Whether you’re considering a rewarding career as a nurse or you’ve already embarked on the path of nursing, moving up is not possible, it’s probable. Depending upon the level of nursing that you start in, you have a variety of options when it comes to continuing your education. Starting at a lower level of nursing is beneficial for a several reasons.
One, it helps you to get your feet wet and gain some experience. Two, it enables you to try it out to see if this is right for you. Three, it allows you to work and pay the bills while continuing your education. If you’re interested in starting at the bottom and working your way up, these are the levels of nursing you should look into.
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1. Home Health Aide
Home health aides are always in demand and it takes just weeks to become one. When you work as a home health aide, you work in the “home,” taking care of elderly or disabled patients. Care could include assisting patients with personal care, bathroom assistance, mobility, transporting to and from doctor’s appointments, shopping, housekeeping, and companionship. Training is available through vocational training or on-the-job training.
2. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Training to become a CNA only takes 6 weeks. Training is performed at a vocational center and some employers will even pay for your training. In this field, you’ll help patients with personal care, mobility, feeding, taking vitals, and more. Generally, CNA’s work in nursing homes, hospitals, and patients’ homes treating the elderly or disabled.
3. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Training to become a LPN is a bit more extensive than a CNA or a home health aide. The pay is higher and there are more responsibilities such as dispensing medications. LPN’s can complete training within just one year full-time or within two years part-time. LPN’s usually work in nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and home health care.
4. Registered Nurse (RN)
A RN is higher in the ranks of the nursing world and becoming a RN requires the minimum of an associate’s degree. RN’s work in nursing homes, home health care, hospitals, trauma centers, doctor’s offices and more.
5. Nurse Practitioner (NP)
The nurse practitioner is the highest in the ranks of nursing and this requires a master’s degree. Working as a NP, you’re able to specialize in specific areas of healthcare. For example, as a FNP, you’ll work in family health and you’ll need a FNP degree. NP’s can work anywhere and are commonly found in hospitals and private practices.
The level of nursing that you choose to get started in is all up to you. There are many people who prefer to remain at the home health aide, CNA, and LPN nursing levels, while others choose to further their education to become a RN or NP. You could easily start out at the home health aide, CNA, or LPN levels and work your way up. If salary is important to you, when considering working while in school, you may wish to start out at the CNA or LPN levels first.