Not only do Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide an invaluable service, but they often benefit from job stability, decent salaries, and career satisfaction. In addition, LVNs spend less time in school than RNs. Many LVN programs can be completed in just one year, allowing you to start your dream career as quickly as possible.
Overall, LVNs receive valuable exposure and experience. They work alongside doctors and RNs and make a difference in the lives of their patients. At the end of the day, healthcare careers are all about helping others.
Click here to learn more about how to become a Vocational Nurse.
Now that you’ve decided to pursue Vocational Nursing, the next step is to find the best program for you. There are several questions you should consider when searching for a VN program. In your research, you should gather as much information as possible about your selection criteria, including cost, length, location, accreditation, and certification opportunities.
Furthermore, the best Vocational Nursing program should be tailored to your individual needs. For example, some students may prefer smaller class sizes. In contrast, others might place more value on time set aside for clinical externships or benefit from a large university setting. Before enrolling anywhere, don’t be afraid to ask questions when meeting with admissions representatives.
Here are some sample questions you could ask when applying for VN school:
Depending on each school’s admissions requirements, many VN programs will have a unique set of obligations and prerequisites. Make sure you check the school’s website or speak with an admissions representative to understand their entry requirements better.
If you don’t want to spend years in school, a Vocational Nursing diploma might be your preferred choice. The VN program at Unitek can be completed in as little as 12 months. The goal is to equip you with the right skill sets to help advance your career. Unlike a degree program, your coursework typically won’t include general education courses. Instead, the curriculum tends to focus more on nursing tasks.
Vocational Nursing degree within a year, though you must complete a VN program first. For instance, the ASVN program at Unitek College can be completed in as little as ten months (again, you must complete a VN program first). This path can lay the groundwork for a higher-level degree, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing.
Most Vocational Nursing programs will have prerequisites that must be completed before starting. While some colleges may have stricter requirements, others implement more lenient or accepting prerequisites. For instance, the admissions process for the VN program at Unitek College can be completed online. Some of their admissions requirements include the following points:
Keep in mind that requirements for a VN program will vary by school. Check with the program advisor or admissions counselor to view a complete list of prerequisites. Many schools will require proof of certain immunizations and a passing grade on an entrance exam.
At Unitek College, VN program applicants must complete a prerequisite course before pursuing the VN program. One of the prerequisite course requirements is a passing score of 17 or higher on the entrance exam, also known as the “Scholastic Level Exam – Q” (SLE-Q).
In addition, VN students must provide proof of various immunizations, which include but are not limited to the following:
It all depends on the person as well as their strengths and weaknesses. To determine how challenging it may be, start by compiling a list of your strengths and weakness. Think about your personality type, as well as your interests and motivations. Most importantly, decide which aspects of a VN program are non-negotiable. For example, if you work full time, you may already know that an online or hybrid-online program format is vital to your success.
Many people tend to think that success is a straight and linear path. For most people, it’s just the opposite: Failure leads to success. While some exams or clinical simulations may be intense, remember that your program is designed to prepare you for the field.
The difficulty of your studies may also depend on the type of program you select. While degree programs lay the foundation for higher study—and potentially more job opportunities—they also require more time in school. Additionally, they are usually not necessary for entry-level nursing positions.
If you need to launch your career sooner, you can typically complete VN training for a diploma program in as little as 12 months. These programs may not set the foundation for higher study but will equip you with the necessary skill set to launch a successful Vocational Nursing career.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has developed two exams to test the competence of aspiring RNs and LVNs. If you take the NCLEX-PN exam, you might be given multiple-choice questions or questions delivered in alternate formats. These can include but are not limited to multiple-response, fill-in-the-blank calculation, ordered response, and/or hot spots (think a picture or diagram that requires analysis). Some questions may also provide visual aids like charts, tables, graphics, sound, or video.
In addition, the test can include anywhere from 85 to 205 questions. Since it uses a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) format, no single exam will be identical to another. The (CAT) format measures the difficulty level of each question and, based on your answer, varies the difficulty level accordingly.
This means that the difficulty level will increase if you answer questions correctly (the opposite is also true). After you’ve completed the minimum questions, the computer can start applying its pass/fail rules to determine if you passed, failed, or need to be asked more questions. This process continues until it determines whether you have passed or failed the exam.
When studying for the NCLEX exam, the amount of time you should set aside really depends on you. Some people require more time to review, while others prefer to take the exam right after they graduate from their Vocational Nursing program. In general, you should set aside at least one month to study for the exam, with several hours committed each day.
See test plans and other study aides from the NCSBN here.
VN program and get started on the road to a rewarding career today.
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While this blog may occasionally contain information that relates to Unitek College's programs or courses, the majority of information provided within this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to represent the specific details of any educational offerings or opinions of Unitek College.
*Please note that wage data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or other third-party sources may not be an accurate reflection of all areas of the country, may not account for the employees’ years of experience, and may not reflect the wages or outlook of entry-level employees, such as graduates of our program. (accessed on 4/5/2024)
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