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Vocational Nurses: Valuable Part of The Team
If you’re interested in starting a nursing career, working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) is the perfect first step!
You’ll provide direct patient care in places like physicians’ offices, health clinics, or hospitals. LVNs work with patients to give the most basic care – helping them bathe, get dressed, eat, stand, or walk. You’ll be helping a patient feel calm and cared for as she/he receives medical treatment. In addition, you will help provide some important medical assistance. You will administer medications, perform physical assessments, watch for responses to medications, and perform routine tests.
The Vocational Nursing program at American Career College will train you in all of these areas through the Self-Care Deficit Theory of Nursing. You will learn how to provide a high level of care, and prepare for the state licensing examination through a combination of classroom teaching and hands-on training. After graduating from ACC and earning your license, you can further develop your career by becoming certified in other areas, like performing blood draws and starting intravenous lines.
Licensed Vocational Nurses are expected to have faster than average employment growth between now and 2018. With growth projected to be around 21%, LVNs are going to be in high demand as the current population of baby boomers ages. Job opportunities for LVNs aren’t limited to a hospital setting. In fact, in 2008, only 25% of LVNs worked in hospitals.* Many LVNs are employed in nursing care facilities, doctor’s offices, home health care, residential care facilities, outpatient care centers, and government agencies. Many LVNs also have the flexibility of working part time.
The program at American Career College combines 580 hours of theory with 856 clinical hours and 124 lab hours, resulting in 1,560 total course hours. While this may seem like a huge time commitment, ACC provides a variety of options that can complement almost any schedule. Classes can be taken either during the daytime, or on evenings and weekends. The year round program takes place over four comprehensive terms. Before reaching the clinical portion of the program, all students are required to practice on each other and mannequins in the skills labs. This intensive training program ensures that all of ACC’s VN students are prepared to offer the highest level of care possible.
In addition to this intensive training, the ACC program includes books and materials in the cost. Students also have access to a career services department that helps them search for jobs, fill out applications, write resumes, and prepare for interviews. The services available are designed to equip every student with tools to find and maintain desirable employment.**
American Career College also prides itself on a great NCLEX-PN exam preparation program. The NCLEX-PN exam is one that every student must take after graduation to become a licensed vocational nurse. At ACC, students sit through a free eight-week review program that prepares them for the exam.
By beginning your career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse, you will open the doors to many career possibilities. You may also consider continuing your training to become a Registered Nurse, giving you the chance to develop your career at a healthcare facility. There are many opportunities for advancement in nursing, and becoming an LVN is the first step.
*http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm **ACC cannot guarantee employment
