Introduction
Nursing has become an integral part of today’s modern healthcare system. However, when it comes to the healthcare nursing profession, you have to choose between several available career options. Each choice has unique responsibilities, roles, and, most importantly, the educational requirements.
Today, we have three main nursing categories: licensed nurses or LNs, registered nurses or RNs, and advanced practice registered nurses or APRNs. That is why many healthcare professionals often face the dilemma of deciding which profession suits a long-term career path.
Today, in the blog below, we will discuss these three nursing career paths in detail. This read will help you choose an easy and quick career path.
RNs or Registered Nurses
Registered nurses are often known as RNs and are vital to today’s modern-era healthcare sector. In the United States, they are available as a massive group with associations with various healthcare staffing providers. Also, they mostly have demanding and diverse roles each working day. To work as an RN, you must complete a specific nursing program. This program can be a four-year (BSN) bachelor’s degree or a two-year (ADN) associate degree in nursing. Next, after completing their education, these nurses must pass the (NCLEX-RN) or National Council Licensure Examination of Registered Nurses to earn their license.
However, upon successful education and license, these nurses can enjoy a vast practicing scope. This can include patient assessment, developing and implementing patient care plans, administering medications, and providing emotional support to the patients or their families. They are flexible to work in any work setting. It can be a clinic, a healthcare facility, a school, or even a hospital. Moreover, they also specialize in other fields, such as cardiology, pediatrics, and oncology.
Not to mention that pursuing an RN career offers many attractive benefits. This includes handsome salary packages, job security, and career advancement opportunities. Registered nurses are also considered the primary healthcare service providers to the patients. Their core duties include looking after patients and maintaining their care satisfaction level. All these factors make them a crucial part of today’s healthcare system.
LPNs or Licensed Practical Nurses
LPNs, or licensed practical nurses, are other crucial workers in today’s healthcare system. Unlike RNs, these nurses must go through a different educational path to become successful licensed nurses. They usually have to complete a one-year nursing program. Their program comprises both clinical experiences as well as classroom instructions. Once they complete their one-year education program, they must also pass the same (NCLEX-PN) or National Council Licensure Examination of Practical Nurses to earn their license.
Even though their practice scope is limited compared with an RN, they still play a crucial part in our healthcare system. They are mainly responsible for providing primary nursing care. This includes medication administration, vital signs checking, and assistance with daily living. Next, they have to work directly under the supervision of a physician or an RN. You will find them most commonly in clinics, long-term care facilities, or rehabilitation centers.
One key benefit you can enjoy being a licensed practical nurse is completing a short educational program compared to a registered nurse. As a result, you can enter their program and workforce more easily and quickly. However, as a downside, LPNs have lower salary packages than RNs. Next, their career advancement opportunities could be more extensive. But if you wish to advance in an RN career, you can achieve that by receiving further education.
APRNs or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
APRNs or advanced practice registered nurses, are the highest or most advanced nursing level. As an APRN nurse, you must complete clinical training and an advanced educational program. Thus, it will allow you to take special and advanced healthcare sector roles. Also, there are different types of APRNs nowadays. These include (CNSs) or Clinical Nurse Specialists, NPs or Nurse Practitioners, (CNMs) or Certified Nurse Midwives, and (CRNAs) or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics.
APRNs can also diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medication, and provide various healthcare services independently. They could perform all these duties without needing a physician supervisor. They carry a larger scope of practice than LPNs and RNs, often working in different specialty areas like mental health, family practices, women’s health, etc.
To be a successful APRN, you must complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). Next, they must become a Registered Nurse and pursue a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). All this depends on the specific APRN role they want to adopt. After completing their education, APRNs must also pass the national certification exam for their chosen specialty area.
Like RNs and LPNs, APRNs also enjoy some incredible employment benefits. These benefits include increased autonomy, earning capacity, and the freedom to work in their specialized field. These nurses always remain higher in demand, especially in the underserved areas. There, they can fill the gap caused by the primary care physician shortage by providing primary care services.
Disadvantages of APRNS, LPNs, and RNs
Below are a few disadvantages of all these three professions that you must consider before choosing a nursing career path:
APRNs
- The supervision required is high
- Limited practice scope
- Less advancement in career
- Low earnings
RNs
- Higher ratio of nurses compared to patients
- Educational cost and time
- Stress and burnout risks
- Variable working shifts
APRNs
- Continuous requirements for learning and certifications
- Balancing collaboration and autonomy
- Complex regulations by the state
- Massive educational debt
Conclusion
Choosing an RN, LPN, or APRN career depends on your preferences and career goals. As an RN, you can get career growth, job security, and a broad professional scope. However, as an LPN, you can quickly enter the healthcare services system with limited earnings and responsibilities. Lastly, with APRN, you can get boasted autonomy, the pinnacle, and specialization, but it requires considerable education.
Remember to align your decisions with your career goals, work environment preference, and educational commitment. Lastly, the best choice will depend on what you like, are good at, and want in your career life. All of which focuses on helping the patients in the best way possible.