What to Consider Before Taking Nurse Training Classes?

Answer 1

Healthcare is one career field that will never disappear. The demand for doctors and nurses is high, and will only increase over time. In order to work as a nurse, an individual must decide on what type of nurse they would like to become and then take the appropriate nurse training classes.

Types of Nurses

There are several types of nurses in the world. One type is a LPN, which stands for a licensed practical nurse. A licensed practical nurse can work in any medical setting and can conduct any medical task or skill within their realm. A LPN is considered the least educated type of nurse and is used for more hands-on tasks such as starting an IV. The next higher-educated nurse is a registered nurse, or RN. An RN often assumes a managing role on the nurse's team. Registered nurses are often desk nurses who keep track of patient's conditions, medications and also work directly with the physician. In hospitals, a registered nurse is often the one that provide medication to the patient.

The highest educated nurse in a medical setting is a CNP, or certified nurse practitioner. A CNP has reached major educational milestones and is now licensed by the state to work as a individual practitioner. Although a certified nurse practitioner is not a doctor, her role is similar. She can operate her own clinic and can prescribe medication. The limits are that she can only treat minor emergencies and non-life threatening conditions. She also cannot prescribe narcotic medication to patients.

Training Classes

To become a nurse, an individual must take a series of classes over several years. These classes are to train the individual in the skills needed to correctly take care of their patients. From learning what medications treat certain conditions to how to properly give those medications to patients, nurses are required to become highly educated in the field of medicine.

Nurse training classes are held in colleges and universities. The student must have completed all of the basic classes such as English and math before applying for admittance into nursing school. The average length of training for all nurses is at least four years.