“What is an LVN?” Quite simply, LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) is the title given to an entry-level nurse in California or Texas (they are called LPNs elsewhere) who is supervised by a Registered Nurse (RN) or doctor and is responsible for performing most basic patient care tasks. The LVN is considered one of the most-important team members at any health care facility because she or he has more regular contact with the patients than anyone else, and consequently has the best read on their needs of any caregiver. For this reason, employing a solid staff of Licensed Vocational Nurses is crucial to the successful operation of any hospital, long-term care facility, or any other health care operation.
What Does an LVN Do?
The LVN’s typical responsibilities include tasks such as taking and recording vital signs, collecting samples for lab tests, dressing wounds, giving injections, feeding and bathing patients, and monitoring medical equipment. Although the limitations differ from state to state, LVNs are usually not allowed to do things like push IV medications (although they are allowed to start IVs almost everywhere) or give patients any other types of medicines unless explicitly ordered by a doctor or RN.
What are the Requirements to Become an LVN?
In order to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse, you must first enroll in and pass an accredited LVN training program. In California, the curricular requirements for an LVN program to become fully-accredited include 1,530 total hours of study broken down into 576 hours of Theory, 954 hours of Clinical study, and 54 hours of Pharmacology. Course content must also include: Anatomy and Physiology, Psychology, Pharmacology, Nursing Process, Communication, Patient Education, Nutrition, Normal Growth and Development, Rehabilitation Nursing, Maternity Nursing, Nursing Fundamentals, Pediatric Nursing, Medical/Surgical Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, Supervision, Leadership, and Communicable Disease including HIV.
Entry requirements for LVN programs in California typically dictate that the applicant is at least 17 years old and has a high school diploma or equivalency (e.g. a GED).
The second step in becoming an LVN is to earn your vocational nursing license. Becoming licensed requires you to pass a standardized examination called the NCLEX-PN, which is a multiple-choice test intended to verify your knowledge of the following four areas:
• Safe and effective care environment
• Health promotion and maintenance
• Psychosocial integrity
• Physiological integrity
A passing score on the NCLEX-PN is the last major hurdle that you must clear in order to become an LVN in the state of California.
What is an LVN’s Salary in California?
There are several factors that go into determining how much an LVN’s salary will be, but the standard range in 2011 was $14 – $24 per hour (or $26,880 to $46,080 per year) according to the State of California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. The average LVN salary in California can vary greatly depending upon which part of the state a person works in, which type of facility he or she works at, and how much experience he or she has.
What is an LVN’s Long-Term Job Outlook?
With the health care industry expected to expand dramatically in California as the state’s population ages over the next 20 years, the need for LVNs is expected to be extremely high. As a matter of fact, by most estimates, the Golden State will need to add more than 150,000 new Licensed Vocational Nurses over the next seven years just to keep pace with demand. So, if you began this article by asking “What is an LVN?”, in addition to the other answers you’ve found, you can also add “a job of the future” to the list.
Recommended LVN Programs in California!
Programs:
- Licensed Vocational Nurse
- Certified Nursing Assistant
Programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.
Programs:
- Vocational Nursing
- Medical Assistant
Programs:
- Vocational Nursing
- Medical Assistant
Programs:
- AS in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Vocational Nursing
- Certificate in Medical Assisting
- And more...
For over 35 years, Keiser University has provided student-centered, quality career education. Keiser University Online offers degree programs online to prepare students for in-demand professions.
Programs:
- Nursing, MS
- Medical Assisting, AS (Online)
You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find new opportunities after graduation.
Programs:
- Diploma - Vocational Nursing
- Diploma - Medical Assistant
- Certificate - Medical Assistant
Pursue your education with The University of Texas Arlington. We offer a number of certificate, bachelors, and master's degree programs in the fields of education and nursing, plus general education courses for bachelor's degree completion.
Programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.iot.edu/disclosure.
Programs:
- Vocational Nursing-Diploma
- Professional Medical Assistant
Kaplan University is focused on recognizing the achievements of military and veteran students and offers the flexibility of an online education. Eligible students can receive college credit for prior military experience and coursework—up to 75 percent of the credit needed for a Kaplan University undergraduate degree.*
Programs:
- MS in Nursing
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- MS - DNP Path (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
- And more...
