Licensed Vocational Nurses - LVNs
Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provides nursing care under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses. Jobs are projected to grow by 24% in both Fresno County and in California from 2002 to 2012.There is an increasing demand for LVNs as hospitals try to lower operating costs by hiring LVNs instead of Registered Nurses. An increase in the aging population needing long term care is also increasing the demand for more LVNs.
Are you already a nurse and are looking for a pair of comfortable nurse shoe?
Here's what you need to know to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse in California::
1) Licensing Requirement in California
2) LVN Duties and Responsibilities
3) Show me the money!
4) LVN Schools
How to Become a Licensed Vocational Nurse
1) Licensing Requirement in California
You must be licensed by the Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technician Examiners, Department of Consumer Affairs to practice as a LVN in California.
To be licensed in California, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Successfully graduate from the board-approved school of vocational nursing
- Take and pass a written examination - either the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical (Vocational) Nursing (NCLEX) or the National League for Nursing Test Pool Practical Nursing Examination (NLN)
- Submit one set of fingerprints that is acceptable to the State Department of Justice (DOJ)
LVNs must renew their California licenses every 2 years and complete 30 hours of continuing nursing education during each 2-year period.
2) Duties and Responsibilities
A Licensed Vocational Nurse's duties may include:
- Collecting samples such as blood and urine from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples.
- Helping patients with bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, moving in bed, and standing and walking.
- Measuring and recording patients' vital signs, such as height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, pulse and respiration.
- Observing patients, charting and reporting changes in patients' conditions including any adverse reactions to medication or treatment, and taking any necessary action.
- Preparing patients for examinations, tests and treatments and explain procedures.
- Providing basic patient care and treatments, such as taking temperatures and blood pressure, dressing wounds, etc.
3) Show me the money!
LVN salaries vary depending on the size of the community, type of hospital, and the type of job. You can expect higher salaries in acute care hospitals and in the big cities.
LVN starting salaries range from $8.00 to $16.00 per hour. Experienced LVNs can expect to earn from $10.00 to $20.00 per hour. A salary of 10-15% more is paid for evening or night shifts.
The median annual salary of Licensed Vocational Nurses in California is $39,000. Hourly wages range from $14 to over $25 per hour. Annual salaries for LVNs range from $30,000 to over $53,000.
4) Licensed Vocational Nursing Schools
If you are interested in pursuing this career, both the Fresno and Clovis Adult Schools offer a board-approved Licensed Vocational Nursing program:
The best way to decide on a school is to gather the information first and then compare them.
The easiest way to do this is to request information from several schools online and compare the info.Request info from Medical Assistant Schools in CA
| School | Phone # |
| Clovis Adult School | 559.327.2860 |
| Fresno Adult School | 559.457.6000 |