Did you know that having insights on the primary levels of nursing degrees can significantly help you align and grow your nursing career regardless of your current professional status (practising nurse, nursing student, or just thinking of starting your professional journey)?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) projects that there will be a demand for at least 275,000 additional nurses in America from 2020 to 2030. In addition, the demand for healthcare services is increasing based on different factors, such as the growing baby boomer generation, who come along with the increased need for health services.
To anyone aspiring to pursue a nursing or healthcare-related career, such information comes with myriad benefits.
However, it would be best to design your career path first by understanding the different nursing levels to reap the benefits.
Primary Levels of Nursing Degrees (Bottom-Up Approach)
In a nutshell,
- Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRNs)
- Non-Clinical Advanced Nursing Specialties
Get Help With Your Nursing Assignments Now.
Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistants (CANs) or nursing aides are professionals who have been certified to assist in implementing simple nursing jobs such as dispensing medication. To qualify as one, you need to pursue a diploma (4–12-week program), a CNA certification exam, and earn a state license.
Careerwise, CNA gives you an opportunity to experiment with nursing practice and evaluate whether you would like to pursue a long-term career in nursing. In fact, it’s the primary point of contact between the healthcare facility and the patient’s family members.
Estimated CNA annual Salary (2020): $14.56 per hour per BLS ($30,290 annually)
Projected career growth and opportunities (YEAR): the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics acknowledges that CNAs have a much faster career growth, averaging 8% or even higher, with at least 119,500 expected career practice openings.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs (also identified as LVNs (Licensed Vocational Nurses)) work on a collection of patient support tasks. In most instances, they are the primary communicators between the patient and the multidisciplinary healthcare team. LPNs monitor patients’ health and deliver an array of care-related services, such as recording patient’s blood pressure, changing bandages, and starting IVs.
To qualify as an LPN, you must complete a practical nursing program successfully, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), and be licensed by the specific state of practice.
Estimated LPN annual Salary (YEAR): $23.11 per hour per BLS ($48,070 annually)
Projected career growth and opportunities (YEAR): According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LPN’s projected growth is at 9%, with at least 65,700 expected openings for career practice.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses have a broader range of responsibilities that comprise supporting the patient plan of care, collaborating with other professionals to support quality health care services, and administering medication. RNs can also be tasked with the responsibility of overseeing LPNs and CNAs.
To qualify as a Registered Nurse (RN), you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate of Science Nursing degree. You are also expected to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam after successfully graduating from the aforementioned degree programs.
Becoming an RN comes with the opportunity for additional specialized positions such as case management nurse and pediatric nurse, among others.
You should know that qualifying as a Registered Nurse through an Associate Degree in Nursing program is suitable for professionals who don’t want the 4-year program. BSN programs take four years to complete.
Estimated RN annual Salary (YEAR): $37.31 per hour per BLS ($77,600 annually)
Projected career growth and opportunities (YEAR): the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates RN career growth and opportunities to be 7% (higher than average) with 221,900 expected career RN practice positions.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) assume more of a leadership role in patient care. Unlike RNs who focus on implementing patient care plans, APRNs direct the care plans.
For you to qualify as an APRN, you require additional advanced education such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Master of Science in Nursing Nurse Practitioner (MSN-NP).
Depending on the state of practice, you might also be required to pass additional certification exams in your area of expertise.
Some types of APRNs comprise:
- Nurse anesthetists
- Nurse midwives
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Nurse practitioners
Estimated APRN annual Salary (YEAR):
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): (est. $106,407 per year)
- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL): (est. $104,107 per year)
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): (est. $112,830 per year)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): (est. $195,610)
Projected career growth and opportunities (YEAR): the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster employment growth of the APRN profession (45% increase) with at least 117,700 expected job openings
Non-Clinical Advanced Nursing Specialties
Nursing career comes with provisions for career advancement away from the conventional clinical/bedside settings.
As an aspiring or practicing nurse, you can shift away from direct practice into nursing management, leadership, policy-making, and education, depending on your advanced education.
Here are some of the annual salary estimates for Non-Clinical Advanced Nursing Specialties:
- Nursing Educator (est. $77,440 per year)
- Nursing Informatics (est. $79,720 per year)
- Nurse Administrator (est. $101,340 per year)
- Research Nurse (est. $99,372 per year)
Please Note;
Studying for the primary levels of nursing degrees comes with detailed and comprehensive course work, including assignments such as essays, discussions, and practicals.
For essays, discussions, reports, and all the other types of assignments, our team of highly specialized writers can assist you in completing them on time. All you have to do is place an order.
Conclusion
In this post, we have covered all the primary levels of nursing degrees, starting from the lowest to the highest. At Prime Nursing Papers, we believe the information will help you align your nursing career path.
Related Resources
Top 15 Highest Paying Nursing Careers in the United States (+ best-paying states)
Top 30 Best Recruitment Firms in America (What Do They Offer?)
Hardest Classes in Nursing School (+ Practical Class Survival Strategies)