The Career Outlook Of A Vocational Nursing Program

The outlook for a candidate interested in enrolling in a vocational nursing program to become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) has never been more promising and fulfilling. Within the next decade, it is expected that the field of LVN's must increase by at least 22%, a higher industry growth rate than almost any other industry in the country. LVN's are in demand and will be for the foreseeable future.

As a matter of fact, the estimate of a 22% growth potential in the LVN field was calculated prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act of 2010, which estimated that an additional 30 to 40 million people would be seeking health care that currently do not. As that represents an approximate increase of 10% of the population, the added need for LVN's may bulge to 30% or more in the coming decade.

A person wanting to enroll in and complete a certified LVN curriculum is virtually guaranteed a position open for them as soon as they are certified and licensed by the state to practice as an LVN. Not only are entry-level LVN's necessary; there will shortly be an increased need of experienced LVN's to take supervisory positions in the field, so advancement opportunities are and will continue to be available to the ambitious LVN.

As an added benefit and potential increase in need, there are continually increasing procedures which were only able to be performed in hospitals, but with technical advances and new discoveries, more of these procedures, such as post-surgical care or physical therapy, are able to be carried out at out-patient care facilities or even in the patient's home, costing the patient much less than once required for extended hospital stays and requiring a growth of the number of LVN's serving in the expanding home care industry.

In addition, there is career change and advancement possibilities for the LVN to consider for future enhancement of a career:

- Occupational therapist: this position will require achievement of a master's degree in a physical therapy discipline, but the rewards are great both in expanded patient care and in earning potential, for which the median pay scale exceeds $70,000 annually. This position would assist patients in post-surgical, illness or injury recovery of the use of arms and legs or other areas of the body.

- Assistant to an occupational therapist: this position requires a 2-year associates degree in a health care or therapeutic discipline to assist the patient care noted above. Its median annual pay is nearly $50,000.

- Physician's assistant: Practice medical care under the direction of a medical doctor or surgeon and are trained to be able to diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses. This position requires a master's degree in a medical discipline and carries a median salary of nearly $90,000.

There are other career advancements possible for the experienced LVN, but first, the experience must be gained to demonstrate the enthusiasm and qualification to advance into one of these positions.