No matter which one of the careers in nursing you may be interested in, statistics show that all levels of the nursing professions are in high demand. This demand shows no signs of slowing down. This gives you an opportunity to obtain the credentials needed to start a career in nursing. You can do so with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your profession will always be in demand.
Your job opportunities will increase as the population ages. This ensures you’ll have terrific opportunities, as wel as a great salary! Below are the 4 main careers in nursing. The credentials needed to begin the career are also listed. You’ll learn about the job tasks and salary range. The salary range is from a CNA to an advanced practice nurse.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Careers In Nursing
Not exactly a nursing career, but it can provide you with the basic knowledge of how the health care profession works. You’ll also get clinical training that will come in handy if you want to further your nursing career. Nursing career advancements can include out an associates degree in nursing(ADN) or a bachelors degree in nursing(BSN). All that is needed for you to start a career as a CNA is obtaining a CNA certification. This is done by taking an accredited training course.
Your CNA training course can last anywhere from 75 to 125 hours of training. The average program lasts between 4 to 8 weeks. Some of the jobs duties of a CNA include; testing the vitals of patients, keeping track of the amount of food and liquid consumption of patients, helping patients with their exercises, answering to call lights, keeping rooms cleaned up, making patients beds and upkeep of patient hygiene. Accredited CNA courses can be found by contacting your state’s CNA Board. Salary ranges for careers in nursing as a CNA range from $20,000 to $33,000 a year.
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) Careers In Nursing
This is the lowest level of practice as far as careers in nursing go. It can provide you with a great foundation that can prepare you for higher practice as well as allow you to get a feel for whether you really want to continue a career in nursing for the long run. As an LVN, you’ll be handling many of the activities of an actual Registed Nurse (RN) without having to obtain as much formal training and licensing. Responsibilities are dictated by the physician or the nurse on staff. As an LVN, you’ll work under the direct supervision of these two positions. The state you’re working as a vocational nurse in will dictate what your scope of practice is. Some states allow an LVN to do more than others.
When it comes to the job description of careers in nursing as an LVN, job tasks can include: taking vitals, preparing and administering shots, monitoring patient progess, taking patients medical history, assisting with procedures as well as with diagnostic tests, dress wounds, monitor input and output and more. You may choose to get special certifications to do more serious tasks like administering IV’s, taking blood and giving medicine.
LVN Programs
Most LVN programs last anywhere from 12 months to 24 months. LVN programs in California are typically 18 months or less.LVN careers in nursing are found in places like hospitals as well as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. In order to start a career as an LVN you must complete a state approved training course. You can find accredited programs by contacting your state’s Board of Vocational Nursing. After you complete the program you must receive a passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).
The average LVN salary can range from $39,600 to $47,090. LVNs who specialize in home care make the most. Vocational nurses in skilled nursing facilities usually make the least. Health care agencies commonly employ LVNs to work as one-on-one caregivers.
Registered Nurse (RN) Careers In Nursing
A registered nurse is one who has obtained a degree in nursing, which can range from an associates of science degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelors of science in nursing (BSN) and has passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Most states require that the program is accredited by one of two national accrediting agencies. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) is the largest accrediting agency. The other is the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In order for you to sit for the Boards, your program must be either NLNAC or CCNE approved.
Registered Nurse Job Description
The daily tasks of a registered nurse can include:
- taking and recording vital signs of patients
- taking down medical history
- helping patients understand different treatment methods
- analyzing and interpreting tests to patients
- giving emotional support to patients and their families
- patient rehabilitation
- administering medication.
RN Salary
Salary ranges differ depending on which level of nursing degree you have obtained so far. Graduates who have received their Associates of Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) can expect to earn a median annual salary of $68,450. Some ADN nurses earn less than this, while some earn significantly more. Nurses who have their Bachelors of Science in Nursing(BSN) make an average annual salary of $73,950. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10% of BSN prepared nurses make just over $90,000 annually. To start an accredited nursing program in your area, you can call you state’s Board of Nursing. The BON agency employees can give you more information about where the accredited degree programs are near you.
Advanced Practice Nursing/Specialized Careers In Nursing
There are many different types of nurses with advanced degrees. One of the most common is the Advanced Practice Nurse. Examples of APNs include Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetists. Nurse Anesthetists earn the highest salary of all APNs. Their average annual pay is $160,270. Compare that with the average pay to that of a family physician. A family physician makes an average of $176,000 a year. Not ALL APNs earn that kind of money, of course. But they still make substantially more than nurses with a Bachelors or Associate degree.
Advanced Practice Nurse Credentials
When it comes to the credentials needed to become an advanced practice nurse, specialty careers in nursing begin after one has completed 2 or 3 years of postgraduate training. These post-grad nurses must also pass any specialty related tests and licensing exam related to the nursing specialty. The job description of an advanced practice nursing career obviously will vary due to the fact that there are some many specialties. Some of these specialties include:
- gynecology
- surgery
- labor/delivery
- public health
- orthopedics
- nursery
- psychiatry
- pediatrics
- nurse practitioner
- critical care and cardiac nurse
Because there are some many different job descriptions, each on differing with each specialty, a general job description is complex. Overall, an Advanced Practice Nurse diagnoses and treats illnesses through the form of things like medication, surgery, or alternative treatment and therapy.