Nurses play a pivotal role in the healthcare industry. They facilitate care as the first point of contact for patients while working with physicians, nurse practitioners, therapists, technicians, and other healthcare professionals. However, not all nurses have the same certification. This means that nurses may be responsible for different aspects of patient care based on their respective education and licensure. A few of the most common types of nursing licenses are a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). The similarities and differences between these types of nursing licenses are discussed below.
Types of Nursing Licenses
RN: Registered Nurse
When you think of a nurse, you are likely thinking of an RN. These nurses are staples of the nursing profession. Registered nurses are responsible for many aspects of patient care. These responsibilities can range from administering medication and treatment to coordinating plans for patient care. Since registered nurses are able to do so much in their role, they are required to complete more formal education than either an LNP or CNA. RNs must complete at least their associate’s degree in nursing. This usually takes anywhere from two to three years. Additionally, registered nurses are required to pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Due to the additional education and duties that they are responsible for, registered nurses earn a higher median annual salary of $68,450.
LPN: Licenced Practical Nurse
Licensed practical nurses are able to complete many of the same tasks as a registered nurse, though they do so under the supervision of an RN. These tasks can range from checking blood pressure and inserting catheters to discussing healthcare plans with patients and reporting back to a registered nurse or physician. Ultimately, licensed practical nurses can help to bridge gaps in patient care. Since LNPs can only practice under the supervision of a senior medical professional, they only need to complete an accredited practical nursing program. This program could be as short as one year. Similar to RNs, LNPs also must pass a national licensure exam. However, for licensed practical nurses, this is the NCLEX-PN. Licensed practical nurses earn a median annual salary of $44,090.
CNA: Certified Nursing Assistant
Finally, certified nursing assistants help to fill many of the remaining roles in healthcare. CNAs can complete their responsibilities and provide care under the supervision of either a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse. Most of the tasks that a certified nursing assistant is responsible for are related to improving the patient experience. Generally speaking, certified nursing assistants are the primary responder at the patient’s bedside. This means that they are often best situated to make observations of trends in patient behavior and well-being. Given the smaller range of tasks and increased supervision that certified nursing assistants experience, they are only required to complete an eight to 16-week course to obtain their certification. This is often a first step in the process of becoming a licensed nurse. The median annual salary for CNAs is $26,590.
Ultimately, the different types of nursing licenses all relate to something called scope of practice. The scope of practice is essentially the level of responsibility that a given health care professional is responsible for. This scope of practice becomes extended as nurses complete more education and pass additional licensure exams. For example, registered nurses have a greater scope of practice than licensed practical nurses or certified nursing assistant. The scope of practice is also closely correlated to salary. Are in you interested in pursuing travel careers as an RN, LPN, or CNA? Jobs with each of these types of nursing licenses can prove fruitful and rewarding! While the scope of practice and corresponding salary may vary by license, all nurses provide invaluable care to the patients they are responsible for.
January 29, 2022
if you want to become a Registered Nurse and really want to help patients and serve in this field then you are right place.
This article explains who is nurse, Duties of nurse activities, Salary and Job Growth.