Those who attend an LVN school in California can expect to take a variety of classes. The students not only receive training in real life situations, but they also will learn about many topics that relate to the skills that they will use on the job.

These types of nurses do not have the same types of responsibilities as an RN. They provide support systems for RNs and doctors while taking care of patients. They may do the basic duties of patient care such as monitoring a patients condition by taking temperature or blood pressure readings. They have to understand the various body systems and how they work together.

Students can typically expect to learn about the nursing field in general. They will learn what each type of nurse and medical professional involved in patient care does. How to document information will also be part of this process. There may be some discussion about cultural differences within society play a role in nursing care.

Other courses that a licensed vocational nurse in California will be require to take will involve different areas of the body. The cardiovascular, or heart system, muscular and skeletal system, urinary, blood, and respiratory systems will all be the focus of different lessons. An LVN must know how these systems work together but also what is considered normal or abnormal in each one.

Things that affect the patient will also be studied. Nurses have to know about medications and how they are used. Techniques for maintaining sterility and sanitary conditions have to be fully understood. How to safely move a patient so that they are not harmed and the nurse is not injured is also something that is taught. Students will also learn how to correctly collect and handle any specimens that are collected as well as how to store them.

Pain management is a topic that students will learn about. They will learn what can be done to assist cancer patients and those with other painful conditions. They will also learn about palliative care, or care that is used to help people who have terminal illnesses remain comfortable through the process. A related topic can be how people deal with grief and dying.

Part of the training will involve reproductive issues as well as childbirth. Students will about how to care for new mothers as well as infants. There will also be information about immune system disorders such as HIV. Common conditions such as diabetes care are also things that are topics in LVN school in California.