachelor of Science in nursing and gives you the RN license.
Your options are numerous.  today to begin your education as an LVN.

There are currently living in the United States who are over 65 years old. The United States Census projects this number will more than double by 2060. In conjunction with increasingly prevalent chronic illnesses, such as obesity and diabetes, the need for nurses is at an all-time high.

While many future nurses opt to attend four-year colleges and universities for their degrees, vocational nurses can enter the workforce sooner. Many vocational nurse (VN) programs can be completed in less than two years.

It is crucial that the number of nurses in the workforce meets the demand for healthcare in the coming years. An increase in vocational nurses can help meet these needs.

What is a Vocational Nurse?
What exactly is a vocational nurse? The (BVNPT) describes a vocational nurse as “an entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care.” They typically work under the guidance of a registered nurse or a physician.

A vocational nurse (VN) and a licensed practical nurse (LPN) are the same in educational requirements, certification process and the tasks they perform on the job. The titles may be used interchangeably.

What do they do?
Vocational nurses work along side doctors and registered nurses in a variety to different medical settings. Common tasks licensed professional nurses perform include the following:

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

The responsibilities of an VN are not as extensive as a registered nurse (RN) or a nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). However, depending on the state in which they are employed, a vocational nurse’s role may be vastly different than VN’s in another state.

Where do they work?
Among the many places vocational nurses are employed are physician’s offices, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and nursing homes. Where doctors and registered nurses are employed, there are also likely to be VNs.

In addition to medical establishments, 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.

How do you become a VN?
Students seeking to become vocational nurses typically enroll in a VN program at a college offering a program. VN programs are comprised of both theory and clinical components.

The specific number of hours required to complete an VN program vary depending on the school and the state in which the school is located. Using California as an example, the BVNPT curriculum requires 1,530 total hours of study: 576 hours of theory and 954 hours completed in a clinic. The 576 hours of theory include 54 hours of pharmacology.

Once the clinical and theoretical work is completed, students receive a certificate from the program. Following completion of the program, aspiring vocational nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Candidates must pass the exam to work in the healthcare field as VNs.

Licensure exam
All vocational nurses in the United States are required to take and pass the NCLEX. The exam measures a candidate’s competencies needed to perform the role of a vocational nurse . 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.

VN vs. BSN
There are many benefits of enrolling in an VN program at a vocational school as opposed to a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program at a four-year university. One advantage that VN students have over BSN students is that they can enter the workforce sooner. Whereas BSN programs traditionally take four years to complete, VN programs are typically completed in less than half the time, between 12 and 20 months.

Another upside to choosing the VN route compared to pursuing a BSN degree is the price tag. Depending on the school, a four-year BSN degree can cost . On the other hand, VN programs tend to run between $20,000 and $40,000.

Nursing programs at four-year colleges require stellar academic performance in the first two years of classes for admission into that institution’s nursing school. Even with immaculate grades, there are a finite number of students accepted each term. With VN programs, there is no such waiting or rigorous application process for admission.

Alternatives to in-state education
Though completing a vocational school’s VN program in one’s desired state of employment is one way to qualify to take the NCLEX, it is not the only way. Just as each state has its own nursing board, each state also has its own guidelines for licensure exam eligibility.

California, for example, has three additional ways a candidate can qualify for the exam beyond completing a vocational nursing program in the state.

Other means of qualifying include completing an approved out-of-state vocational nursing program or equivalent schooling and experience. Applicable education and experience in the United States military is also an option for gaining NCLEX eligibility.

Candidates can visit their respective state’s for more information on licensing eligibility options.

Employment Outlook
Given that VNs perform a variety of duties in a variety of different medical settings, it is no surprise that the job outlook for vocational nurses is promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment for licensed practical and vocational nurses to by 2024, relative to 2014. The BLS attributes this projected growth to the rising demand for healthcare services needed to care for the aging baby boomer population.

According to the National Council on Aging, “about 80 percent of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 68 percent have two.” vocational nurses will be especially needed in residential care facilities to care for this aging generation.

The BLS also suggests that job prospects are even more favorable for candidates who “are willing to work in rural and medically underserved areas.”

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 VN employment in California will increase by 21 percent during that same period.

Education is the first step
A quality education can help an aspiring vocational nurse stand out during their quest for healthcare employment. ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝â€™s Vocational Nursing program is one of the largest VN programs in California is accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians. Students who enroll in ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝â€™s VN program receive a well-rounded nursing education that allows them to provide optimum care after licensure.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ offers both full-time and part-time enrollment in its VN 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. ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ offers its Vocational Nursing program at its Colton Campus.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ 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.

ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ also offers students career assistance beyond acquiring their vocational nursing license, including resume help, mock interviews and externships. These resources help VN students capitalize on lucrative entry-level healthcare jobs.

Vocational nurses start making a difference and saving lives sooner than other nurses. The need for nurses will not be going away any time soon. Discover the ĐÇżŐ´«Ă˝ Difference. Get started today at summitcollege.edu.