Private nurses are currently in high demand to provide medical care for clients in their own homes. However, there are differences in nurse credentials and it’s important to know the information on the specific kind of nurse that you require. Which nurse do I need? Please read on to learn the answer.
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Certified Nursing Assistants or CNA's:
CNA training programs on average take about two to six months, and some of the schools do permit a CNA to train on the job. CNA's must take a competency exam before their name can be officially added to the state's list of approved CNA's. A CNA’s duties are mostly attending to a persons basic care needs: bathing, dressing, and grooming. They are not allowed to provide any medical care, but can do simple things such as take blood pressures and blood sugar readings. The work place is also different for CNA's. Many of them end up working in nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, retirement homes, and private homes.
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Licensed Vocational Nurse or LVN's:
Licensed Vocational Nurses are often called Licensed Practical Nurses or LPN's as well. The training program for LVN's can take up to a year and their curriculum of education does prepare them to be ready for bedside nursing. The education of an LVN or LPN does involve having hands-on clinical experience in a hospital, clinic, or skilled nursing facility. Those who do become licensed vocational nurses must pass a national licensing exam to get their license to practice this specialized kind of nursing. The duties they perform are medical related and clerical related in nature. Some of these duties can include drawing blood, assisting doctors with examinations of patients, and the list goes on.
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Registered Nurse or RN's:
A Registered Nurse or RN is the most educated of all private nurses. He or she has graduated from an accredited nursing education program. They have also passed a state board examination and gotten their license registered to do practical nursing. They can have an Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, or even a Master's Degree in Science. RN's are independent in states. A Registered Nurse have a scope of practice, caring plan, and critical thinking that make them specialized in the medical field.
