The path toward becoming a qualified nurse is as demanding as it is exciting, giving you a sense of fulfillment and the opportunity to help those in need. The nursing profession is constantly increasing in importance, especially with the majority of humanity beginning to take better care of their health.
There are different levels of nursing degrees, each with distinct specialties and roles, so plenty of research needs to be conducted to decide wholeheartedly. Although it may seem complicated at first, the division of levels is relatively easy to understand.
We’ve created a short guide to simplify things and help clear the cloud of confusion over your head. We will analyze the primary stages of nursing and give you tips and tricks for choosing your future career path.
What Are the Levels of Nursing?
There are five levels of nursing: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Each level has different requirements, educational qualifications, and salary rates.
Based on your budget, interests, and overall career objectives, you can identify your suitable nursing level and begin working towards your aspirations. Below, we’ve listed, analyzed, and explained the different types of nurses in order.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Position description: Although a CNA is not an actual nurse, they’re the main line of communication between the patients and the nurses. CNAs typically take care of the patients’ hygiene, feeding, and mobility needs. With the help of CNAs, patients can bathe, eat, transfer from beds to wheelchairs, and perform other necessary daily activities.
Requirements: To become a CNA, the first thing you need is a high school diploma. Next, you’ll have to undergo a state-approved education program that lasts up to 8 weeks, with specific numbers of hours in the classroom or clinical practice. Last but not least, you’ll need to pass a CNA exam that tests all that you’ve learned and gives you the opportunity to start your life as a nurse.
Salary: The average yearly salary for a CNA is $42,121.
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Position description: LPNs provide patient care by administering medicine and alerting the healthcare providers of any status change. They also do physical care tasks, such as taking blood pressure, inserting catheters, changing bandages, and starting IVs. In some states, these tasks are usually done under monitoring by a supervisor.
Requirements: To reach the level of a licensed practical nurse, one must successfully go through the Practical Nursing Program, a vocational training that lasts around 12 months. Future nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) to fully receive the state license.
Salary: The average annual salary of an LPN is $56,763.
Registered nurse (RN)
Position description: When people think of a regular nurse, it’s usually a registered nurse that comes to mind. They have plenty of responsibilities when it comes to patient care: they record the patient’s medical history, monitor symptoms and medical equipment, serve the medicine, and establish and contribute to the patient’s medical plan.
Registered nurses also monitor practical nurses and nursing assistants. Additionally, you have more specialized positions available as an RN, such as pediatric nurse, emergency nurse, or flight nurse.
Requirements: Becoming a registered nurse requires having an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After acquiring either one of the degrees, you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, which is a step up from the earlier NCLEX-PN.
Salary: The yearly salary of a registered nurse is $87,775.
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Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)
Position description: While a registered nurse’s role in a patient’s plan is simply implementing it, an advanced practice registered nurse focuses on directing the care plan. There are generally four types of APRNs: nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, and clinical specialists.
After achieving the level of APRN, you can also get into other professions. One could be a nurse educator, where you instruct and train a whole new generation of nurses. Moreover, you could become a director of nursing, a leadership position that requires you to oversee staff operations, quality control, and maintain relationships between families and patients.
Requirements: Of course, becoming an advanced registered nurse demands more qualifications. First off, you’ll need an RN license and at least one year of working as an RN. Additionally, you’ll need a Master of Sciences in Nursing (MSN), meaning an additional 18-24 months of graduate education. Depending on which specialty you pursue, there’ll be other requirements and certifications to fully become a licensed advanced RN.
Salary: The annual salary of an advanced practice registered nurse is $87,775.
Doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
Position description: DNP is technically not a role but a degree, and these nurses have the expertise to prepare academically future generations of nurses. Moreover, they are responsible for contributing to current research into the best practices of quality patient care while simultaneously keeping the profession of nursing up to the latest standards.
Requirements: The DNP degree is achievable by completing a bachelor’s degree and an additional 4-6 years of doctoral research at an accredited university. You’ll also have to work as an RN or APRN for 12 months, and synchronously present original research that offers something new and practical to the field of nursing.
Salary: A doctor of nursing practice makes an average of $126,480 a year.
How to Choose Your Path
Just as in any career in the medical world, the field of nursing is extensive and demanding, so the most important thing is to decide which specialty or path you want to follow. Below, you’ll find some tips that’ll make it easier to recognize your chances and abilities.
Where are you at?
First off, you’ll have to consider where you’re at on the path towards being a nurse: if you’ve already got an associate degree, you could transfer some credits, and, voila, you’re already on the way to becoming an RN. On the other hand, if you have yet to finish high school, your journey is only beginning.
What are your goals?
Of course, your objectives should be the primary motivator to achieving “nursehood”. Do you want to help people heal and feel great, or is it your deep desire to lead the staff and commit to a better future for nurses? There’s a giant leap in commitment and responsibilities from being a certified nursing assistant and a doctor of nursing practice, so you must decide sooner rather than later.
How much are you able to invest financially?
All levels of nurses require some quantity of investment. In the nursing world, the higher the degree, the more you’ll be financially spending. However, the good thing about nursing schools is that they allow you to work while pursuing higher education.
Conclusion
We’ve gone through the structure and division of nursing levels and some of the things to keep in mind while in the odyssey of the medical world. Everyone knows the hardships nurses and doctors go through to get their degrees and specializations, however, we also recognize the satisfaction they get through healing and saving people’s lives.
It’s a profession for the brave and good-hearted ones, and no matter which level you put your sights on, you’re helping make the world a healthier place, one patient at a time.
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