As much as 41% of licensed vocational/practical nurses work in long-term care. A primary reason for the statistics is the huge demand for health professionals to care for the senior community. While many LVNs are drifting into this sector within healthcare, senior care may not be for everyone. The good news is that you shouldn’t be pressured into working in long-term care if you don’t want to. Vocational nursing programs prepare students to work in various areas, including maternal child care, pediatrics, and medical-surgical wards. With your training, you may successfully find positions in physicians’ offices, home health, correctional facilities, school systems, and mental health centers – just to name a few.
Some LVNs prepare for specialty roles and work with dermatologists, cardiac specialists, and endocrinologists. Others enjoy working with seniors and are eager to take up roles in long-term care facilities and simply grab at the abundance of opportunities available in this area of healthcare. The long-term care needs of the senior population ensure that there will also be opportunities for licensed practical nurses. Contrary the common misconception that LVNs are being phased out, the Bureau of Labor Statistics presents a positive outlook for the profession, projecting an increase in opportunities through 2026. That said, there has been a sharp decline in vacancies for vocational nurses in hospitals. Due to expanded roles, the need for better patient outcomes and its relation to a nurse’s education, and strong calls for a better-educated workforce, hospital employers are hiring more nurses educated at the baccalaureate degree –even for bedside positions. Fortunately, LPN graduates can use their education and experience to secure advanced placement in registered nursing programs.
Delmar College
Graduates of the Vocational Nursing Certificate at Delmar College are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters. Those who complete the program and obtain an LVN license can request continuation in the program to complete the fifth semester of the AAS degree to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses. The program requires completion of 48 semester hours to earn the certification. Course modules include human anatomy and physiology, composition, general psychology, introduction to health care concepts, professional nursing competencies, health care concepts, leadership and professional development, and vocational nurse training.
Admission criteria:
- Meet the general admission requirements of the college
- Complete the HESI A2 with the minimum scores
- Complete Anatomy and Physiology with a grade C or above
- Complete the corequisites with a grade C or better
- Provide documentation of immunizations – Hepatitis B, TDap, and MMR
- Complete the health screening requirements
- Have a negative PPD or chest x-ray
- Current CPR from American Heart Association Health Care Provider
- Complete a satisfactory FBI background check
- Pass a random drug screen
Tuition costs $61 per credit for Texas resident.
- Website: http://www.delmar.edu/vocational_nurse_education/vocational_nurse_education.aspx
- Address: 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, Tx 78404
- Phone: (361) 698-2860
- NCLEX-PN Pass Rate: 100%