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What are the Different Types of Nursing?
- April 27, 2023
- Posted by: The Mauldin Group
- Category: NCLEX®
If you want to become a nurse, you might find yourself overwhelmed with options. There are many different types of nurses, each with different degree requirements, working hours, and locations. Do you want to work in a hospital or a physician’s office? Do you want to work with babies or the elderly? No matter the location or patients you serve, you will need to pass the NCLEX ® before you become a nurse. Ready to Pass NCLEX ® classes will equip with the skills to pass the test and succeed in any field.
What is an RN?
RN stands for Registered Nurse. It refers to the certification needed to practice as a nurse. Each state has different degree requirements to become a nurse, but all nurses in all states need an RN certificate. The minimum education requirement is an associate’s degree, but higher degrees can add more credentials and allow nurses to get more specialized work. No matter what kind of degree a candidate earns, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX ®) to get certified.
Types of Nursing Degrees
ADN: This stands for associate degree in nursing. This degree takes two years to complete. It’s the minimum academic requirement to become an RN.
BSN: A bachelor’s degree in nursing takes four years to complete. It qualifies students to work as RN’s and pursue a graduate education in nursing. It also qualifies students to work as nurse educators, clinical research nurses, recruiters, and forensic nurses.
MSN: A master’s degree in nursing gives students specialized skills based on career aspirations. Specializations may include public health, family nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. Many graduates work as nurse practitioners.
Types of Nursing Specialties
In addition to different education requirements, nursing can also be divided by specialty. Nurses can work in a variety of locations and with different types of people. There are too many different types to completely cover in this blog post, but here are the top ten most well-known types of nursing according to Indeed:
- Neonatal nurse: Cares for newborn babies, especially those born premature or have other health complications.
- School nurse: Work in educational institutions and provide care during school hours.
- Cardiac care nurse: Cares for patients with heart conditions.
- Home health nurse: Cares for patients in their own homes. Can focus on daily tasks or medical care.
- Public health nurse: Works in government health departments to promote disease prevention through policy and education.
- Pediatric nurse: Cares for children from infancy through age 18.
- Nurse case manager: Coordinate patients and healthcare teams to create and implement medical care plans and arrange referrals to specialists.
- Community nurse: Educate people, prevent diseases, and manage health conditions in communities.
- Hospice nurse: Cares for terminally ill patients in a hospital or the patient’s own home.
- Charge nurse: Manage a unit or ward in a hospital.
Let Ready to Pass NCLEX ® Classes Help You Succeed in the Field of Your Choice!
No matter what type of nursing or field you choose, you need to pass the NCLEX ® before you can practice as a nurse. Ready to Pass will help you prepare for the NCLEX ® and beyond by equipping you with the skills you need to pass the test and that will help you succeed in the field. We teach you to think like a nurse, not a test-taker. Contact us online or call us at (516) 408-3696 to get started with NCLEX ® classes today!