- Annual income levels for licensed vocational nurses from across the United States and with all levels of experience ranged from less than $28,890 to more than $55,090 as of May 2009, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual income for LVNs was $39,820. LVNs who worked for nursing care facilities and home health-care services tended to earn above the national median. LVNs who worked in major metropolitan areas tended to earn a higher rate of pay than those who worked in rural settings.
- All 50 states and the District of Columbia require LVNs to be licensed by the state board of nursing. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, but all require candidates to complete a state-approved course of instruction from an accredited educational institution. This course of instruction typically includes studies in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, patient care, population-specific studies such as maternity nursing and gerontological nursing, and training in communicable diseases. A benefit for LVNs is the ability to qualify for an entry-level professional nursing position in one year or less.
- Some individuals may believe they want to work as a registered nurse, but don't really know what the job entails. Since the training program for LVNs is considerably shorter than educational requirements for RNs, a candidate may have the opportunity to work as a nurse to determine whether it is a career path she may truly enjoy. The benefit to the LVN is that, if she determines she likes the nursing profession, she may enroll in an LVN-to-RN educational program and receive credit for her previous experience and education. If she determines the nursing profession is not for her, she hasn't spent the extra time gaining an education she will not use.
- Nursing is the largest occupation in the rapidly expanding health-care occupational category, according to the BLS. The BLS projects new job opportunities for LVNs to grow 21 percent between 2008 and 2018. Home health-care services and nursing care facilities should provide the best employment opportunities for LVNs. Those who are willing to work in areas that have been traditionally underserved by the health-care industry, such as inner cities and rural communities, may also find excellent employment opportunities.
previous post