Choices For Entering the Health Care Field As LVN - By: Govindan

Licensed Vocational Nurses have many choices in terms of training programs available throughout the United States. LVN programs (called LPN programs in many other states) are available in the private school setting and also in public or community college setting throughout the nation. They may be termed LPN colleges as well. LPN stands for Licensed Practical Nurse, which is the title given to vocational nurses everywhere in the country, except Texas and California, where they are called LVN's or Licensed Vocational Nurses. LVN's / LPN's differ from Registered Nurses (RN's) in their level of education and scope of practice. Scope of practice for LVN's and RN's are determined by each state, and it is the responsibility of all nurses, whether VN / PN or RN to know and fully understand their scope of practice. Scope of practice is defined as which interventions you are legally able to perform according to the laws in your state.

For LVN's, the primary nursing intervention performed is data collection. Data collection sounds sort of cold and impersonal, but in reality as an LVN, nothing could be further from the truth. Within the LVN's scope of practice is the responsibility to collect data in order to provide the Registered Nurse or Medical Doctor (Physician) or dentist (DDS) with periodic patient status reports. In reality, as the LVN collects data, s/he is providing hands-on patient care by interacting with the patient and being the main source of healthcare-provider contact throughout the day. It is the furthest thing from cold and impersonal. Many times, LVN's have first access to the patient's status, the family's involvement, the patient's fears and feelings, etc. In short, they bring an understanding and kind face to the patient's sometimes confusing world of health care. Patient's feel particularly vulnerable when entering a health care facility, as their individual identity is replaced by identical gowns, the discouragement of jewelry or other adornments, unfamiliar food, sights, sounds and schedules. LVN's bring humanity to the forefront as they treat each patient as if they are cared-for family members in order to provide the most empathic and compassionate care.

The choice of an LVN career (LPN career) by way of an LVN college (LPN College) enables students a faster tract to providing hands-on patient care than a typical Registered Nurse program. Also, an LVN / LPN program is a stepping stone to an RN program, while allowing the newly licensed LVN to begin working as a nurse while studying further to obtain their AA/AS degree and RN license. For many individuals wanting to enter the medical field and become a nurse, an LVN program (LPN program) is the right choice.

About the Author

Vocational Nursing School in California offers 14 month LVN nursing programs didactic lab and clinical sessions in the evenings.

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