Aspiring nurses have many avenues to reach the profession of nursing. Registered nurses, or R.N.'s, study in hospital schools or colleges and universities and earn baccalaureate degrees. They work under a doctor's direction and supervise direct patient care and the training of student nurses. Advanced nursing degrees include masters and Ph.D's in nursing science and nursing specialties. L.P.N.'s, or licensed practical nurses, and L.V.N.'s, licensed vocational nurses, study in two-year programs to earn associate degrees and at technical colleges for diplomas and certificates for entry-level nursing under the direction of R.N.'s and doctors.
Nurses perform a wide variety of clinical health care roles. A bigger variety of nursing titles are available to nurses with bachelor's degrees than associate degrees or certificates, making additional and ongoing education in the field attractive. The titles held by nurses with four-year degrees include nurse manager, nurse researcher, nurse midwife, primary care nurse, practical nurse, nurse practitioner, staff nurse and school nurse. Nursing specialties that require advanced training include obstetrics and gynecology nursing, oncology nursing, nurse anesthetist, burn ICU nursing, acute care nursing, cardiology nursing and dialysis nursing.
Nurses have many career opportunities. L.P.N.'s and L.V.N.'s work in nursing homes, hospitals, acute care centers and clinics in entry-level nursing roles with stable patients. R.N.'s have much wider career opportunities in many different settings, from hospitals to nursing homes to public health, performing nursing service, nursing administration, nursing education, nursing research and nursing specialties. Those with advanced nursing degrees work in health care management and education.
Modern nursing is a respected profession very different from care of the sick and infirm in temples in ancient times. Nurses must know science and anatomy, biology and pharmaceutical information, as well as patient psychology and be able to navigate the complex health care system. Certified education is required and advanced training and specialization is often preferred for a satisfying career.