Understand the Levels of Nursing Before Planning Your Career

Are you feeling stuck in your current career with no clear path toward advancement and new opportunities? You might be interested to know that healthcare is a field in which there are different educational paths and levels of nursing.

Concordia University Irvine’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed specifically for individuals who are interested in changing careers to nursing. With our ABSN program, you don’t have to go back to school for another four years to earn a nursing degree. In fact, it’s possible to graduate in as few as 15 months.

You could soon be on your way to gaining the clinical experience necessary to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and become a registered nurse. Regardless of the nurse level at which you begin your career, the nursing field offers many opportunities for career advancement.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A certified nursing assistant is an entry-level position. CNAs are not actually nurses but are assistants to nurses and provide limited patient care. Although CNAs are at the bottom of the nursing levels in terms of scope of practice, their work is vital for efficient healthcare operations.

Job Responsibilities at the CNA Level of Nursing

CNAs assist nurses with patient care tasks that nurses are often too busy to perform. They help patients with the activities of daily living (ADLs), including:

• Bathing
• Grooming
• Toileting
• Eating
• Repositioning

Additionally, CNAs stock medical supplies, help transport patients, and measure and record vital signs, such as blood pressure. They can also note patients’ concerns and pass them along to the nursing team.

Education and Licensure Requirements

The requirements necessary to become a CNA depend on the state. It’s common for CNAs to complete a state-approved education program, which culminates in a certification exam. This education program does not typically confer a degree, but it usually includes both coursework and supervised experience. On-the-job training programs are also common for CNAs.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

Licensed vocational nurses are sometimes called licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in some states outside of California. LVNs and LPNs are the same; the only difference is the name. On the scale of nurse levels, LVNs are a step above CNAs, as LVNs are nurses rather than assistants.

Job Responsibilities for the LVN Level

Like CNAs, LVNs can provide basic patient care, including assisting patients with ADLs. They can measure and record vital signs, document patient care tasks, and pass along patients’ concerns or questions to the RNs.

Some job responsibilities of LVNs vary by state. In some states, they are allowed to administer medications and start IV lines if they have received the training necessary to handle those patient care tasks.

Education and Licensure Requirements

Similar to CNAs, LVNs must complete a state-approved nursing education program that confers a diploma rather than a degree. Most of these training programs last about one year. Then, aspiring LVNs must take the licensing exam, the NCLEX-PN.

LVNs may also earn various professional certifications to enhance their job qualifications, such as certifications in wound care, IV therapy, and gerontology. Although basic life support (BLS) or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is not strictly required, some employers may require or prefer it.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Of all the different levels of nursing, RNs are the first type of nurse to be required to obtain a nursing degree rather than a diploma. Since they have more substantial education and training requirements, RNs also have a greater scope of responsibilities and authority to practice than LVNs and CNAs.

Although LVNs and CNAs may sometimes specialize, such as in elder care, RNs have access to a broad spectrum of nursing specialties, ranging from oncology to orthopedics to women’s health and beyond. RNs can also work in various settings, including schools, emergency medical evacuation flights, and private corporations.

Discover the 5 steps to become an RN.

Job Responsibilities for the Registered Nurse Level

Due to their broader scope of responsibilities, RNs have a more significant impact on patient care than CNAs and LVNs. In fact, they are often responsible for overseeing CNAs and LVNs. Their specific tasks depend on the healthcare setting and nursing specialty.

In general, providers at this level of nursing may:

• Conduct head-to-toe assessments and document patients’ medical histories.
• Take and record vital signs and document symptom information.
• Develop and contribute to care plans.
• Administer medications and other treatments.
• Start and maintain IV lines and operate medical equipment.
• Deliver patient and family caregiver education.
• Perform wound care.

Education and Licensure Requirements

Aspiring RNs need a nursing degree. It’s possible to become an RN with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN); however, employers tend to prefer RNs who have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In addition, a BSN can pave the way toward career advancement later on.

If you have no prior college education, then you will need to attend a traditional four-year BSN program. If you meet the minimum college credit requirements, you may be eligible to apply to Concordia’s ABSN program, which allows you to graduate in as few as 15 months after completing any necessary prerequisites.

In addition to a nursing degree, RNs must pass the NCLEX-RN. This is a rigorous national licensure exam, and passing it allows RNs to obtain a state-issued nursing license.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

RNs with a BSN may decide to return to school after gaining clinical experience, allowing them to pursue career advancement as advanced practice registered nurses. APRNs practice with greater autonomy and scope of responsibility than RNs and are leaders in the nursing field.

Job Responsibilities

The job responsibilities of an APRN depend significantly on the type of APRN they are and their subspecialty area. There are four main types of APRNs:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): A CNS helps improve and develop patient care delivery, policies, and management. They also provide a wide range of patient care and can serve as consultants.
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): CRNAs provide anesthesia to patients undergoing surgery.
• Nurse practitioner (NP): NPs provide a broad range of patient care with a wider scope of practice and greater autonomy than RNs. While specifics vary by state, this can include diagnosing patients and prescribing medications.
• Certified nurse midwife (CNM): CNMs provide prenatal, postpartum, and newborn care to mothers and their babies.

There are opportunities to subspecialize within those four types. For example, a CRNA may specialize in pediatric anesthesia, and an NP may specialize in adult gerontology.

Any type of APRN can perform all the job responsibilities of an RN, but they focus on their specific area. For instance, a CRNA works with patients before, during, and after medical procedures that require anesthesia. Along with their usual responsibilities, APRNs can provide nursing leadership, effect positive change at an organizational level, and conduct nursing research.

Education and Licensure Requirements

All aspiring APRNs must first work as RNs to gain clinical experience. After gaining clinical experience, if you have a BSN, you can head back to school to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Then, you must pass the board certification exam for your nursing specialty. Upon passing the exam, you can apply for a state-issued APRN license.

Learn about the differences between a nurse practitioner vs. RN.

Non-Clinical Nurse Levels

An APRN is the top level of clinical nursing that involves direct patient care. There are other nurse levels to consider, however, such as administrative and education-focused roles. If you decide to pursue career advancement that takes you away from the bedside, you might consider becoming a nurse educator who trains aspiring RNs in nursing schools and at clinical sites.

Alternatively, you might consider becoming a nurse manager. Nurse managers are responsible for managing nursing staff, handling scheduling, and overseeing the operations of a nursing unit.

If you’d rather pursue a role outside of healthcare settings entirely, consider becoming a legal nurse consultant. These professionals advise attorneys on cases that involve health-related issues, such as domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

Build a Foundation for Career Growth at Concordia University Irvine

No matter your academic background, Concordia’s Accelerated BSN program allows you to fast-track a career in nursing that offers plenty of opportunities for advancement. We focus on graduating compassionate, competent, and caring nurses who understand how to apply evidence-based nursing concepts to produce optimal outcomes for patients. Our diverse student body benefits from our rigorous curriculum infused with Christian values.

If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 65 non-nursing college credits, you may be eligible to apply for our ABSN program. Contact our specialized admissions counselors today to learn more.