The profession of nursing is far more diverse than you think. Nurses are more than caregivers; they are leaders, educators, advocates, and leaders, hence shaping the healthcare system in countless ways. In this blog, we will explore different types of nurses and what they do.
Different types of nurses
There are different types of nurses, from bedside to board room, helping patients and providing the best patient care. Here we will discuss different types of nurses and their roles in the healthcare system, but first we will discuss the educational requirements to become a nurse:
Educational requirements to become a nurse:
- If you want to jump into nursing as a professional career, then it is important to know the basic educational requirements:
- Get a nursing degree which is ADN or BSN.
- Passing the NCLEX-RN exam to get a nursing license so you can start working in hospitals. You can also get a compact state nursing license if you are thinking of becoming a Travel nurse.
- Other certifications: Some additional certifications related to your field. These certifications will help boost your career and expand your skills.
- Experience: If you are thinking of becoming a travel nurse then you must have at least 1 to 2 years of experience as a registered nurse. This experience helps nurses to adjust quickly to the new environment and healthcare challenges.
Registered nurse or RN:
Licensed healthcare professionals who provide direct patient care are known as registered nurses.
Work settings: They work in hospitals, clinics, homes, schools, long-term care facilities etc.
What do RNs do: Some of the roles and responsibilities of RNs are:
- Assessing patients and administering medications.
- Educate patients and their families about treatments and injuries.
- Operate medical equipment.
Licensed practical nurse or LPN
They provide basic patient care but under the supervision of doctors or registered nurses. They are also known as licensed vocational nurses LVN.
Work setting: They work in private homes, nursing homes, hospitals, etc.
What do LPNs/LVPs do: Some of the responsibilities of licensed practitioner nurses are:
- Assisting patients with daily activities.
- Monitoring patients’ vital signs.
- Keep up-to-date medical records and relay patient’s concerns to the healthcare team.
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners can diagnose diseases and manage patient care independently or collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
Work settings: They work in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
What do nurse practitioners do: Some of the responsibilities of nurse practitioners are:
- Performing physical exams, diagnosing, and treating illness of patients.
- Prescribing medications and recording medical histories.
- Order and diagnose the diagnostic tests.
Advanced practice registered nurse or APRN
Advanced practitioner nurses are a type of nurse who covers multiple areas of nursing and can take the role of certified midwives, nurse practitioners, etc.
Work settings: APRNs work in hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, etc.
What do APRNs do: Some of the roles and responsibilities of APRN nurses are:
- Assessing patients and diagnosing treatments.
- Performing physical exams, prescribing medications, and adjusting treatments.
- Improve the quality of care by conducting research.
What are the other different types of nurses?
Some of the other kinds of nurses that provide patient care are as follows:
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Nurse Midwife (CNM)
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Administrator / Nurse Manager
- Critical Care Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Oncology Nurse
- Emergency Room (ER)
Conclusion
The nursing profession is a dynamic field that goes far beyond bedside care. Nurses are an important part of a healthcare system that provides patient care, encompassing different roles. There are different types of nurses from NP to LVP to registered nurses. Their goal remains common and that is to provide effective patient care. To become a nurse, it is important to take a nursing degree (ADN or BSN) and get a license and certifications. If you are a nurse who has more than one year of experience, you can become a travel nurse. Download SkillGigs app and explore jobs that best meet your needs. Become a travel nurse with SkillGigs.
