Requirements For Becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse
Date: September 25, 2023
Nurses are in demand everywhere. If you want to make a real difference in society and be part of an exciting career, you should enter nursing now. One entry-level way to begin your nursing career is as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
An LVN typically:
- Monitors patients’ health by checking their blood pressure, body temperature, and other vital signs;
- Provides basic patient care and comfort, including changing bandages and helping with bathing or dressing;
- Discusses care with patients and listens to their concerns;
- Reports patients’ status and concerns to registered nurses, advanced practice nurses, or physicians;
- Documents patient care and maintains health records.1
LVNs Versus RNs
While the training for an LVN takes less education than for a Registered Nurse, many nursing basics are covered. Moreover, a Vocational Nurse education has an emphasis on practical skills. This is so much the case that in some states, the same position is termed Licensed Practical Nurse. In contrast, RN duties are primarily medical. RNs may dispense medication, run diagnostic tests, and analyze the results, etc.2 Most often, LVNs must work under the supervision of RNs. Whereas RNs generally work under physicians.
Steps to Becoming an LVN
If you want to become an LVN, there are a few essential steps. First and foremost, you will need to complete your high school education. Obtaining a high school diploma is crucial as it serves as the foundation for further education in the healthcare field.
Becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse in the United States consists of two steps:
- First, one must fulfill an educational requirement;
- Second, one must pass a licensing exam.
Academic Requirement for the Vocational Nurse
Notably, the educational requirement for the LVN is satisfied by completing an accredited VN program. Moreover, vocational schools, private colleges, and community colleges typically offer this. Whereby most VN programs generally take one to two (1-2) years to complete. 
Gurnick Academy offers a 13* month or 52 approved instructional weeks, a diploma-based course where students receive didactic and laboratory instruction and clinical experience.
Students pursue supervised clinical practice and classroom study within a typical VN program. Additionally, Gurnick Academy has high-fidelity mannequins for students to practice nursing skills in their classrooms safely. Moreover, clinical experience allows them to work on actual patients.
A good VN program provides an overview of anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, obstetrics, pediatrics, and psychiatric nursing. Gurnick Academy is committed to students performing well on the NCLEX.® Because of this, the last four (4) weeks of our Academy’s program focus on NCLEX® preparation. This instruction seeks to help our students go confidently into the exam.
Licensure Examination Requirement
The PN licensing exam, the NCLEX-PN® (National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse), is administered by one’s governing state board. The topics tested on the NCLEX-PN® are based on patient needs. Some subjects include health promotion and maintenance, psychological integrity, physiological integrity, and a safe and effective care environment.
Moreover, VN licenses require periodic renewal. Conventions vary from state to state and may include a continuing education requirement and a fee.
One may use their VN education to work in the nursing field or use their vocation as a launching pad to pursue higher levels of nursing or even other healthcare fields. By and large, becoming an LVN requires dedication and hard work. But with the proper education and preparation, you can achieve your goals and soon be on your way to a fulfilling career in nursing.
Interested in this Program?
Interested? Go here to learn more about Gurnick Academy’s Vocational Nursing Program today.~
Citations
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. (Accessed August 30, 2023.)
2 “Difference between an RN and an LVN.” NurseRegistry. February 19, 2019. (Accessed August 30, 2023.)
