If you excel as a caregiver, you may have considered a career in nursing. However, as you look closer, you’ll find that there are a variety of options available to you within the nursing profession. Below we’ve outlined three of the most basic roles within the nursing field: certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).
Certified nursing assistants
As a CNA, you provide the most basic level of care, assisting patients with everyday needs such as eating, bathing, getting dressed, and administering medications. To become a CNA, you only need to complete an eight- to ten-week program and pass a certification exam at the end. In the Cincinnati suburbs of Kentucky, you could expect to earn around $24,910 per year as a CNA.
LPNs provide basic care like CNAs but are also responsible for a greater amount of their patients’ medical care. As an LPN, you may be responsible for such tasks as checking patients’ vitals, changing bandages, and drawing blood. To become an LPN, you must first complete a 12- to 18-month program and pass the national licensure exam. In the Cincinnati metropolitan area, you could expect to earn around $42,860 per year as an LPN.
Registered nurses
Registered nurses still provide medical care, but they are also responsible for how a patient is treated overall. RNs formulate, implement, and maintain a plan for their patients’ care, and supervise other staff members such as LPNs and CNAs. To become an RN, you must complete either a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. In the Cincinnati area, you could expect to earn around $61,170 per year as an RN.
With over 40,000 nurses in the Cincinnati metropolitan area employed by large organizations such as Genesis Healthcare, Pinnacle Treatment Centers, and the HealthSouth Corporation, you’re sure to find a job that’s a good fit for you. Check out the list of local schools below to find a quality program and begin your new nursing career.