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If you're reading this article, then it is likely that you have been considering a career in nursing. Great! You are choosing a path that is both rewarding, and will be fulfilling as a lifelong career. One thing still needs to be answered though, where should you begin?
There are actually a couple of ways to go about becoming a nurse. You could choose to go to University or College. This way of going about it, would likely take you out of the workforce for three to four years; while you earn a bachelors degree and work towards RN licensing. However, there is a better alternative that will get you working faster. That alternative is the Licensed Vocational Nurse Career.
Many colleges and vocational schools allow for LVN training, as an alternative to spending years in college. An LVN career can be started in less than one year. There are fast track programs, that will get you educated faster. Once you start your nursing job as a licensed vocational nurse, you can make it your career choice, or continue with your education to become an RN.
The duties of a Licensed Vocational Nurse differ slightly from that of the registered nurse. LVNs are usually supervised by a doctor or an RN, and they may not perform all of the same duties as the registered nurse. However, there are some advantages to choosing this route to start in nursing, and once training is complete, many people choose Licensed Vocational Nursing as a career.
Even if you don't choose LVN as your career, there are two major benefits to starting your nursing job as an LVN instead of spending years becoming an RN. Those benefits include experience, and a shorter route to becoming a registered nurse.
Get Nursing Experience
One major benefit is the experience you gain, both while taking your LVN course, and when you start in a nursing job.
It is a sad fact, but some people just aren't cut out to work as a nurse. The unfortunate thing is, some people never discover this until after they have completed four years of school. When you choose to start as an LVN, the course itself usually includes a work experience component. If you did decide that you aren't cut out for nursing after you have taken the program, then you have really only spent a year in school, and haven't wasted four years getting started in a career that you aren't going to pursue.
Shorter Route to Registered Nursing
Another big benefit in becoming an LVN is that it quickens the path to becoming a registered nurse. When you've begun your nursing job, you can always choose to become an RN. With a years experience working as a licensed vocational nurse, you can take an LVN to RN program. This 8 month fast track program is the quickest way to become a registered nurse. Instead of taking a 4 year bachelor degree program you spend one year in LVN training, one year working, and less than a year taking the RN course. That's 2 years and 8 months instead of 4 years, and you are more qualified for a variety of nursing jobs (since you have already worked in the field).
So, Should I Become an LVN?
The short answer is yes. If you are planning to start a nursing career, becoming a licensed vocational nurse will give you the right start. As a career choice, the LVN career is very rewarding, and as a stepping stone to registered nursing it is the faster way to go.
