Lvn Programs in Orange County

Located in California, Orange County is home to over 3M residents (2010). Its largest cities include Irvine, Anaheim, and Santa Ana. Students living in this county who are deciding on a career path may want to consider the healthcare sector. Being one of the most prominent industries in the state, healthcare is likely to have thousands of career opportunities in the years to come. Demand for healthcare workers including licensed vocational nurses (LVN) is expected to grow in California according to labor statistics. So enrolling in LVN programs could be a good option for Orange County students.

LVN Programs in Orange County

Orange County boasts a number of technical schools and community colleges that offer nursing education including LVN programs, and prepare students for the future needs of the nursing workforce. LVNs provide basic medical care working under the direction of doctors and registered nurses. Monitoring patients’ health, administering basic patient care, and providing for the basic comfort of patients are some of the responsibilities of LVNs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to become a LVN, students must complete an accredited training program and obtain a license.

LVN programs in Orange County award a certificate or diploma and generally span over one year. But the duration of these programs may vary by the enrollment status of the students.

What courses will I study?

Combining classroom learning with supervised clinical experience, LVN programs instruct students in a number of topics and provide them foundational knowledge in the field of nursing. Coursework may include subjects such as nursing, biology, and pharmacology. Some other topics may include:

• Nutrition
• Anatomy
• Pediatrics
• Pharmacology
• Obstetrics
• Medical-surgical Nursing
• First Aid

Do I need to get a license?

Once you complete a LVN program, you need to get a license in order to practice as a LVN. Licensing generally require candidates to pass an exam. Students may also have to participate in continuing education programs in order to renew their LVN license.

What are the opportunities for graduates?

There were 60,700 LVNs in California in 2012, according to the information with O*Net OnLine. The state is expected to require about 3,040 LVNs a year between 2012 and 2022, which shows a 26% change.

LVNs generally work in:

• Nursing care facilities
• Home healthcare services
• Residential care facilities
• Hospitals
• Offices of physicians

How much do LVNs in Orange Country earn?

Licensed vocational nurses in California earned a medium pay of $51,600 a year in 2013, according to O*Net OnLine. The exact income of LVNs varies by location and experience among other factors.

Can I get financial aid?

Orange County nursing students could apply for financial aid in case they cannot afford a nursing education on their own. Funds are available for eligible students in the form of student loans, grants, as well as scholarships. Students may explore financial aid programs such as:

• Pell grants
• Federal student loans
• Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program
• Health Professions Education Scholarship Program