What does a Licensed Vocational Nurse do?

Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. As part of their work, LVNs collect samples for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, and record food and fluid intake and output. They also clean and monitor medical equipment. Sometimes, they help physicians and registered nurses perform tests and procedures. Some LVNs help to deliver, care for, and feed infants.

Work Environment

LVNs work in all areas of Healthcare including hospitals, nursing homes, medical offices and in home Healthcare. Most LVNs work a 40-hour week in these settings however when dealing with patients who need constant care, some LVNs need to work nights, weekends and holidays.¹

Employment

Employment of LVNs is expected to grow 21 percent between 2008 and 2018, faster than the average for all occupations.¹ This increase is in response to the long-term care needs of an increasing elderly population and the general increase in demand for healthcare services.

In home health services employment of LVNs is expected to grow much faster than average as opposed to other nursing work environments. Home healthcare agencies will offer a large number of new jobs for LVNs because of an increasing number of older people with functional disabilities, consumer preference for care in the home, and technological advances that make it possible to bring increasingly complex treatments into the home.

In nursing care facilities, employment of LVNs is expected to grow faster than average, and provide the most new jobs for LVNs because of the growing number of people who are aged and disabled and in need of long-term care. In addition, LVNs in nursing care facilities will be needed to care for the increasing number of patients who have been discharged from the hospital but who have not recovered enough to return home.

Earnings

According to the US Department of Labor the medial annual wages of licensed vocational nurses were $39,030 in May of 2008.¹ As LVNs gain more professional experience and higher degrees of education, including a Bachelor or Master of Science in Nursing, their potential earnings will greatly increase.

1. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm. As viewed on January 9, 2012.