LVN Career Path - Why Should I Become A Licensed Vocational Nurse?

If you're reading this article, then it is likely that youGet Nursing Experience
have been considering a career in nursing. Great! YouOne major benefit is the experience you gain, both
are choosing a path that is both rewarding, and will bewhile taking your LVN course, and when you start in a
fulfilling as a lifelong career. One thing still needs to benursing job.
answered though, where should you begin?It is a sad fact, but some people just aren't cut out to
There are actually a couple of ways to go aboutwork as a nurse. The unfortunate thing is, some people
becoming a nurse. You could choose to go tonever discover this until after they have completed
University or College. This way of going about it, wouldfour years of school. When you choose to start as an
likely take you out of the workforce for three to fourLVN, the course itself usually includes a work
years; while you earn a bachelors degree and workexperience component. If you did decide that you
towards RN licensing. However, there is a betteraren't cut out for nursing after you have taken the
alternative that will get you working faster. Thatprogram, then you have really only spent a year in
alternative is the Licensed Vocational Nurse Career.school, and haven't wasted four years getting started
Many colleges and vocational schools allow for LVNin a career that you aren't going to pursue.
training, as an alternative to spending years in college.Shorter Route to Registered Nursing
An LVN career can be started in less than one year.Another big benefit in becoming an LVN is that it
There are fast track programs, that will get youquickens the path to becoming a registered nurse.
educated faster. Once you start your nursing job as aWhen you've begun your nursing job, you can always
licensed vocational nurse, you can make it your careerchoose to become an RN. With a years experience
choice, or continue with your education to become anworking as a licensed vocational nurse, you can take
RN.an LVN to RN program. This 8 month fast track
The duties of a Licensed Vocational Nurse differprogram is the quickest way to become a registered
slightly from that of the registered nurse. LVN's arenurse. Instead of taking a 4 year bachelor degree
usually supervised by a doctor or an RN, and theyprogram you spend one year in LVN training, one year
may not perform all of the same duties as theworking, and less than a year taking the RN course.
registered nurse. However, there are someThat's 2 years and 8 months instead of 4 years, and
advantages to choosing this route to start in nursing,you are more qualified for a variety of nursing jobs
and once training is complete, many people choose(since you have already worked in the field).
Licensed Vocational Nursing as a career.So, Should I Become an LVN?
Even if you don't choose LVN as your career, thereThe short answer is yes. If you are planning to start a
are two major benefits to starting your nursing job asnursing career, becoming a licensed vocational nurse
an LVN instead of spending years becoming an RN.will give you the right start. As a career choice, the
Those benefits include experience, and a shorter routeLVN career is very rewarding, and as a stepping
to becoming a registered nurse.stone to registered nursing it is the faster way to go.