Benefits of being a Registered Nurse?

Nurses are the backbone of our medical system. They provide personal care, support, and accurate information to patients on a daily basis.

Medical facilities rely on a variety of especially skilled nursing staff to keep their operations running smoothly. Registered nurses are an important component of any medical team. What are the benefits of choosing a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) over other designations? Are there unique advantages to pursuing RN certification?

Different kinds of Nursing Credentials Available

Nursing is not a one-size-fits-all career. There are different credentials and titles that you can choose. Each nursing positions has its own set of licensing, education, and experience requirements. They also come with a different set of duties and expectations.

• CNAs (Certified Nursing Assistants) are not actually nurses. They provide direct physical care to patients under the direction of a head nurse. This could mean administering pre-measured medications according to a schedule, helping patients complete prescribed therapies, or running group activities in a group care facility. CNAs must complete their state’s licensing requirements, which includes a written test.
• LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses) are sometimes called Licensed Vocational Nurses. They work under the direction of head nurses and physicians. They provide a higher level of direct care than CNAs. Wound care, inserting catheters and feeding tubes, and explaining patient instructions are vital parts of the service LPNs provide. They are also responsible for tracking patient conditions and reporting any changes to the nurse or doctor in charge. LPNs must successfully complete the NCLEX.
• RNs facilitate patient care by carrying out treatment as prescribed by a doctor. They will often meet with patients before the doctor arrives to record patient history, symptoms, and vital signs. They may also complete in-office testing procedures or order outside tests and assessments to help doctors form a diagnosis. Patient education is also a large part of an RN’s job. RNs can also later obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing if desired. They also need to successfully complete the NCLEX.

LPNs and RNs can customize their careers with certifications. Nurses can use their continuing education credits to gain specialized knowledge in things like geriatric care, public administration, or the treatment and diagnosis of specific diseases and conditions. Additional training allows these nurses to shape their professional lives around their personal ambitions and interests. This can lead to additional designations and titles like Clinical Nurse Leader, Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner, or Legal Nurse Consultant.

Advantages of Choosing RN Over LPN

Gaining your RN designation takes a greater investment of time and resources than the LPN credential. Both can lead to a long-lasting and fulfilling future in the medical field. There are, however, distinct advantages to committing to an RN degree program. 

• A career as an RN gives you almost unlimited options. The associate degree needed to qualify for RN positions gives nurses a wide and solid foundation on which to build. You could choose to work directly with patients, support good health policies behind the scenes, concentrate on one type of medical practice, or choose to offer your services alongside a general practitioner. Work in the fast-paced field of emergency medicine or share your skills through teaching. LPNs are often limited to long-term care or rehabilitation facilities.
• RNs are more versatile. The skills and knowledge an RN holds can be used in every medical setting imaginable. It takes very little additional education to qualify for new positions. 

The effort it takes to earn a nursing degree is well worth it. Few other career paths offer the flexibility, respect, and high level of personal satisfaction that RNs receive.

Are you interested in earning a degree and becoming an RN? If you want to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, ECPI University offers this exciting program. For more information, connect with a helpful admissions counselor today.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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