Preliminary data from the 2022 Survey of California Registered Nurses indicate that RN employment has remained stable over the past four years, but many older RNs have left nursing.
With a shortage of RNs, employers are increasing their efforts to retain RNs and develop career paths for newly-graduated RNs.
It appears there is no better time than the present for young adults to start a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. If you are looking to get your foot in the door of the healthcare field, studying to become a vocational nurse (VN) might just be the perfect fit for you.
But hold on, wait, what exactly is a vocational nurse?
A VN, as defined by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), is “an entry-level health care provider who is responsible for rendering basic nursing care.”
VNs work in medical settings next to doctors and registered nurses, performing tasks like taking blood pressure, changing bandages and maintaining patients’ health records. Depending on the state in which you are employed, a vocational nurse’s role may be vastly different from that of VNs in other states.
To help you figure out if studying to become a vocational nurse is the right move, below are a few positives and three not-as-positives to consider before enrolling in an VN program.
CON: Responsibilities Are Limited
Vocational nurses work under the supervision of doctors and registered nurses in a variety of different medical settings. Some of the common tasks vocational nurses execute include the following:
- Monitoring a patient’s health (e.g., blood pressure, temperature)
- Administration of basic care (e.g., applying/changing bandages, inserting catheters)
- Listening to and addressing patient concerns
- Maintaining patient health records
The responsibilities of a VN are not as extensive as those of a registered nurse (RN), as RNs are able to administer medicine and perform a wider array of jobs.
It is worth noting, however, that your role as a VN may vary greatly depending on the state in which you are employed and the medical establishment for whom you work. But, the tasks still play a vital role in the overall care of patients.
PRO: Start Working Sooner
In studying to be a VN, you will be able to complete your education and prepare for a career in a shorter period of time. Most VN programs can be completed in 12 and 20 months, whereas other nursing education programs can take more than twice that time to finish.
CON: Do Similar Work as RNs with a Different Pay Scale
While the responsibilities of RNs and VNs are quite similar, there are some differences. RNs for example, are allowed to administer medications, vaccines and other pharmaceuticals, whereas VNs are not permitted to do so, save for some rare exceptions.
PRO: Many Options to Further Your Education
The good thing about studying to become a VN is that once you earn your certification and work for a little while, there are programs available for you to upgrade your occupational title to registered nurse (RN).
There are also VN to BSN (Bachelor of Science of Nursing) programs offered nationwide if such a degree would be more useful in making your nursing dreams a reality.
Advancing your education allows to you to specialize in an aspect or type of nursing that perhaps sparked your interest during your VN program or time in the workforce as a VN.
“The best way to be a nurse is to lose yourself in the service of others. That’s what nursing is all about.”
Abigail Ignacio, VN Instructor
PRO: Make a Difference in the Lives of Patients
Fewer things in life are more gratifying than the knowledge that you helped make a difference in someone’s life. If you are considering a degree in the health care field, it is a fairly safe bet that you realize this and wish to do something about it.
An aspect of a VN’s job that cannot be overstated is listening to patients. Hearing what they are saying and making them comfortable contribute greatly toward treatment and their overall wellbeing.
Discover the Summit Vocational Nursing Difference
A thorough education can help you, an aspiring vocational nurse, separate yourself from the pack of other VN candidates when looking for your first nursing job.
Summit College’s is one of the largest and best VN programs in the state of California. The program is also accredited by the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians.
As a student enrolled in Summit College’s VN program, you will receive a well-rounded nursing education that will allow you to provide optimal patient care after you pass your licensure exam.
Summit College offers both full-time and evening & weekend enrollment in its VN program, providing you with flexibility around the other obligations in your life.
The full-time program offers classes during the day and can be completed in 12 months. The evening & weekend program offers classes during evenings and weekends to accommodate students who work other jobs.
Students in the evening & weekend program complete it in 18 months. Summit College offers its Vocational Nursing program at its Colton Campus.
Summit College offers plentiful resources to its vocational nursing students to help them prepare for the NCLEX. Such resources include full-time NCLEX tutors and NCLEX review classes, which are offered for free as part of enrollment in the program.
Summit College also offers you career assistance beyond acquiring your vocational nursing license, including resume help and mock interviews. These resources can help you capitalize on lucrative entry-level health care jobs.
Vocational nurses are able to get into the thick of nursing and help better the lives of patients.
The need for nurses will not be going away any time soon.
Discover the Summit Difference. Launch your rewarding VN career today by calling (888) 504-2552 to speak to one of our friendly representatives.
Tags: California, career in nursing, Healthcare, Licensed Vocational Nurse, Licensed Vocational Nursing, LVN, nursing
