Nursing

Registered Nurse

Registered nursing (RN) requires a large base of knowledge used to assess, plan and intervene to promote health, prevent disease and help patients cope with illness. When providing direct patient care, nurses observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress, which provides the basis for care planning and intervention.

RN roles range from direct patient care and case management to establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, directing complex nursing care systems, conducting clinical research and teaching in nursing programs, as well as practicing in many other invigorating settings.

Nurse Anesthetist

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice nurses who safely provide more than 32 million anesthetics for surgical, obstetrical and trauma care each year in the United States. They administer every type of anesthetic, work in every type of practice setting and provide care for every type of operation or procedure – from open heart surgery to pain management programs.

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who provide care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns to the elderly.

They perform comprehensive and focused physical examinations; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other chronic health problems; order and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-rays and EKGs, as well as laboratory tests; prescribe medications and therapies; perform procedures; and educate and counsel patients and their families regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options.

Master in Science Nursing

A master’s in nursing program will equip you with the skills and advanced training you need to give high-quality nursing care in a specialized role, such as nurse practitioner. Earning your MSN qualifies you to deliver many of the same health care services that physicians are qualified to do, which is particularly important in today’s health care field. Physicians may have packed schedules or cost too much for some patients making advanced practice nurses a great alternative.

Areas of Specialization (tracks)

Degree Type: ADN (Associate Degree Nursing); BSN (Bachelor Science Nursing); MSN (Master of Science Nursing); DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Popular Certifications: RN (Registered Nurse), CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists), NP (Nurse Practitioner)

Test Required: Check with institution