Nursing Programs

Vocational nurses have a variety of different places that they can choose to work at. Vocational nurses can earn more money by being willing to work nights or weekends. Additionally, vocational nurses may work full time at one facility and per diem (on call) at another to increase their earning power. Nursing is a career that offers a great deal of flexibility, allowing nurses to choose their working hours.

Hospitals are one common job prospect for vocational nurses. Hospitals allow nurses to work as a general nurse or to specialize in care, such as pediatrics or cancer patient care. Hospitals also allow the greatest flexibility in scheduling, since they need employees to work twenty-four hours a day. Most hospitals have nurses who work three 12-hour shifts a week. Some hospitals offer shifts that allow the nurses to work only on the weekends, earning a full time salary for doing this. Hospitals also offer part-time positions for those who do not want to work full-time.

Vocational nurses have the opportunity to work in the home health care field. A home health care nurse visits the homes of the patients to provide care. Typically, the nurse will check vital signs, administer medications, and may assist in bathing the patient. The patients are usually visited once a day and a nurse will have several patients to visit on a regular basis. Hospice care is a specialty area for home health care nurses. A hospice nurse will help to care for the terminally ill patient who would prefer to pass away at home or in a hospice center. Home health nurses receive a higher wage because of the travel involved in the job.

Other opportunities

Clinics and out-patient surgery centers also provide opportunities for a vocational nurse. These positions allow the nurse to have a more traditional schedule of a five-day work week. This is a good position for those wanting more regular working hours. Vocational nurses in these settings would help to care for patients after the completion of a procedure done in the clinic. This field is growing as more procedures are transferred from the hospitals to the clinics.

Nursing homes provide excellent career opportunities for vocational nurses. Nursing homes allow licensed practical nurses to become charge nurses. This is a great place to work if a vocational nurse wants to advance their career. Job opportunities continue to increase in this field because of the growing senior population. Nursing homes also need nurses 24 hours a day and can offer flexibility in scheduling.

Vocational nurses can begin earning money much more quickly than registered nurses. Many hospitals will pay for vocational nurses to continue their education in the medical field; in return, the nurse agrees to continue to work at the hospital for a set amount of time while finishing their education. This is an excellent way to increase your earning potential.