The Many Faces of a Nurse

Patients require more than just a band-aid when they need health care whether it be in a nursing facility, hospital, or in-home. Not only does the physical body suffer and need care, mental stability is just as important.

When individuals choose to go into this field they must to have a compassion for people. They have to know that they will be coming into contact with multiple individuals daily with various problems. Oftentimes they are not called on to just give a shot or change a bandage, to take a blood pressure or to hand out a pill.

A nurse's job carries with it many faces and requires patience, unselfishness, dedication and a lot of love. Before the training ever takes place in a class it has already begun the day one decides to become a nurse. Highlighted below are the different degrees one can earn as of a nurse:

Certificate Program

This is a 2-4 weeks certificate program that CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistant) workers are required to earn before employment. These individuals are trained by RNs through a nursing home facility or a local Red Cross chapter. Their job duties include: bathing patients, administering injections, monitoring temperatures, and whatever other tasks the supervising nurse gives them to do.

LPN Licensed Program

Must complete a two-year practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN licensing computer-based exam to become a LPN. This nurse works under a doctor or registered nurse. Duties include: drawing blood, taking temperatures and vital signs, administering medication, patient's hygiene care, home care or performing routine tests. Emotional support is another very important role that the LPN is expected to provided for the patient.

(AND) - Associate Nursing Degree

This degree is a two-year degree and it is usually earned from a community or vocational school. It is another way to become a RN. This degree is less expensive to the student and it allows them to begin work in the field earlier.

(BSN) - Bachelor of Science Nursing Degree

This is a four-year degree from a university or a college that prepares the individual to become a RN. The student is required to participate in classroom learning combined with clinical, where they work one-on-one with patients. This degree must be acquired from an accredited school and it allows you to move into the supervisory position. Job duties include: monitoring and tracking vital signs, performing procedures such as IV placement, phlebotomy, and administering medications, developing the day-to-day nursing care plans both in the hospital and for care after discharge, to be administered by families and visiting nurses.

(MSN) - Masters of Science Nursing Degree

Before this degree can be obtained, one must first have a BSN. This degree allows you to specialize in a specific area of study as it concerns nursing. Jobs are dependent on the area of study that is chosen. Some areas of study include: Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Administrator /Manager, Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Consultant and Nurse Educator.

Doctorate

This is the highest degree that a nurse can earn, but must have a bachelor and masters before completing this program. This degree prepares individuals to work in health administration, clinical research, and advanced clinical research. It takes usually takes four to six years to complete.