LVN is the abbreviation for Licensed Vocational Nurse and is a certification licensed by the U.S. government. In some zones this term is also known as LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). As a LVN, you can work in several places: care facilities, hospitals, surgical centers, convalescent homes, etc.
However, you cannot work alone. A RN or doctor must supervise you and you cannot do all the things a RN does. A LVN can administer injections and take blood. Some states allow you to start an IV (intravenous line), while other won’t allow you to do this procedure. Also your may be to clean rooms, prepare rooms for patients, bath patients, and clean after patients.
LVN training starts with one or two years in physiology, anatomy and patient care. RN training consists in more years, around 4. And even after you have completed your education, you cannot perform alone, not until you receive your license. Many people say that LVN work harder than RN and yet, they get less salary. In time, though, you can take the RN exam, and have the same salary.
Most LVNs are happy with their position, title and salary and, if they want, have the opportunity to further specialize in this field. There is a high demand for the job and most can benefit from it, in the long run.
Some hospitals prefer to hire RNs over LVNs, because RNs can do more tasks that don’t require supervision. Also hiring RNs is easier and faster
At the same time, doctors’ offices also prefer LVNs over RNs. LVNs require lower salaries, and the doctor supervise the nurse anyway, either LVN or RN. Plus the operations required to be done are quite simple: taking temperatures, looking at medical history, taking blood pressure, performing injections, etc.
LVN is the abbreviation for Licensed Vocational Nurse and is a program licensed by the U.S. government. In some zones this term is also known as LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). As a LVN you can work in several places: care facilities, hospital, surgical center, convalescent home, etc.
However, you cannot work alone. A RN or doctor must supervise you and you cannot do all the things a RN does. A LVN can administer injections and take blood. Some states allow you to start an IV (intravenous line), while other won’t allow you to do this procedure. Also your job will be to clean the rooms, prepare them for patients, bath them, and clean after them.
LVN training starts with one or even two years in physiology, anatomy and patient care. RN training consists in more years, around 4. Even after you completed your education, you cannot perform alone, not until you take your license. Many people will tell that LVN work harder than RN and yet, they get less salary. In time, you can take the RN exam, and have the same salary.
Most LVN people are happy with their position, title and salary and, if they want, have the opportunity to further specialize in this field. There is a high demand on this job and they will benefit from it, in the long run.
Some hospitals prefer to hire RNs than LVNs, because RNs can do more tasks and doesn’t require supervision. Also hiring RNs is easier and faster. Because LVNs must be supervised fewer and fewer hospitals and centers hire LVNs.
At the same time, doctors’ offices will always prefer LVN than RN. LVN have lower salaries, and the doctor will supervise the nurse anyway, either LVN or RN. Plus the operations required to be done are quite simple: taking the temperature, medical history, blood pressure, perform CPR or making injections.