Vocational Nurse Job Description: What Does It Involve?

I'm considering becoming a vocational nurse after high school, but I'm not sure exactly what the job entails. What are the main responsibilities of a vocational nurse, and what kind of training would I need?

A Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in some states, is a healthcare professional who provides basic nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse or physician. This can be a rewarding career for those interested in helping others and working in a fast-paced healthcare setting.

Your typical responsibilities may include:

1. Monitoring vital signs: This includes checking blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate.

2. Basic patient care: These tasks can include dressing wounds, changing bandages, helping patients with personal hygiene, and assisting with mobility.

3. Medical administration: You might also be involved in administering medications and vaccines, and maintaining patient records.

4. Patient assessment: Observing patients and reporting changes in their health status to the medical team is also a crucial part of LVN job.

5. In some settings, you may also help with labor and delivery, newborn care, and mother-baby bonding.

To become an LVN, you will need to complete a state-approved vocational nursing program. These programs often last approximately one year and can be found at community colleges, technical schools, or hospital-based schools of nursing. They combine classroom learning with supervised clinical experiences. Subjects can include pharmacology, nursing, and specific health issues like pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health.

Following the completion of the program, you'll need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed. Depending on the state, there may be additional licensure requirements.

This career path offers a quick entry into the nursing field, and is also a stepping stone to more advanced nursing careers if you choose to further your education in the future. However, one thing to be cognizant of is the physical demands of the job - LVNs are often on their feet for the majority of their shifts and may be required to lift or move patients.