Nurse Managers And Executives
Position description: Nurse managers and nurse executives can help run clinics, or they may work for a hospital system at the C-suite level in healthcare management by helping strategize and plan care for hundreds of patients. If you aspire to the top levels of administration, you will be less involved with direct patient care, but your decisions may have a broad impact on patients. You will need to cultivate qualities such as integrity and flexibility, and skills such as communication, critical thinking, and leadership.
Requirements: To become a nurse manager or executive, you will likely need an MSN or DNP with a role specialty in executive leadership.
Licensed Practical Nurse / Licensed Vocational Nurse
LVNs and LPNs are interchangeable titles depending on where you work in the US. California and Texas use the title LVN, and the rest of the US uses LPN.
To become an LVN/LPN, you need a high school diploma or GED and to graduate from an accredited LVN/LPN program and pass the National Council Licensure Exam. LPN programs typically include one year of coursework and training at a hospital, community college, or technical school. There are also LPN to RN programs where LPNs can go back to school to become either an ADN RN or a BSN RN through accelerated programs.
LPNs and LVNs work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical facilities and are typically responsible for more basic kinds of patient care and comfort measures. Usually, they work under the guidance of an RN or MD.
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Cna Certificate Or Diploma
A certified nursing assistant certificate is a nondegree diploma offered at community colleges and vocational schools. Both classroom and online options are available, though all clinical hours must be performed in person at an approved location.
As a CNA student, youll learn how to provide basic healthcare services and help patients with their daily activities. Other duties typically include:
- Transferring patients in and out of bed
- Bathing and feeding patients
- Communicating with family members
- Changing bedding
The curriculum includes training in emergency procedures, personal care skills, and infection control. To increase your employment options, you can also earn voluntary certification in specialized areas such as psychiatry or geriatrics.
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Master’s Of Science In Nursing
Obtaining an MSN helps nurses increase their earning potential and advance their careers away from the bedside. Nurses with an MSN work in advanced nursing roles with increased responsibility. To obtain an MSN, nurses must first obtain an RN and Bachelor of Nursing degree.
Here are a few career choices for those with an MSN degree:
- Director of Nursing
- Quality Improvement Executive
Analysis Of The Impact Of Education On Wages
The wage premium received for nursing education can be evaluated by examining the relation between wage and a nurse’s experience and educational background. Education can both increase the productivity of new entrants to the workforce and also affect the rate at which experience increases productivity. Thus, differences in the effect of education on human capital might be observed both in entry-level wage differentials and in wage increases associated with experience .
Some RNs pursue a BSN after completing an AD, in what are called RN-to-BSN programs. To examine the effect of obtaining a BSN after initially entering the nursing profession with an AD, we estimated a second equation for this subsample of RNs: log = 0 + 1exp + 2exp2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + + +
In this equation, exp measures years since completion of the AD, and Post-BSNexp is the years since completion of the RN-to-BSN degree.
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Rn Vs Bsn: What’s The Difference
When comparing RN and BSN, first know that we are talking about a licensure versus a level of education. Lets dive into this main difference between RN and BSN further:
What is an RN?
A registered nurse is a nurse who has completed all educational and examination requirements, and has been licensed to practice nursing in their state. You will also see registered nurse as a job title or position.
The first step to become a registered nurse is to earn an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Once completed, RN candidates sit for the NCLEX-RN Exam, administered by the National Council of States Board of Nursing. Registered nurse candidates apply for licensure in the state where they intend to practice, once testing and education requirements have been satisfied.
What is a BSN?
The main difference between RN and BSN is that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an educational degree, rather than a licensure or job title.
Nurses can earn a BSN degree in one of two ways. You can pursue a BSN and RN at the same time through an entry-level program like Chamberlains 3-Year BSN degree. Alternately, you could become an RN through a diploma or associate degree program, and later return to school to complete your BSN degree through an RN to BSN online program.
So what is the difference between RN and BSN? In a nutshell, a BSN is the degree you earn. RN is the licensure you are granted through your state.
What Kind Of Nurses Get Paid The Most
While Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists make the highest salary, according to Murray, there are very few training spots available for this very competitive specialty.
Aside from CRNAs, nurses who work bedside, nights, and/or weekends get paid more, said Blevins. As you move up in leadership and administration, you get paid more as well. It all depends on the setting and level of training and experience that you have, she said.
The typical median salary for registered nurses as of 2020 was $75,330 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , which is significantly higher than the median national average of $41,950. Overall, the job outlook for nursing is strong, with a predicted 9% increase in job growth through 2030.
BLS reports that nurses in hospitals tend to earn the highest median salaries of $76,840 per year because their work involves round-the-clock and critical care. Nurses in ambulatory healthcare services see patients for routine medical care outside of a hospital setting. They earn a median salary of $72,340 per year, BLS reported. And nurses who provide care in nursing and residential care facilities earn a median salary of $68,450 per year.
While working in an educational setting commands a lower salary than bedside or ambulatory nurses, with a national median of $64,630 per year, nurses working in education still do much better than the national median.
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Is Your Goal To Become A Registered Nurse
Earning an associate degree or bachelors degree in nursing is the biggest step towards becoming an RN. There are a few more steps to take after graduation, including passing the NCLEX-RN and meeting the board of nursing requirements in your state. Learn how to become an RN and become a difference maker in healthcare.
After earning your BSN and becoming a registered nurse, you can reach the next level in nursing by earning your masters degree.
What Does A Registered Nurse Do
What a registered nurse does depends on their specialty, location, training, and experience. But some responsibilities for registered nurses remain universal. According to the American Nurses Association , the key responsibilities of an RN are:
- Performing physical exams and health histories before making critical decisions
- Providing health promotion, counseling, and education
- Administering medications and other personalized interventions
- Coordinating care, in collaboration with a wide array of healthcare professionals
The above responsibilities will always be a part of a registered nurse’s day at any level. However, an RN can also help assess the health of inmates in prisons, answer calls to nursing lines, or work abroad as a travel nurse, commonly on 13-week contracts. They could find themselves doing anything from assisting cancer patients after chemotherapy in an oncology department, to helping deliver babies, or monitoring patients post-surgery.
Some specializations require further certification, experience, or education such as a BSN qualification.
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Continuing Education Wages And Lifetime Earnings
Table Table33 presents estimated lifetime earnings for RNs whose initial education is the AD, and for those who continue to receive a BSN after initial licensure. The coefficients of the wage equation underlying these calculations are presented in Table S6. The wage equation indicates that the completion of an RN-to-BSN program confers both an immediate increase in earnings and also causes the return to experience to rise more rapidly. We calculated lifetime earnings associated with continuing education both for completing a RN-to-BSN program 5 years after initial licensure and 10 years after licensure. Regardless of when the BSN is completed or whether the discount rate is 2 or 5 percent, the expected lifetime earnings for those who complete RN-to-BSN education are greater than those who do not continue education beyond the AD. The gain is greatest when the BSN is completed 5 years after the AD, providing a total increase of 5.1 percent.
Salary Potential For Rns With Adn Vs Bsn Degrees
According to PayScale, the average annual salary for an RN with an ADN is $70,700 as of May 2021, compared to the average annual salary of $86,520 for an RN with a BSN. Many employers require or strongly prefer a BSN for specialized or advanced positions. Positions with administrative responsibilities also prefer a bachelor’s. Still, there are many rewarding opportunities for both nurses with ADNs and BSN-holders.
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Whats The Difference Between 2 Year And 4 Year Nursing Degree
In professional skills, one can say that an 2-year prepared nurse is a technical nurse, while a 4 year trained nurse is a professional nurse. However, the major difference is that the two year trained nurse has more clinical skills, while the other focuses on leadership, nursing research, management as well as clinical skills training.
But both prepare nurses to provide patient care that meets accepted standards. The four year trained nurse will have a better understanding of cultural, economic, and social issues that affect patients and influence healthcare delivery systems.
How To Get Your Bsn
Here are the steps to take to earn your Bachelor of Science in nursing:
1. Research accredited BSN programs
Youll want to find the school that best fits your schedule, budget and location. Options to consider include, whether you plan to work full time or part time while in school, whether you want to attend classes in person or online and the amount of time it will take you to complete the program.
2. Meet with an admissions counselor
An admissions counselor can help you determine the best program for your situation and desired career path. For instance, if you are already working as an RN, a counselor can advise you on how many courses you would need to take to earn your BSN and how long you can expect it to take you.
3. Apply to an accredited BSN degree program
Make sure that you address all of the application requirements when you apply to a program. Your admissions counselor should be able to guide you through this step.
4. Seek volunteer opportunities
You may want to seek opportunities to volunteer in health care settings to obtain experience as you pursue your degree. Youll need to find opportunities that do not require you to have an ADN or BSN.
5. Successfully complete a BSN degree program
You must complete all of the requirements of the particular program that you entered. Most programs take four years to complete but there are some exceptions.
6. Pass the NCLEX exam
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Do The Extra Two Years Pay Off
In general, getting a bachelors degree is a win in terms of pay over an associates degree. In our sample, the national starting median pay for those who hold only a bachelors degree is $43,200, which is over 20 percent higher than the national starting median pay for those who hold an associates degree .
However, those extra two years are expensive. Assuming you dont work at the median associates degree pay of $35,100 for two years, and pay ~$8,000 a year for tuition and fees, that is a $88,200 in foregone income and expenses.
With the $8,100 to $22,900 median per year premium for a bachelors, it will take less than 10 years to earn back the missing earning years and tuition cost. Everything after that is gravy.
Of course, most people would also count two years of college as a lot more fun than 2 years of full-time work
Getting a bachelors degree doesnt just come with a higher chance of good pay. It also improves your chance of staying employed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rates of workers
In conclusion, when looking at typical pay the employee with a bachelors degree will always earn more than one with an associates degree. Although top earning associate degree workers can earn the same or more as the typical bachelors degree holder, the key word here is can. The above data shows that it is not the common case.
List Of The Cons Of A 2
1. A 2-year college wont provide you with a bachelors degree. If you fulfill all of the obligations of a community colleges two-year program, then you can walk away from that experience with an associates degree. That can help you to get into some careers or apprenticeship programs, but it does not carry the same prestige as the bachelors degree that a 4-year university provides. If your goal is to get that undergraduate degree so that you can pursue a graduate or doctorate program, then youll need to enroll in a college or university by transferring your transcripts to them.
2. You must choose your major right away at a community college. Almost 50% of college students will change their major at least once while they go to school. If you are going after an associates degree at your local 2-year college, then that means youre locked into a career path almost right away. If you decide to attend a four-year university instead, then you have more liberty to make changes to your career plans as you recognize what your strengths and weaknesses happen to be. You typically have about twice as much time to make these choices when you compare the structure of these two institutions.
The average university student graduates with almost $30,000 in student loan debt today. This debt holds people back for years, preventing them from buying a home, getting married, or starting a family. Going to a community college lets you get a great education without that risk.
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What Is An Rn Diploma Or Certificate
RN certificate programs include clinical topics such as human biology, caring for patients, administering tests and medication, patient communications, and ethics. They also require clinical hours. RN diplomas are offered by hospitals or other healthcare facilities, rather than colleges or universities, and usually take up to two years.
Credits earned for an RN diploma, however, may not transfer to a BSN program unlike an ADN. If your primary concern is how long it takes to be an RN, an RN diploma is the fastest approach, but an ADN or BSN can lead to more career opportunities.
Passing The State Board Exam
Completing an ADN or BSN program also prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN, a certification exam required to officially earn an RN title in all 50 states. All 50 states also uphold the same standard for a passing score.
Before taking this exam, apply with your state licensing board to confirm that you meet all other state-specific criteria. It does cost money to apply for an RN license and to take the NCLEX-RN, but fees vary from state to state. You can use Nursing Licensure’s interactive map as a starting point when looking up requirements, but your nursing school will also provide assistance.
In addition, becoming licensed in one state may allow you to legally work in neighboring states as well, but not always. If you live near a state line and you’re not sure where you’ll end up working, it could be worthwhile to obtain a license for both states.
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What Are The Benefits Of Getting A Bsn Degree
There are many benefits to getting your BSN. As mentioned, being a Registered Nurse with a BSN has two visible advantages to being a non-BSN RN:
- Higher pay.
- Expanded job opportunities
But there are many others too.
- Preparedness as a higher education graduate, you are ready to deal with patients more effectively in many areas. This has a positive impact on patients, too. Studies show that each 10% increase in BSN nurses leads to a 7% decline in mortality after common surgery. Also, thanks to their expertise, patient hospital stays are also 2% shorter, with 19% less chance of readmission.
- Leadership roles a BSN degree opens doors to leadership roles, including nurse unit managing positions.
- Specialty nursing getting your BSN degree often leads to more specialized nursing work.
- A path to progression to stand a better chance of securing an Advanced Practice Nurse job, with a salary closing in on six figures, you need to get a BSN.
- Its becoming a requirement. Because of the improved results in outcomes for BSN nurses, New York passed a law in 2017 that requires all licensed nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree within ten years of initial licensure.