Vocational Nursing
Upon completion of the program and passing the licensing examination, the LVN can enter the workforce as a competent, skilled nurse. Vocational nurses as they are called in Texas and California provide bedside nursing care at the direction of physicians and/or registered nurses. The practice of vocational nursing is based on concepts from the physical, biological, and behavioral sciences. Each state has its own nurse practice act, so the scope of practice varies from state to state.
As a licensed professional, the LVN uses the nursing process for patient assessment, to contribute to the nursing diagnosis made by the RN and for planning, implementation, and evaluation in providing care.
LVNs are integral to nursing. They provide individualized care in a variety of healthcare settings such as acute care, long-term care, home health care, and other community healthcare agencies.
Vocational nursing students benefit from extensive hands-on learning in one-year programs. Much of their preparation for nursing focuses on supervised clinical experiences with real clients in real health care facilities. This clinical component of education is one of the major strengths of the vocational nursing program.
Because of the versatility in their study, LVNs are among the most patient-focused members of any health care team.
What skills will I learn?
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Administration of Medications
- Legal & Ethical Responsibilities
- Nutrition
- Common Disease Processes
- Preventative Nursing Care
- Therapeutic Nursing Care
- Rehabilitative Nursing Care
- Restorative Nursing Care
- Nursing interventions for patient care
- Cultural Differences in caring for patients
- Psychosocial impact of disease
- Leadership principles
Where can I work?
- Hospitals
- Long-term Care Facilities
- Physician's Offices
- Home Health Agencies
- Hospice Agencies
- Residential Care Facilities
- Schools
- Government Agencies
- Community Agencies
- Registries
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