There are three nursing designations in the United States. They are licensed practical nurse (LPN) or, in some states, licensed vocational nurse (LVN), registered nurse (RN) and at the zenith, nurse practitioner (NP).

Not surprisingly, the difference in pay scales among these designations directly corresponds to the cost of achieving them.

Licensed Practical Nursing and Licensed Vocational Nursing are not degreed designations. They are certificates or diplomas, usually earned in 12 to 18 months of schooling. The shorter classroom time and typically lower tuition costs at various colleges and technical schools combine to make this an affordable way to get your foot in the door of the medical profession.

A word of caution! Many hospitals have stopped hiring LPNs, choosing to employ only RNs and BSNs. Do some research in your state and community to determine trends where you live or plan to work. That said, LPNs remain in demand by doctor’s offices, and a variety of other health facilities.

As an LPN, you are at the bottom of the nursing food chain, so what can you expect to earn? Government sources indicate earnings for the average the average LPN in the United States of approximately $36 thousand annually in 2006. In comparison, the same source reports earnings of $56 thousand annually for a registered nurse. As for job opportunities, This source is forecasting continued demand through 2016 especially for RN’s.

So, what is the take away from this? If money is an obstacle to becoming an RN or BSN or even an NP, starting as an LPN/LVN can get you into the workforce and earning money quickly. If you can land an LPN/LVN position with a large nursing home or clinic that has a tuition assistance program, you can leverage your LPN/LVN into an RN, BSN or NP degree and you’re your employer will pay all or part of your tuition.

It isn’t uncommon for RN’s to start their careers as licensed practical nurses and then go back to school to receive their RN degree when they are in a stronger financial position.

Another thing to remember about the LPN is this; they do the grunt work, the routine and repetitive tasks, such as cleaning and dressing wounds, bathing patients, taking blood pressure and temperature, ensuring patients are taking their medication on time, and assisting in maintaining the patient’s overall welfare. An RN or physician usually supervises LPNs.

One perk worth mentioning is job security. As an LPN/LVN, your job is not going to be outsourced and demand for qualified health professionals is only getting stronger as our population ages. Although many RN’s are being “imported” from other countries to meet demand here in the US, no LPN/LVN’s are granted work visas to the United States of America.

Whether you choose to be an LPN/LVN as a stepping-stone to an RN or BSN degree or make it career choice in itself, the field of Licensed Practical Nursing is a challenging, rewarding and respected career.

Author Bio: Winston P. McDonald enjoys writing for Uniformhaven.com which sells landau scrub pants and landau 8555 as well as a host of additional products.

Category: Career
Keywords: licensed practical nurse,registered nurse,nursing degree,practical nurse