Nursing is one of the fastest-growing careers in the nation. As our population continues to age and our medical needs become greater and more complex, the need for skilled nurses of all levels grows. In many areas, the demand for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and advanced practice nurses actually outpaces the ability of nursing schools to supply talent.
Nursing Careers Start with the Right Degree
Nursing Career Paths
There are several different tiers of nurses, separated by level of training and experience. Certified nursing assistants, nursing aides, home health aides, and orderlies provide hands-on care and perform routine healthcare tasks under the supervision of nursing and medical staff.
At the next level of training, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) likewise provide bedside care and may help collect samples and gather information from patients and perform routine laboratory tests.
Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the nation’s largest healthcare occupation with over 2.6 million jobs – and that number continues to grow rapidly. RNs treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide support to medical professionals and family members. The specific duties of RNs will vary depending on their specialty and the setting in which they work. Some will work specifically with geriatric patients or dermatological problems, while others will focus on surgical patients.
Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses with advanced training in a specific field. All advanced practice nurses hold master’s degrees, and fall into different types of practice. Clinical nurse specialists, for example, provide expert consultations and direct patient care in their specialized field. Nurse practitioners serve as primary and specialty care providers for their patients, providing not only nursing but general healthcare. Nurse anesthetists provide pain control and anesthesia for medical procedures. Nurse midwives provide primary care to women, focusing mainly on gynecological exams and family planning, as well as the full range of pregnancy and birthing care, from pre- to post-natal care.
Nursing Career Salaries
Nursing aides, home health aides, and orderlies earned a median hourly wage of around $11.46 in 2008, for an annual salary of just under $23,000 for full-time employment. Most can expect to earn between $9.71 and 13.76 an hour. The added training of LPNs and LVNs is reflected in their pay, as they earned a median salary of just over $39,000, with most earning between $33,000 and $46,000. LPN and LVN pay varies depending on the setting, with those working for nursing care facilities earning a median salary of over $40,000, while those working for phsicians’ offices earned just over $35,000.
Registered nurses earn a median salary of $62,450, with the majority earning between $51,000 and $76,000. Advanced practice nurses salaries can vary greatly depending on the specialty and the area of practice. According to the American College of Nurse Midwives, nurse midwives earn median salaries anywhere between $79,000 and 89,000. The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) reports that clinical nurse specialists generally expect annual salaries between $65,000 to $110,000. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) reports that average nurse practitioner salaries fall between $84,000 and $92,000. Certified nurse anesthetists are the highest paid of all the nursing specialties, with the AMGA Medical Group Compensation and Financial study reporting that they earn median salaries over $150,000.
Education for Nursing Careers
Nursing careers can be started at various different levels and there is always the option to advance your education. It’s entirely possible to begin one’s career as a nursing aide and end up as an advanced practice nurse.
Certification requirements for certified nurses aides and home health aides will vary from state to state, but most require a high school diploma, a certain amount of state-approved training, and the ability to pass the licensing exam. The training often must come in the form of vocational programs or programs within hospitals and nursing centers.
LPNs and LVNs must complete more lengthy, in-depth training programs, usually about a year long, from vocational and technical schools or community or junior colleges. In order to become licensed, all LPNs and LVNs must pass the National Council Licensure Exam, the NCLEX-PN.
There are several educational paths that lead to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Some hold bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN), some hold associate’s degrees in nursing (ADN), while others complete diploma programs. Certified nurse aides and LPNs may require slightly less formal training than individuals with no nursing experience whatsoever in order to qualify as registered nurses.
Advanced practice nurses must hold a bachelor’s of science in nursing, practice as an RN, and then complete additional training in the form of master’s degrees in nursing (MSN). Depending on the training the nurse holds when starting the program, these take varying amounts of time to complete – for RNs with bachelor’s degrees, the MSN programs generally take two years. For those without bachelor’s degrees, specialty programs may be completed in three or four years, granting both a BSN and an MSN.
Nursing Career & Nursing School Information
Outlook for Nursing Careers
Nurses are among the most in-demand positions in the nation right now, and there’s little sign of that slowing down anytime soon. Certified nurse aide positions are expected to grow by about 18 percent by 2018. Jobs for LPNs and LVNs, likewise, are expected to grow by 21 percent. Nurses with specialty training in geriatric services will find their job prospects the best, but the outlook is extremely strong for all licensed nurses.
Registered nurses (including advanced practice nurses) will see their employment grow by 22 percent in the coming decade, with growth in private physicians’ offices the highest (with a whopping 48 percent growth rate!), and growth of employment within hospitals the slowest – but still at 17 percent, much faster than the national average. Advanced practice nurses in particular will be in high demand, particularly in underserved locations such as urban centers and rural areas. In these cases, advanced practice nurses will increasingly serve as lower-cost primary care providers.
Nursing careers are an incredible way to not only earn a dependable, solid living, but to help those who need it most. It’s a rewarding career in more ways than one, and a career that will offer strong employment prospects for the foreseeable future.
