
The salary of a licensed vocational nurse mainly depends on the level of experience and the facility of employment. Read through this article to know the current pay scale trends.
The best thing about working in the health care industry is that it has no or very little impact of any unfortunate financial situation such as the economic recession. Out of the many medical jobs, a career as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) is a notable one. The duties performed by them are the same as those carried out by licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The only difference between both is that in some states such as California and Texas, a licensed vocational nurse is a term used for an LPN.
Salary Range
The main determinants of the salary range are the level of experience and the place of employment. A nurse who has just started working or has less than a year’s experience, can earn an annual pay starting from USD 27,000 to USD 40,000. Those with one to four years of experience can expect a yearly salary between USD 24,000 to USD 47,000. And those with five to nine years of experience can earn between USD 37,000 to USD 47,000 per year.
Senior positions with 10 to 19 years of experience can demand a yearly remuneration of USD 34,000 to USD 53,000. Those with over 20 years of work experience, may earn anywhere between USD 38,000 to USD 53,000. Coming to the state-wise classification, California has a higher pay range than that in Texas. LVNs in California can receive a per annum pay ranging from USD 41,000 to USD 52,000. Whereas in Texas, the pay package for these medical professionals is between USD 29,000 to USD 44,000 per annum.
Due to increased living costs in the state of California, the pay potential is slightly higher than in Texas. Considering all the determinants, the median annual salary is recorded at USD 45,000 approximately. For better prospects, a majority of these workers opt for a career as a registered nurse, after a few years of experience. The pay scale also depends on the type of employer which can be a large public hospital, a small private medical facility, a physician’s office, or any other health care setting.
Note: The above data only pertains to the state of California and Texas.
Job Description
The job description includes all tasks that relate to basic patient care. They have to carry out significant tasks under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses. As an experienced LVN, one would be responsible for supervising the work carried out by certified nursing assistants (CNAs). They have to prepare patients for medical examinations, assist them during tests, record the details and results of the examinations, and inform the same to the doctors.
They may be required to administer prescribed medicines to patients after consulting the physician. They also need to take care of a patient’s personal hygiene, which usually involves assisting with bathing and dressing wounds. However, their duties may vary greatly from one facility of employment to the other.
Along with the financial remuneration, those who opt for a career in nursing find a lot of emotional satisfaction by serving people in need.