Everything You Need to Know about LVN Programs
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The field of health care has evolved in many ways throughout the years. The increasing demand of patient care services due to the aging population has sprung to the birth of paraprofessionals aside from nurses and doctors in the medical and community settings. In the United States, Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are widely offered in many schools.
What is a Licensed Vocational Nurse?
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) are among the many metaprofessionals in the health care field. The term LVN is widely used in the United States. Other terminologies that are more or less the same as the job description of Licensed Vocational Nurses are Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), in selected states in the US; Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs); Enrolled Nurses; Division 2 Nurses; and State Enrolled Nurses.
LVNs do basic health care and nursing procedures under the direct supervision of registered nurses or other health care professionals. They are the lower counterparts of registered nurses (RNs), and thus need their supervision in carrying out their duties.
LVNs mainly assist patients in their activities of daily living. Among their scope of practice are:
- Assisting patients during feeding, and in the preparation of their meals.
- Assisting mobilization of patients, such as with assistive walking devices, and transferring of patients.
- Aiding patients with their basic hygienic needs, such as in bathing, grooming, and dressing.
- Taking vital signs, like the blood pressure, temperature, pulse and respiratory rates, and the pain score.
In some areas, when LVNS have enough professional work experience, they can supervise Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) or Nursing Aides.
LVNs work in a variety of work settings. They can be in the clinical setting, such as in the hospital, hospice facilities, nursing homes, psychiatric and rehabilitative institutions, and private clinics. LVNs can also opt to do community work.
Requirements
The basic requirement for admission to a Licensed Vocational Nurse program is that you need to possess a high school certificate, or GED. You must also be able to pass the entrance examination offered by most schools.
However, it is important to note that schools have varying requirements for admission. Some schools may require pre-requisite course before you can start taking classes in their educational institution. In cases like that, you may want to cross enroll with other schools offering the same courses.
Cost
The training program for LVNs is essentially cheaper compared to RN and MSN programs. However, there are still other expenses that are necessary in taking an LVN program, such as the affiliation fees for clinical experience, school uniform, medical supplies, and books.
The good thing is that interested students can have the privilege to avail financial aids in both government and private institutions. Scholarships and grants are offered in many private institutions. Student loans are also made possible and easier by the subsidiary of the government. Work-study programs also give students a chance to have their LVN education for free, in return of a specified duration of service to the institution that offers the financial aid to them.
Length
LVN Training programs are widely offered in many community colleges, vocational schools, universities, and private institutions. The length of time of study for the completion of an LVN program is about 1 year of full time classes, or approximately less than 2 years at a part time basis. LVN programs are practically shorter than bachelor's degree programs in nursing. However, depending on the program that the school offers, the length of time for completion may vary.
LVN to RN Programs
The advantage of nursing education is that bridge programs are available and offered in many schools. A significant number of people take LVN programs to be able to start working and earning immediately, while working out to have their license as a registered nurse along the way.
LVN to RN bridge programs make it possible for LVNs to become registered nurses. While LVNS earn a lot, RNs typically earn more as they have a larger scope of practice and responsibilities, ergo, making it a typical career goal for nursing paraprofessionals, such as LVNs.
LVN to RN programs work by helping the LVN to take pre requisite course for an Associate's degree in Nursing (APN). Having a APN degree can qualify you to take the NCLX-RN, an examination for registered nurses.
However, LVNs must be able to accumulate a specific clinical work experience before being able to apply to an LVN to RN bridge program.
LVN to BSN Programs
Having a bachelor's degree in nursing typically gives you broader career opportunities as a nurse, compared to a one-year LVN program. The LVN to BSN program makes it possible for LVNs to work their way up in obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing that allows them to work as registered nurses upon completion. The program gives credit to their course work from their LVN training program, shortening the length of time required to finish the supposedly 4-year course.
LVN to ADN Programs
An LVN to ADN Program is a bridge program that allows LVNS to take a 2-year associate's degree in nursing. This is another pathway for nurses to become a registered nurse. Students must be able to take up the pre-requisite courses and work experience requirements for an ADN Program.
Online LVN Programs
The birth of the internet has paved the way for distance learning to be a reality through online degree programs. Many schools offer an online LVN program that takes just about the same length of time for completion. The primary advantage of an online program is the convenience. Students can have the luxury of time to do the course work at their most available time. They also have 24/7access to class syllabus, lesson modules, and other academic materials though a private interface created by the school to foster online education.
However, not everything can be done online in an online LVN program. Nursing, or health care per se, is a highly hands on practical field .LVN programs typically require students to have supervised clinical duties in medical facilities. This essentially cannot be done online, but has to be completed through actual practice.
Top 7 Schools That Offer an LVN Program in Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA)
5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, California 90032CBD College
5724 West 3rd Street, Third Floor, Los Angeles, California 90036Community Based Education Development (CBD)
5724 W. Third Street # 314, Los Angeles, California 90036Marian Health Careers Center
3325 Wilshire Blvd Ste 1010, Los Angeles, California 90010Mount St Mary's College (MSMC)
12001 Chalon Rd, Los Angeles, California 90049University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
405 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, California 90095Walter Jay MD Institute An Educational Center
1930 Wilshire Blvd Ste 700, Los Angeles, California 90057
