To get the best vocational nursing training, you will need to identify nursing training courses and programs in your area or, if you don't mind relocating, nursing schools outside the area where you live. You should evaluate each school for its educational offerings, its job placement services, as well as the logistics of being able to afford and to attend classes. Also consider your own career goals, as different types of vocational nursing training may be better suited to the pursuit of advanced education and different levels of nursing practice.
When investigating a vocational nursing training program, make sure that it is approved by the government licensing board for nurses in your jurisdiction. You should also find out if the school has been the subject of any recent disciplinary actions. Visit the school to have a look at its facilities and to talk to its instructors. You may also want to ask about where its student nurses complete their field training, as some may be able to place you in better hospitals than others.
Ask about financial aid and scholarships. You may be entitled to significant financial assistance in going to school, although some schools may be able to provide more aid or lower tuition than others. Consider course scheduling and the location of classes. Some schools may offer night or weekend courses that can allow you to work a day job while going to school. Additionally, some schools may offer online learning options, which can allow you to take some or even most of your coursework from home, making it easier to meet other commitments.
The training to become a nurse varies by jurisdiction. In some places, such as the United States, nurses may have several options for receiving vocational nursing training. Individuals who want to train as licensed practical nurses, also known as licensed vocational nurses, may be able to complete their education through a high school vocational training course, at a trade school, or through a community college. If you aspire to higher levels of nursing practice, you may be able to begin your training at a vocational college and then transfer to a community college or university. Training obtained through an academic institution may also permit you to more easily continue on to postgraduate education and higher levels of professional licensure. You may wish to speak to a career counselor or academic adviser about which educational path is best suited to your professional ambitions.
