Whichever route you take, you’ll still be successful!

Whichever route you take, you’ll still be successful!

Whichever route you take, you’ll still be successful!

Whichever route you take, you’ll still be successful!

 

When I decided that the medical field was what I wanted to seek a career in, I was presented with many options. A registered nurse, licensed vocational nurse, respiratory therapy, radiology, scrub technician, and many other routes. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to see different things in the hospital. That’s when I decided nursing was for me. I decided to get my vocational/practical nursing license. In 12 short months, I could be an entry-level nurse, getting my foot in the door and gaining experience while possibly pursuing higher education. That’s when I started receiving backlash for the route that I chose. Comments such as: “LVN/LPN’s are getting phased out.” “You will only work in LTC.” “You’re not a real nurse.” It hindered my decision until I did more research. So here’s what I found out about the career and everything it has to offer.

An LVN/PN is an entry-level nurse. To become licensed, you’ll complete your program in 12 to 15 months full-time. I have lectures 2x a week and clinical 2x a week. During my first semester, I learned the foundations of nursing, which both RN students and LVN/PN students complete. Primary care such as bathing, toileting, grooming, assisting with ADL’s were all included during the first few weeks. As the semester went on, I learned how to give injections, administer oral medications, place a catheter, and suction out tracheostomy tubes. We had exams every week compared to the RN students in my school. Traditional RN students meet for lectures 2x a week, with one clinical day. We went five days a week, whereas the RN students met three days.

LVN/PN’s have a limited scope of practice. They assist the RN and the healthcare team in treating patients. LVN/PN’s can only do focused assessments, assessing pain at a certain site and notifying the RN. RN’s do complete assessments from head-to-toe. After an LVN/PN finishes their program, they sit for the NCLEX like an RN, but the exam is specific to LVN/PN. After completing and passing the exam, the LVN/PN will become a licensed nurse. If one chooses, they can bridge from an LVN/PN to an RN in a year or longer. This route was perfect for me. In under a year, I could get my foot in the door as an entry-level nurse, gain experience, and advance my career.

Whichever route you decide to take, you will be successful! You will flourish! 

 

Written by: Devianta Ellis

Instagram: studentnurse.dre

 

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