Exploring Licensed Vocational Nurse Jobs Post-High School?

I'm considering becoming a licensed vocational nurse after high school. What kind of jobs are usually available for LVNs, and what does the day-to-day work look like? Is it a good career path right out of high school?

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), also known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) in some states, can find employment in various healthcare settings. These typically include hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, physician's offices, home health care services, and outpatient care centers. Depending on the workplace, an LVN's responsibilities will vary, but they typically include tasks like monitoring patient health, administering basic patient care, giving injections and medications, and reporting patients' health status to Registered Nurses (RNs) and doctors.

The day-to-day work of an LVN might involve bathing and feeding patients, documenting patients' health concerns, performing basic diagnostic tests, and assisting the healthcare team in procedures. It often involves directly interacting with patients, providing compassionate care, and educating patients on health management.

As for the question of whether it's a good career path right out of high school, there are pros and cons. On the plus side, it's faster to become an LVN than an RN because the training takes about a year, after which you take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. This allows you to start working and gaining experience in the field sooner. It's also a profession that is fairly in demand, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 3% growth in LVN jobs from 2023 to 2033.

However, it's important to note that LVNs often have less autonomy in their work than RNs and restrictions on the healthcare procedures they're allowed to perform vary by state. Moreover, LVNs' salaries tend to be lower than those of RNs.

Ultimately, whether it's the right career path right out of high school depends on your individual goals, financial situation, and the level of patient care you want to provide. Many individuals start as an LVN and then use that as a stepping stone to become an RN. This allows them to work and earn money while still furthering their education, and many nursing schools offer LVN to RN programs for this very reason.