Lvn Programs in California

Nursing is one of the most promising occupations in the United States. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for licensed vocational nurses is expected to grow by 22 percent between the years 2010 to 2020. This is a faster growth rate as compared to the average for all other occupations. The increasing demand for qualified nurses is primarily due to the ageing population and the demand for better medical care and facilities. Nursing is a versatile profession and there are many possible paths leading to nursing careers. Licensed vocational nursing (LVN) is one of the most popular career options in California and aspiring nurses actively enroll in nursing schools in this state. Candidates that are living outside California and interested in pursuing Online LVN program can also apply through OCR Education website.

What Does an LVN Do?
LVNs (they may also be known as licensed practical nurses (LPN) in some states) provide basic medical care to their patients, while working under the direction of doctors and registered nurses. They generally perform the following duties:

• Checking patients' blood pressure
• Keeping records on patients' health
• Inserting catheters and changing bandages
• Helping patients bathe and dress
• Listening to the patients' concerns

Most of the LVNs work on full-time basis in hospitals, private homes, physician offices, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

How To Become an LVN?
Licensed vocational nurses have formal education and must be licensed to practice. A prospective LPN must enroll in an accredited 1-year program and successfully pass it. These programs are offered in community colleges and technical schools. They may also be offered in hospitals and high schools. Upon successful completion, the student will be issued with a certificate which will qualify him/her to take the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-PN. A prospective LVN must successfully pass the exam to get licensed.

What Do LVN students Study?
LVN programs combine classroom learning in subjects like nursing, pharmacology, and biology combined with supervised clinical experience.

Traditional vs. Online LVN Program
These programs are offered both in traditional and online institutes. If the online program is accredited, it is as acceptable as any LVN program from a traditional school or college. Furthermore, online programs are ideal for:

• Older students - who may not feel comfortable studying with students half their age.
• Married students or those with full-time jobs who do not have time to attend a traditional school and would rather study from the comfort of their home.
• Students who cannot commute because the institute is not in their area, etc.
• Students looking to save money as online LVN courses may be cost-effective as compared to traditional LVN courses.

It is worth mentioning here that some requirements of the LVN programs like laboratory work and internship cannot be done online and will have to be fulfilled in a traditional way.

Where to Enroll in California?
There are many institutes offering online LVN programs in California. They may have different enrollment criterion and fees. Therefore, check with the institute before embarking on an intellectually and financially promising career as a licensed vocational nurse.