Which Nursing Program Is Right For Me?
Job Outlook for Nursing
The opportunities have never been better for people interested in nursing careers. There is currently a shortage of nurses in most areas of the country, and RNs and LVNs have a wide range of settings and jobs to consider. From “high-tech” hospital nursing to “high-touch” personalized home care. Many RNs are also involved in research, health care administration, and education. Nurses have a variety of careers to choose from and a lot of flexibility to choose the hours that suit their lifestyles.
What is an LVN and what do they do?
LVN means Licensed Vocational Nurse. LVNs provide basic bedside care and administer medications, under the care of a physician or registered nurse. LVNs can work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, home health agencies, nursing homes, or as school nurses. The training program for an LVN takes about a year full-time. LVNs make anywhere from $12-18 per hour, depending on what setting they work in.
NCTC LVN Program At A Glance (click link for more details) :
- 1-year certificate program
- Gainesville Campus: Fall or Spring admission available
- Corinth and Bowie Campuses: Fall admission only
What is an RN and what do they do?
Registered Nurses (RN) evaluate patients, develop care plans, give medications, and teach patients how to care for themselves after leaving the hospital. They may also supervise LVNs and nursing assistants. RN’s may work in any health care setting, but the highest demand is in hospitals. The minimum training for an RN is a 2-year associate degree. RN salaries range from $40,000-$50,000 per year, depending on experience, what setting you work in, and what shift you work.
NCTC RN Program At A Glance (click link for more details):
- 2-year Associate Degree
- Pre-requisites at all 3 NCTC campuses and by Distance Ed.
- Gainesville Campus Only– Fall or Spring Admission
What’s the difference between an LVN and RN?
Both LVNs and RNs are licensed to provide direct patient care in health care settings. The main differences are training and complexity of work. RNs are required to have at least two year of training because of their responsibilities in evaluating patients and directing their care plans. LVNs are required to have only one year of training and work under the supervision of a physician or RN.
LVN Bridge Program: Associate Degree (click link for more details)
- Designed to train LVNs to become RNs
- 12-18 months, depending on previous education and experience
For more information...
Contact the WINDOWS Office at 940-668-3328 or email us at windows@nctc.edu