Nurses can be divided into roughly two categories. An LPN is a licensed practical nurse. LPNs are widely employed in locations such as hospitals and nursing homes. Many perform duties such as assisting patients with activities after a stroke and educating patients and their families about medical procedures. RNs or registered nurses perform such duties as well. In addition, RNs also perform such duties such as administering intravenous medication and supervising other medical personnel including LPNs.
An LPN is a licensed practical nurse. In order to become an LPN, one must enter a program leading to an LPN certificate at a school of nursing or community college. Student LPNs study subjects such as human psychology, biology and pharmacology. Study is centered around learning to perform necessary nursing tasks such as changing a patient's dressing effectively. Such coursework helps student nurses master nursing tasks in a low-stress environment.
Potential RNs must earn an associate's or bachelor's degree. Student RN work centers around acquiring a broad depth of knowledge in fields such as biology and chemistry. Those earning a two-year degree spend the first year of their education studying the sciences and liberal arts. The second year of the program is designed to help students learn how to perform nursing procedures. Students who are attending a four-year college earn a bachelor's degree known as a BSN or bachelor of science in nursing. BSN students spent two years studying the liberal arts in order to learn skills such as how to communicate well with doctors and fellow nurses. After the first two years have been completed, students spend an additional two years studying nursing techniques and procedures in depth.
All nursing students must take and pass a term of clinical education. Clinical education is a period of full-time on-the-job training in a hospital. During this time, student nurses practice nursing procedures under the close supervision of a nursing instructor. Clinical education allows nursing students to get direct nursing experience while still having access to instructors who can guide them through procedures and answer any questions they may have. Clinical nursing students rotate through various departments of a hospital. The chance to work directly in various fields of medicine such as labor and delivery and the emergency room can help a student nurse decide which area of nursing she prefers.
Upon graduation, student nurses must pass a state licensing examination in order to seek employment in the field. The state nursing licensing exam is known as the NCLEX or National Counsel Licensure Exam. LPNs take one version (the NCLEX-PN or Practical Nurse) and RNs take another (the NCLEX-RN). The purpose of the examination to make sure that all nurses have mastered a specific body of material before entering the field. Studying for the exam can help student nurses make sure they have learned the basics of nursing before their first solo nursing shift.