What Is an LVN Nurse?

An LVN is a Licensed Vocational Nurse which is licensed by the state to provide practice patient care. Some states use the term LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). LPNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) can work in a variety of health care settings.

LPNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) are often found working under the supervision of physicians in clinics and hospitals, or in private home health care. In long term care facilities, they sometimes supervise nursing assistants providing many of the same services also performed by Registered Nurses (RNs).

LVN’s however, must be supervised by Registered Nurses (RNs) or doctors, and cannot do everything a RN Registered Nurse does. Preparing rooms for new patients, bathing or cleaning up patients are typical LVN jobs. The LVN is usually trained for a year to two years in analysis, functioning, and patient care. Once education is completed, the LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) must also do supervised work prior to applying for licensure.

LVNs can specialize in a field of medicine that is most motivating to them. LVNs are in very high demand in long-term care facilities or nursing homes . An LVN can take temperatures, measure blood pressure, take a medical history, give injections and also perform CPR in case of emergency. Supervision is under the practicing doctors and does not create the same issues as supervision required in a hospital setting. Like all licensed medical professionals, the LVN must maintain their license through continuing education.

Basic Criteria Information about LVN Nurses

In order to become an LVN, a student must take almost two year professional education course. He or she can also pursue certification by doing nursing specialization in particular area of the medical field. Professional colleges and some nursing schools offer LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) programs, along with practical knowledge to students.

Nature of Work

Once he or she is certified, an LVN(Licensed Vocational Nurse) can provide patient care at different levels ranging from Routine nursing tasks like assisting patients with bathing, going to the bathroom, and going to physical therapy is often part of the work of an LVN(Licensed Vocational Nurse), along with monitoring patients, charting changes in their condition, and collecting samples for testing, monitoring patient response to medications, wound care, performing fundamental measurements (blood pressure, heart rate, pain management, temperature, rehabilitation, oxygen saturation, etc), maintain patient records, and collect blood and urine samples for lab testing. They may perform simple lab diagnostic procedures like urinalysis.
LPNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses) cannot perform complex tasks like anesthesia induction and surgery, but they can be involved in many aspects of a patient's care.

Career Opportunities for an LVN Nurse

Employment prospects for an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) tend to be quite good. Many countries experience constant nursing shortage, and welcome skilled medical professionals who can assist with patient care. Depending on an LVN's preference, he or she could seek employment as a private nurse caring for patients in their homes, or hospital. Some LVNs also decide to pursue additional education so that they can become Registered Nurse (RN) or doctors.