I am trying to get information from someone who is in the healthcare industry, because what I’m reading from websites doesn’t really answer my questions. There is a local school where you can get a Nursing degree and RN or PNC. Is PNC the same as LPN? And what is the likelihood of jop openings and salary for LPN as opposed to RN’s? Thank you.
Hi,
Excellent question and I would agree with the other respondents and go only to an accredited college or university.
CNA/PCA are certified nursing assistants or patient care assistants and are the ones that help with doing the physical care of the patient like bathing, toileting, feeding, and basic vital signs or care activities. The training usually takes from 10 weeks to 6 months depending upon the state requirements where you live. This is usually the lowest paid position and hardest physical work because you do the pulling and moving of patients getting them up and down. Nursing homes could not survive without them though and a good CNA is the greatest asset an RN can have. CNA’s make better than minimum wage but to me do not make anywhere near equal to the type of hard work they do.
LPNs/LVN are licensed practical nurses and their degree normally takes 18 months to 2 years. They are most often used in doctor’s offices, nursing homes, and hospitals under the direction or supervision of an RN. They work at the patients bedside more often than the bachelor level RN’s and have been taught more about the skill level of nursing care than the rational with critical thinking roles.The LPN has to take an exam to be licensed in his/her state.
RN’s are registered nurses.ADNs. These are associate degree nurses that take 2-3 years of college and are often taught the more advanced skills of being a nurse with the rational. RN’s with just the associates degree can practice almost anywhere but are rarely in management positions and once you get into nursing at the bedside most RNs will return and try to get a bachelors degree at some point. The RN has to take an exam given by each state to be registered as a nurse and be allowed to practice as an RN.
RNs with a bachelors degree have spent 4 years at college and take the same licensing exam as the associates degree RN. BSN’s. The bachelors prepared nurse has been taught the skills or nursing along with critical thinking, supervisory and management skills, and educational aspects. This level of nurse is often considered the "professional" nurse and do make more than the associates degree nurse. Their preparation helps if nurses want to go into teaching, management, or a specialty area. Many hospitals now require a bachelors prepared RN as a minimum entry nurse.
CNP/LNP: This is the certified/licensed nurse practitioner and is comparable to a physicians assistant. This nurse position is at least the 4 year bachelors and 2-3 years into a masters level program that is specific for becoming a nurse practitioner. This nurse has the greatest amount of autonomy and very often has his/her own patients, clinic or office. The NP see’s patients under the direction of a physician and writes prescriptions and manages patient care just like a doctor. In small rural areas the nurse practitioner may be the only health care available and has a doctor available by phone in a nearby town. The salary range for this level nurse is very good when compared to the other positions. The CNP has an exam she/he must take to become licensed as a nurse practitioner even if they already have their RN.
There are also nurses who become nurse anesthetists, CRNA’s, and have a bachelors and masters specializing in anesthesiology. These nurses help sleep patients during surgery and their income is the highest and their exams are exceedingly difficult.
There are also nurses who specialize in delivering babies called midwives. Nurses who become certified in critical care for only intensive care and critical care, and nurses who become certified in infection control and prevention. There are nurse educators and health department nurses, nurses who work in pharmaceutical businesses and for insurance companies.
There are many more positions out there. I hope this helped and good luck.
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