What Is Above Registered Nurse

Y'all've finally made the determination to respond your calling to become a nurse. At present all you need to exercise is find a program and earn your Nursing degree, right? If only it were that easy.

The truth is in that location are many different levels of nursing degrees and credentials, and many specialties and job titles under each umbrella. So a Nursing caste isn't exactly 1-size-fits-all. There is a precise path and various nurse instruction requirements you'll need to see to pursue the position you lot accept your sights prepare on.

So how is an aspiring nurse supposed to navigate this course? Don't be intimidated by themany credentials yous've come across. When it all comes down to it, the nursing hierarchy isn't as confusing every bit it may seem.

Nosotros created this handy guide to help simplify things for you. Go along reading to proceeds a clearer understanding of the different levels of nursing degrees so you can identify which educational path aligns with your career aspirations.

4 Main levels of nursing degrees and credentials

The fact that there are different credentials in the nursing profession is exciting news. It ways there are potential opportunities out there for those wanting to make an bear upon in the healthcare field—no matter their level of educational attainment. And the options don't end once you're employed, either—you can mold your career to fit your passions and priorities by continuing to climb the nursing hierarchy afterwards on.

Whether you take hopes of specializing, climbing the ranks or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, there are types of Nursing degrees or certifications available to set you for your professional goals.

Let's learn more than almost the four core levels of nursing.

1. Nursing assistant (CNA)

Nursing assistants also go by the championship of nursing aides or CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants). While these professionals are not actually nurses, they are on the frontline of contact between medical staff and patients—and the office can serve as a starting indicate for many nurses. Nursing administration bathe their patients and assistance them apparel, eat, use the bathroom and perform other daily activities. They measure vital signs and listen to their patient's health concerns and transfer patients between beds and wheelchairs.

Some CNAs too may manipulate medication,according to the Agency of Labor Statistics (BLS), depending on their land.¹ They add that CNAs are often the chief caregivers in nursing homes and residential intendance facilities, having more direct contact with the residents than other staff members.

How to get a one:To become a CNA, you must complete a state-approved pedagogy program. A nursing banana training programme can will typically take three to viii weeks to complete. Upon completion of the program, aspiring nursing assistants mustpass an exam to earn their CNA (or related) title. Later successful completion, CNAs are state-certified.

Median almanac salary (2020)¹ : $30,830
Projected employment growth (2020–2030)ⁱ : eight percent

2. Licensed practical nurse (LPN)

LPNs, sometimes known aslicensed vocational nurses (LVNs), are responsible for a variety of patient duties. They monitor patient health and administer basic intendance. Theirtasks might include taking blood pressure level, inserting catheters, starting Iv drips (in some states) and changing bandages. They communicate with patients and sometimes patient family members to brainwash them in the care plan. State regulations vary for LPNs on administering medication and supervision requirements.

How to get ane:LPNs go their start past successfully completing aApplied Nursing Diploma plan. These programs can be found at technical schools, community colleges or career colleges and can unremarkably be completed in as few as 12 months.² After graduation, you lot'll be required to pass the National Quango Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to receive your land license and be qualified to work.

Additional certification is also available for nurses at the LPN level. Certifications show that an LPN or LVN has an advanced level of knowledge about a specific subject field,according to the BLS.ⁱ To proceeds an edge in the job market or to larn some specialty preparation, LPNs can earn certification in specialized areas like Iv therapy, developmental disabilities, childbirth and more.

Median annual bacon (2020)ⁱ : $48,820
Projected employment growth (2020–2030)^ane : 9 percent

iii. Registered nurse (RN)

Registered nurses (RNs) tend to be the group most people acquaintance with the term "nurse." They assume a broad variety of roles in patient care. Theyare responsible for recording patient medical history, monitoring symptoms and medical equipment, administering medicine, establishing or contributing to a plan of care, performing diagnostic tests and collaborating with doctors.

Some RNs tin can be responsible for overseeing LPNs, CNAs and other healthcare staff,the BLS reports.ⁱ Specific task titles and duties volition vary depending on where yous work and the types of patients you treat. There are besides opportunities for RNs to limit their work to caring for specific patient populations, such equallypediatric nursing,emergency nursing,neonatal nursing,psychiatric nursing and more than.

RNs also have a plethora of choicesoutside of direct patient care. The BLS notes that RNs might also work to promote public health, run health screenings or blood drives, or staff the health clinics in schools.¹

How to become 1:In that location are 2 levels of nursing degrees that can lead to a career as an RN: earning anAcquaintance's Caste in Nursing (ADN) or earning aAvailable's of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN program tin be completed in every bit few as 18 months.ⁱⁱ On the other hand, earning your BSN could be done in about 33 months, oras few as 18 months with a prior degree under your belt.²

When choosing which rails to take, it's important to call up ahead and decide what the educational preferences are for the blazon of work you lot want. Some employers (peculiarly hospitals) prefer RNs to accept a Bachelor'southward caste. Many working RNs with an ADN opt to go dorsum to school after to earn their Bachelor'due south degree through anRN-to-BSN online program.

Merely whichever nursing degree level you decide on, you'll still have to laissez passer the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) if you want to starting time working as an RN. Boosted requirements may also exist depending on your state, and then exist sure to look intostatewide RN qualifications also.

Median annual bacon (2020)¹ : $75,330
Projected employment growth (2020–2030)¹ : ix percentage

four. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs)

Nurses who earn theirMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) can go advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). These nurses take all sorts of options when it comes to career choices. They can work independently likewise as in collaboration with physicians,according to the BLS.¹ They can perform all of the duties of an RN as well as more extensive tasks similar ordering and evaluating test results, referring patients to specialists and diagnosing and treating ailments.

For a amend idea of how these nurses fit in the healthcare organization, seethis handy breakup the American Nurses Association offers to highlight the iv types of APRNs:nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists.

There are a few other notable career paths MSN nurses could pursue exterior of these APRN roles. One selection is tobecome a nurse educator and help train the next generation of nurses. Another possibility is to advance into leadership positions, like becoming adirector of nursing.

How to become an APRN:The first step toward becoming an advanced practise registered nurse is becoming an RN. MSN programs typically require candidates to starting time have an RN license, with most preferring a BSN degree equally opposed to an ADN or Diploma,according to the BLS.¹

APRN roles include nurse anesthetist, clinical nurse specialist, nurse-midwife and nurse practitioner (NP). Specific graduate programs be for each of these outcomes including the specialties that nurse practitioners can be licensed in—from family unit medicine, acute intendance, women'south health and psychiatric mental health.

Once you decide which APRN career option to pursue, you lot'll need to gain acceptance into an accredited MSN or DNP program and earn your degree. Depending on the specialty you wish to pursue, there might exist further requirements in order to obtain licensure, including clinical experience or boosted certification.

After graduation, the BLS states that you'll probable need to laissez passer a national certification exam in your surface area of expertise.ⁱ Requirements vary slightly by state, so check out theNational Council of State Boards for Nursing for specifics in your area. Some avant-garde do certifications will also need to be renewed after a certain number of years to remain valid.

Median almanac salary (2020)^ane : $117,670117,670
Projected employment growth (2020-2030)¹ : 45 percentage

Find your ideal level of nursing caste

This simple breakdown of the different levels of nursing should help you have a better understanding of your options in the field. Even so, these only scratch the surface of the career options available within each level.

Now that you're more familiar with the nursing hierarchy, you may have a better idea of which path you'd like to pursue. Regardless of which level of nursing credential you choose, completing the TEAS exam is a common education requirement y'all'll likely encounter. Learn more most what to expect from the exam in our article, "Don't Fright the TEAS Exam: five Common Questions Answered."

¹Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook [career information accessed November 2021]. Data represents national averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of instruction and feel. Ranges do non represent starting salaries and employment weather in your expanse may vary.
^twoTime to complete is dependent on transfer credits accepted and courses completed each term.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was originally published in 2015. It has since been updated to include data relevant to 2021.