by Natalie Peeterse
npeeterse@armystudyguide.com
Army Study Guide Columnist Are you a medic hoping to put your Army-honed skills to good use after your service?
Nursing is a growing field
in desperate need of skilled hands. Licensed Vocational Nurses, or LNVs, are the glue that hold hospitals and health clinics together. LVNs carry out much of the daily work of caretaking. They care for patients by providing them information and creating care plans after monitoring them closely and getting to know them. Along with providing basic care, like taking vital signs, giving injections and applying dressings, LVNs work under the direction of registered nurses and doctors.
The Nursing Industry is BoomingThe health care industry is expanding and growing at a rapid rate. Because of this, nurses are paid more now than ever before. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
LVNs
made around $33,970 in 2004, though some made as much as $46,270.
Studying Nursing While You ServeAnother great aspect of taking the steps to become an LVN is that some
nursing degree programs offer courses online. This means that if you begin taking courses now, you could be a licensed vocation nurse soon after you leave the service. You can always progress in this field, too. To move ahead, become a registered nurse or work within a nursing specialty.
Let the Army Help You Earn Your DegreeWith the help of the Army's Tuition Assistance plan, you can
begin taking courses online, from anywhere in the world, to prepare to enter an LVN degree program. Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, which is the licensing exam required for LVNs, you can begin a rewarding career helping people survive and thrive.
SourcesBureau of Labor StatisticsAbout the AuthorNatalie Peeterse lives in Washington, D.C. She is a freelance writer and teaches on-line courses to soldiers.
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