Licensed Vocational Nurse

Licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) help care for ill or injured people and perform health maintenance duties under the direction of physicians, osteopathic physicians, dentists, and registered nurses. Most LVNs provide basic bedside care to patients such as taking vital signs, applying dressings, helping patients with bathing and personal hygiene, and administering prescribed medications. LVNs observe and report on patients' symptoms, reaction to treatment and medication, and progress.

Work Environment
Licensed vocational nurses work in hospitals, nursing homes, doctors' offices, private homes, health departments, and other settings. They generally work 40-hour weeks, including weekends, nights, and holidays. The work demands that they be on their feet most of the time and requires bending, stooping, lifting, and walking.

Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for licensed vocational nurses in Texas is projected to grow by 24 percent, with 13,600 new job openings from 1993 to 2005.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Vocational nursing training programs usually require one year of study and are offered in community colleges, technical and vocational centers, and hospitals.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $24,000 - $32,000.

Educational Programs
Associate Degree

Alvin Community College
Amarillo College
Angelina College
Austin Community College
Baptist Health Systems
Bee County College
Blinn College
Brazosport College
Central Texas College
Cisco Junior College
College of the Mainland
Collin County Community
College District
Covenant Health System
Del Mar College
El Centro College


El Paso Community College
Galveston College
Grayson County College
Hill College
Houston Community College System
Howard College
Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Kilgore College
Lamar University - Beaumont
Lamar University - Orange
Lamar University - Port Arthur
Laredo Community College
Lee College
McLennan Community College
Midland College
Montgomery College
Navarro College
North Central Texas Community College
North Harris Montgomery
Northeast Texas Community College
Odessa College
Panola College
Paris Junior College
San Antonio College
San Jacinto College - Central Campus
San Jacinto College - South Campus
South Plains College
St. Phillip's College
Tarrant Junior College - South Campus
Temple College
Texarkana College
Texas Southmost College
Texas Woman's University
Trinity Valley Community College
Tyler Junior College
Vernon Regional Junior College
Victoria College, The
Weatherford College
Wharton County Junior College

Professional Associations
Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas (LVNAT)
1033 La Posada Dr., Ste. 220
Austin, TX 78752-8626
512/454-8626

National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service
1400 Spring St., Ste. 330
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301/588-2491

Texas Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
P.O. Box 430
Austin, TX 78767-0430
512/305-8100
Fax: 512/305-8101

Health Career Pages information is one of many health careers resources available from AHEC centers. Please contact your regional center for further information and career counseling services.