The CNA, or Registered Nurse Assistant (RN-CA) is responsible for providing patients with nursing services that are supervised by a registered nurse (RN). The registered nurse is usually responsible for diagnosing illness and treating problems, but in many cases a licensed practical nurse (LVN) will also perform these tasks. Registered nurses (RN) generally work under a supervisor who is called a primary care provider (PCP). This role is often filled by a nurse practitioner (NPN), who can be very helpful in the case of a patient’s need for additional care beyond that provided by the RN.
There are currently more than four hundred thousand RNs in the United States alone, and this number is expected to increase by more than a million by 2020. The most popular nursing career options include general medicine (general medicine encompasses the treatment of any illness or disease), pediatric, geriatric, critical care, cardiology/hematology, internal medicine, surgery, radiology, pediatrics, family practice, pediatric dental care, orthopedics, audiology, neurology, otolaryngology, dermatology, podiatry, and radiology. In addition to these categories, there are many more in the health care industry which may be further subdivided into specific sub-disciplines.
The health care professionals who have completed the education requirements to become registered nurses (RN) are required to take an exam, which is administered by the National Council Licensure Examination Commission (NCLEX-PN) in order to receive their license to practice. Once licensed, registered nurses are responsible for providing health care services to their patients under the direction of a physician. They may provide direct care services to patients in one of two basic roles, either as a primary care provider or in a primary care facility, or as a clinical nurse specialist in a larger facility or hospital. or practice in a clinic.
Registered nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) must follow a set of rules and regulations. The first is that they must pass a state-administered exam for licensure. This exam is designed to test their knowledge and abilities in the field of medical care. The second is that they must successfully complete a supervised clinical rotations period, where they will be trained on the care and administration of their patient’s care under the direction of a licensed physician or other health care professional. They must complete the final two training periods in order to become certified.
When considering becoming a registered nurse, remember that all states require that registered nurses at least earn a master’s degree in Nursing, a Doctorate degree in Nursing, and then a minimum of four years of experience in the field. Some states do not require any prior training. A nursing associate is another choice. While this allows them more leeway and flexibility, this level of education is not necessarily the highest in the nursing field. Certified practical nurses (CPN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) must also earn their states’ license before they can apply to become Registered Nurses.
Before applying for a registered nurse or LPN position, it is highly recommended that you become familiar with the care profession and be prepared to give up some job security for a position that offers better compensation and flexibility. Because the salary structure for nurses is based primarily on the number of years of experience and the amount of education required, most states require a certain number of years of work experience to become a registered nurse. There are several nursing agencies that help people obtain their registered nurse license through volunteer hours in order to help pay for the licensing process and the associated costs. However, in order to be considered for volunteer work with one of these agencies, it is important to have proof of certification from an approved nursing agency in addition to having a high school diploma or GED.