4. What Type Of Exam Does Practical Nurses And Registered Nurses Take To Become Licensed?

How far do you lot desire to go with your nursing career? Whether y'all desire to focus on patient care or rising to a height position in a healthcare organization, many doors are open up to you. Only which doors open, and when, depends on your nursing degree and professional experience. Additionally, there are specialties, land-mandated exams, and varying job titles within each level of nursing that you should consider when applying to programs and planning your healthcare career.

What Are the Types of Nurses?

In general, nurses fall into three categories: non-degree, degree, and avant-garde caste. Non-degree nurses include certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed applied nurses (LPNs), who complete nursing pedagogy programs that don't culminate in a degree. Caste nurses include those with an undergraduate degree in the field, such as anAssociate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Advanced degree nurses are those with a graduate caste in the field, such as a Master of Scientific discipline in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practise (DNP).

What Are the Different Levels of Nursing?

This article will give y'all an in-depth understanding of the different levels of nursing and which types of degrees and test certifications are required for each, starting with entry-level nursing positions and up to master'southward and doctoral-level roles.

ane. Certified Nursing Assistant

Position description: Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) typically work in abode care and long-term intendance settings. Besides referred to as "nursing assistants" and "nursing aides," CNAs often serve as the primary point of contact between the patient'southward family members and the healthcare system. They aid with the patient's daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and ambulating. CNAs provide companionship for their patients as well every bit compassionate care. Depending on state regulations and training, they may administer medication, take vital signs, fill out patient charts using electronic medical record software, and other tasks that don't crave advanced training.

Requirements: Becoming a CNA typically requires a high school diploma or GED, too every bit completion of a state-approved CNA program.¹ These programs usually take three to 8 weeks to complete and require a specified number of training hours, classroom hours, and lab or clinical practise. Once program requirements are completed, aspiring CNAs must laissez passer a state-canonical examination to earn their CNA title and become state-certified.

CNA median almanac salary (2019): $14.25/hour, $29,640/year
Projected growth (2019–2029): Much faster than boilerplate (8% or college), with 119,500 expected job openings.²

ii. Licensed Applied Nurse

Position description: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), are responsible for providing patient care by acting every bit the primary communicator between the health care team and patient. They also may be responsible for communicating with the patient's family unit. LPNs monitor patients' health and practise some concrete intendance tasks, such as taking blood pressure, inserting catheters, starting IVs, and irresolute bandages. Whether or non the LPN needs supervision to perform these tasks varies past state.

Requirements: Becoming an LPN does non crave an acquaintance degree or bachelor's caste, simply rather, the successful completion of a Applied Nursing Program. These programs tin can be completed within one year and are designed for people who are working while attending the program. To receive your country license, which grants y'all the power to practice, y'all must laissez passer the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN).

LPN median annual salary (2019): $22.83/hr, $47,480/yr
Projected employment growth (2019–2029): Much faster than boilerplate (9% or college), with 65,700 expected task openings.³

3. Registered Nurse

Position description: Nigh people equate the word "nurse" with the role of a registered nurse (RN). RNs have a wide range of responsibilities, including administering medication, contributing to a patient'southward programme of care, and collaborating with medical doctors. In some workplaces, RNs oversee CNAs and LPNs. Once you lot reach the RN level of nursing, more than specialized positions open up, such as cardiac care nurse, case management nurse, and flight nurse.⁴

To become an RN, yous must earn either an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After successfully graduating from either type of program, you lot must then take and pass the NCLEX-RN test, not to exist confused with the NCLEX-PN for practical nurses.

RN median annual salary (2019): $35.24/hour, $73,300/year
Projected growth (2019–2029): Faster than average (7% or college) with 221,900 expected job openings.⁵

In most states, an ASN and BSN caste, along with passing the NCLEX-RN exam, will qualify you to work as an RN. Nevertheless, some states are looking to push legislation that requires RNs to accept a BSN. The State of New York did and so in 2018, requiring a bachelor's caste within the adjacent 10 years to practice as an RN.⁶ Beneath, you volition find more than information on how the two nursing degrees differ and the degrees' long-term effects on your career path.

Associate of Science in Nursing

Becoming an RN through an associate caste nursing plan is ideal for those who do non desire to attend a four-year program. In the past, these programs were typically offered through community colleges. Now, withal, some iv-year institutions are offering ASN programs, likewise known as Associate Caste in Nursing (ADN) programs. Hybrid programs, which combine online with in-person learning are also becoming increasingly popular.^vii

Available of Science in Nursing

In today's chore market place, the BSN degree leads, in general, to better salaries and more open doors.⁸ A BSN programme typically takes four years to complete and may crave full-time immersion. However, a hybrid BSN program is available for those who need to work while earning their degree.

Practise note, though, that it is becoming increasingly mandatory for RNs to complete the BSN degree program. Some states now crave RNs with ASNs to return to school for further didactics and preparation. One commuter for this trend is that several studies take demonstrated better patient outcomes when RNs take a BSN.⁹

4. Advanced Practise Registered Nurse

Position description: To get an avant-garde exercise registered nurse (APRN), you must exist an RN ready to take on more of a leadership role in patient care. While RNs oft focus on implementing a plan of care, APRNs focus on directing a plan of intendance. Becoming an APRN often requires further education, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Types of APRNs include nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.

The Academy of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers an MSN program with a Family unit Nurse Practitioner (FNP) part specialty, which leads to becoming a nurse practitioner (and therefore an APRN). NPs perform all the typical duties of an RN, also as diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medication (with doctor supervision in some states), suggest on public wellness issues, and provide more avant-garde interventions. NPs with an MSN degree work non only in hospitals and long-term intendance settings but also in private practice and community clinics.¹⁰

Requirements: If you want to study to become an APRN, yous must take an RN license and normally at least one year of feel working as an RN. After you earn your degree, you lot must laissez passer a certification exam from an accredited national organisation, such as the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board.

APRN median annual bacon (2019): $55.67/60 minutes, $115,800/year
Projected employment growth (2019–2029): Much faster than average (45% increase) with 117,700 expected job openings.¹¹

5. Master of Scientific discipline in Nursing

Position description: A Master of Scientific discipline in Nursing (MSN) is not a function but a degree—the degree you need to become a nurse practitioner (NP) or to choose another part specialty.

USAHS offers three specialties within its MSN program: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Executive. Earning your principal's degree is a chance for you to advance your teaching in your surface area of greatest involvement, whether that's providing amend patient care, educating the adjacent generation of practitioners, or running an organization.

Requirements: Most MSN programs require candidates to have good every bit an RN with a BSN for at least i twelvemonth. Other admissions requirements for MSN programs may include a groundwork check, a resume or curriculum vitae, and professional person references. Within USAHS' MSN curriculum, the number of credit and contact hours needed depends on the role specialty.

APRN median annual salary (2019): $55.67/hour, $115,800/twelvemonth
Projected employment growth (2019–2029): Much faster than boilerplate (45% increment) with 117,700 expected job openings.¹²

6. Doctor of Nursing Practise

Position description: Like the MSN, the Doc of Nursing Do (DNP) is not a part but a degree, and doctoral-level preparation can be considered as the next level of nursing above the MSN. DNP programs are for those who want to reach ane of the highest levels of nursing, forth with the PhD. DNPs take a doctoral-level knowledge of healthcare policy, nursing practice, health data systems, and organizational leadership. Attending a DNP program is best for experienced nurses who enjoy artistic trouble-solving and turning strategy into do.

Requirements: You can apply for a DNP nursing plan with either a BSN or an MSN. The BSN-entry nursing student will have a longer plan of study. Two common DNP part specialties are Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Nurse Executive. Similar to MSN programs, a DNP typically requires you to take worked at least one year every bit an RN or APRN. If you are an RN, y'all will likely need to take a BSN rather than an ASN caste. USAHS' DNP curriculum consists of 42–71 credits and 540–1035 practicum hours, depending on which degree y'all enter with and which role specialty you cull.

APRN median annual bacon (2019): $55.67/hour, $115,800/year
Projected employment growth (2019–2029): Much faster than average (45% increase) with 117,700 expected job openings.¹³

7. Nurse Managers and Executives

Position description: Nurse managers and nurse executives can assistance run clinics, or they may work for a hospital system at the C-suite level in healthcare management by helping strategize and plan treat hundreds of patients. If you aspire to the height levels of administration, you will exist less involved with direct patient care, but your decisions may have a broad affect on patients. You volition need to cultivate qualities such equally integrity and flexibility, and skills such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership.

Requirements: To get a nurse manager or executive, yous volition likely need an MSN or DNP with a role specialty in executive leadership.

How to Choose Your Level of Nursing

When considering which level of nursing is best for you, think near your brusque and long-term nursing career goals, and what surround excites you most. Do you thrive when working with patients or do you lot want to influence larger organizational decisions? Consider where you thrive best, so as not to experience nurse burnout. Regardless of which nursing level you lot strive for, remember that more teaching is available to help yous further your career.

The University of St. Augustine for Wellness Sciences (USAHS) offers Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates designed for working nurses. Our nursing degrees are offered online, with optional on-campus immersions* (currently postponed due to COVID-nineteen). Function specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator,** and Nurse Executive. The MSN has several options to accelerate your time to degree completion. Complete coursework when and where you want—and earn your advanced nursing caste while keeping your work and life in balance.
*The FNP role specialty includes two required hands-on clinical intensives as office of the curriculum.
**The Nurse Educator function specialty is non available for the DNP plan.

Registered Nursing, "CNA Certification Requirements": https://www.registerednursing.org/certified-nursing-assistant/certification/ [↩]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , "Nursing Assistants and Orderlies," last modified Sept. 1, 2020: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-administration.htm [↩]
U.Southward. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , "Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses," last modified Sept. 1, 2020: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm [↩]
Johnson & Johnson, "Nursing Specialties": https://nursing.jnj.com/specialty [↩]
U.Southward. Agency of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , "Registered Nurses," final modified Sept. ane, 2020: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm [↩]
Senate Bill 6728, State of New York. Cong. (2017–2018) Regular Session (Sen. John J. Flanagan): https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2017/s6768 [↩]
Theresa Granger (reviewer), "RN Diploma vs. ADN vs. BSN Caste: What's the Difference?" Nurse Periodical , Dec. 18, 2020: https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/rn-and-bsn-degree-differences [↩]
Nurse Journal , "Top nine Advantages of a BSN Degree," Dec. 3, 2020: https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/top-advantages-of-a-bsn-degree/ [↩]
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, "Fact Sheet: The Bear on of Education on Nursing Practice," terminal updated April 2019: https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Factsheets/Pedagogy-Touch-Fact-Sail.pdf [↩]
American Nurses Association, "Advanced Practise Registered Nurse (APRN)": https://www.nursingworld.org/exercise-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn [↩]
U.South. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , "Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners," last updated Apr 2020: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm [↩]
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook , "Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners," concluding updated April 2020: https://world wide web.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm [↩]
Ibid. [↩]