If you are looking to get a nursing license then you have four levels to choose from in the United States. The higher you go in nursing level, the more procedures you are qualified to do and the higher your salary becomes.
The first level is a certified nursing assistance or CNA. Compared to other healthcare personnel, a CNA doesn’t need a lot of training, but they also cannot do more sophisticated tasks. Orderlies used to be another term for CNAs, but today they are more commonly referred to as nurse’s aides, home health aides or patient care technicians. CNAs aren’t exactly nurses, but rather they perform tasks as directed by a nurse. Depending on where you work, you will have different tasks that you are expected to do. Typically CNAs are involved in basic day to day patient care such as dressing, bathing, feeding, walking and going to the bathroom. It takes a few weeks of classroom and a month or two of on the job training to become get a nursing license for a CNA.
The second level of nursing is a licensed practical nurse of LPN, also known as licensed vocational nurses or LVNs. These are the individuals who are on the front lines of health care. Depending on the state you live in your responsibilities will vary, but typically in addition to basic patient care these nurses help develop care plans for patients, assess patient progress, communicate health issues to patients, dress wounds, apply compresses, give alcohol rubs and massages, administer some medications, give some injections, do IVs, insert catheters, take testing samples as well as perform some lab tests, help with baby deliveries and perform CPR. LPN/LVNs still cannot work directly with a doctor, rather they must take their instructions and directions from nurses of a higher level. A year of diploma education is needed for this nursing license.
The third level is registered nurses or RNs. These are the nurses who perform a wide variety of medical tasks and procedures under the direction and instruction of the doctors themselves. In addition to the jobs performed by LPN/LVNs, the RNs also operate medical equipments, give nearly all medicines and injections, assist in surgery, administer care plans, supervise other nursing staff and more depending on the work environment. A minimum of two years of diploma or associate degree study is required to get a nursing license as an RN, but many hospital would prefer a person to have a four year bachelor’s degree.
The fourth and top level is advanced practice registered nurses or APRNs. These are nurses who have additional specialty certification in addition to their nursing license as an RN. These can be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Certified Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Specialist for Psychiatric/Mental Health or Nurse Practitioner. At least a four year degree and some postgraduate study is required for these positions with some even requiring a master’s degree.
I am interested in acquiring a RN license on line, your assistance will be highly appreciated thanks in advance.
Comment by Kamran Baba — December 5, 2007 @ 10:51 pm