Nursing Career Paths
Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) offers a plethora of opportunities for education in nursing. There are four different program options that provide pathways for students to dive straight into the healthcare field or to use as a launching pad to work towards a bachelor’s degree.
Nursing is an ever-growing field with expansive career options. The healthcare industry is growing in demand and constantly needs nurses to fill vacancies. The variety of jobs, competitive salaries, and extensive benefits all make nursing a viable career option.
Medical Assisting
The Medical Assisting program equips students to work effectively in various healthcare roles. Upon completion of this 15-hour program, students receive a certificate of completion from LSCO and are then eligible to take certification exams through the National Center for Competency Testing.
Medical assistants perform both administrative and clinical duties and can work in many settings including private practices, hospitals, and outpatient clinics.
Careers: Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Personal Care Aide, Home Health Aide
Average Annual Salary: $43,350
Vocational Nursing (LVN)
The Vocational Nursing program is a block-based program designed to prepare LSCO graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN/VN) to be a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
LVNs work under the supervision of a registered nurse and/or a physician, providing nursing care to patients.
Careers: Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Average Annual Salary: $54,670
Registered Nurse (RN) Transition Program
The Registered Nurse (RN) Transition program is a one-year program to prepare licensed vocational nurses (LVN) to take the state board examination (NCLEX-RN) to become registered nurses.
This program builds upon knowledge already accumulated by LVNs to provide the most efficient pathway to becoming an RN.
Careers: RN LVN
Registered Nursing (RN) Associate Degree Nursing
The Registered Nursing (RN) Associate Degree Nursing program is a two-year program that, upon completion, makes students eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become an RN.
RNs can work in a variety of settings, providing graduates with an array of career options in the nursing field.
Careers: Registered Nurse (RN)
Average Annual Salary: $73,300