Medical Training

Each student at a LVN or LPN school learns about nursing care for all stages of life including childbirth and infancy.  During this phase of life, some nurses have a credential to provide greater assistance for the lactating mother and baby.  There is even an association, The International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA), which has over 5,000 members in 50 nations for the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). Nurses, midwives, and physicians are not the only health professionals allowed to become certified as a Lactation Consultants.

This specialty also encourages childbirth educators, dietitians, and other health professionals to apply for certification.  The role of a lactation consultant is far more in-depth than just helping the new mother breastfeed.  According to Valerie Banarie, RN, BSN, CLC from Breastingfeeding.com, Lactation Consultants can address the following breast-feeding challenges: infant latch-on problems, sore nipples, infant’s rapid weight loss or slow weight gain, insufficient breast- milk, and twin infants.

If a LVN or LPN wants to specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding there are several health care settings that can utilize their expertise.  According to the ILCA (www.ilca.org), Lactation Consultants can work in “…hospitals, pediatric offices, public health clinics, and private practice.” For those that want to address global health, the ILCA with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), provides representatives to organizations including the World Health Assembly and United Nations.

Interested in LPN Training?  Learn more about Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

If you have been searching for LPN programs in California, you may have discovered that California is one of two states which uses the term LVN instead of LPN.  LVN stands for Licensed Vocational Nurse vs. Licensed Practical Nurse.  Many LPN programs and LPN schools require both theory and hands-on-training.

The LPN or LVN is a licensed nurse with very similar skills and knowledge of the RN or Registered Nurse.   You can become an LPN or LPN much faster, and can begin your training right out of high-school and without as many pre-requisite classes as RN.  LPNs and LVNs have very satisfying careers and many continue on to pursue their RN and many receive advanced standing in RN programs.

The LPN or LVN is often working in clinics, out-patient hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and in education.  Areas that the LVN is often utilized, is in medication administration, wound care management, and hospice.  Some people think nursing only involves blood and guts, but nursing has so many different career paths, that nursing involves not only caring for the sick, but providing education to healthy people who want to stay healthy such as in wellness checks, prenatal care, and health education.  There is almost always a specialty area that an LVN can be utilized in, including psychiatric hospitals, pediatric clinics, and even OB/GYN offices.