What Defines Our Life

The field of nursing has been one of the most stable and financially secure fields, and the need for nurses and health care staff is expected to remain high. Even in the current job market, well-trained nurses are highly sought after for a wide range of positions. The nursing professional brings plenty of opportunity for progression; the field includes Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants each with differing levels of education, training, and responsibilities.

A Nurse Practitioner or NP is a highly trained nursing professional with at least a master’s degree in nursing. NPs generally focus their study and practice in a specific area of medicine, such as pediatrics, internal medicine, or women’s health. NPs have been gaining increased credibility in the US in recent years and can perform much of the same work as physicians. In most states, NPs can write prescriptions and practice independently. It is even possible to find clinics or medical practices entirely staffed by NPs. NPs work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, private practices, research facilities, nursing schools, and health departments.

Many professionals working in the nursing field are Register Nurses or RNs, and the RN profession has been considered one of the fastest growing fields for many years. RNs perform a variety of tasks, including assess patients’ needs, record symptoms, administer medication, and collaborate with other health care professionals to provide the best patient care. RNs can be found in any area or specialization of medicine. All RNs have passed the RN licensure exam and have a vocational nursing degree, associate’s degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree in nursing.

CNAs, or Certified Nursing Assistants, are healthcare professionals who specialize in direct patient care. CNAs are trained to take patients’ vital signs, transport patients, feedings, and assisting other nursing staff. Many organizations offer CAN training programs, which can last a couple of weeks or a couple of months. A surprisingly high number of nursing professionals begin their careers as CNAs where they learn the basics of nursing, patient care guidelines, and coordinating with healthcare professionals.

Within these different areas of nursing, additional specializations or certifications are available. Certified Nurse Anesthetists can give anesthesia to patients who are preparing to undergo surgery. A Nurse Educator, such as a Diabetes Educator, works with patients and families to ensure an understanding of medical conditions and treatments. A growing field of nursing is Public Health Nursing or PHN, which deals with treating communities as a whole by identifying concerns and designing relevant programs.

Finally, if you think a career as a CNA might be for you, you’ll want to learn more about CNA certification and CNA training.

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