What are the differences of Nursing positions??

Ok, so it goes like this. I am about to finish up my AAS in Veterinary Technology in May. I love everything about going on to pursue my career, but i dont feel it will be very rewarding money wise. So i have been really thinking about going into the nursing program at my college. Its a two year program and i will be elligble take an exam to be an RN. The thing is, there are many opprotunites it says i can do shuch as..RN, CNA, LPN and so on..you get the point. I just dont know the differences between all these options. I dont want to just jump into to somthing i have no idea about, can you please help me?

i must say i got a chuckle outta that one EL.Crapo...lol

To correct the previous responder, a CNA is very much a part of the nursing spectrum. In many states they are licensed, and they perform many tasks which are usually considered by many to be nursing functions. They usually are most involved with the activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding and going to the bathroom, as well as assisting with other procedures. CNAs are crucial in a home health setting and are frequently used to take care of homebound and bedridden patients.

LVNs/LPNs are licensed nurses who are involved with the practical aspects of the nursing care. This includes, procedures, dressing changes, and in some facilities medications. There are some procedures which LPNs are not able to perform. LPNs are in many areas finding it harder to find positions outside skilled nursing facilities (nursing homes) this is generally because the CNAs and RNs perform the functions and there is often not a need for the middle level.

RNs are registered nurses. They are the patient care managers and patient advocates. Their job, in addition to hands on tasks is evaluating the patient condition, planing and implementing care, and reassessing the effects of nursing care provided. In a hospital setting, while physicians ,ay see patients for 5-10 minutes a day, the RN is responsible for the patient's health care the other 23 hours and 50 minutes per day. While physicians write prescriptions, it is now considered part of the RN role to evaluate and clarify or refuse and inappropriate order. For this reason RN programs are quitre intense and usually much more stressful than you would have experienced in a vet tech program.

Since you already have your AAS, the CNA at 4-6 weeks and the LPN at 10 months of education while expedient might not provide the challenge you seek. An RN program would take at least 2 years, more if you need some prerequisites, and give you a challenge. An RN will usually make significantly more than an LPN or a Vet Tech.

I talk to nurses all day and must say they're psychotic. Honest.

CNA is not a nurse. Not even close. You bathe and clean the patient and make crappy money. It's very hard work. It's pretty much all the icky stuff the RNs don't want to do. An LPN is kind of like an RN, they just don't have quite the responsibility (nor pay, but they still make a desent wage!). Becoming an LPN is good for someone like you who already has their AAS (well, almost!) and doesn't have the next 2 years to devote to clinicals. The lpn program (at least the ones I am familiar with) usually are only 10 months of clinicals 2x a week. It's much better for someone who has to work or maybe just doesn't have the time/money/grade to become an RN. RNs are the head hoochie mamas. The run the show pretty much. RNs are responsible for just about everything that happens to their patient and mostly the bad stuff (they get blamed a lot) but is an excellent job for someone who likes to take charge and can think well on their feet. RN school is VERY difficult and should not be taken lightly. Try LPN, if you do well at that you can always go back for your RN, I know many many many RNs that have done that. Good luck!

As you already read above, CNA isn't a nurse. LPN's and RN's are licensed nurses. RN is above an LPN and are usually paid more than LPN's although their duties are often similar. In the state of North Carolina, there are only a handful of duties that RN's can do that LPN's cannot do. Nursing definately offers a lot of different job oppertunities for RN's and a lot of flexibility in schedules.