Have you been considering a career in the healthcare field? If not, you aren’t alone! With employment opportunities expected to continue to rise within the medical field there are plenty of job openings for anyone who is interested in pursuing this rewarding career. In addition, if you are interested in becoming a nurse, you will be happy to know that there are several different levels of nursing and you can get started in this field with nothing more than a certificate! Here’s a look at the different types of nursing careers and what you can expect from each.

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses, or RNs, are responsible for treating and educating patients about medical conditions while also providing emotional support to the patient’s family members. An RN may choose to specialize in one or in several different areas of patient care. This includes specializing in providing services within a certain type of setting, such as in an emergency room or in an operating room, as well as specializing in caring for specific types of conditions. RNs may also choose to specialize in working on a certain body system or organ, such has specializing in skin disorders, or they may work with a particular age group. Some specialized areas that RNs may choose to pursue include:

· Addiction Nurses
· Ambulatory Care Nurses
· Cardiovascular Nurses
· Critical Care Nurses
· Dermatology Nurses
· Diabetes Management Nurses
· Emergency, or Trauma, Nurses
· Gastroenterology Nurses
· Genetics Nurses
· Gynecology Nurses
· HIV/AIDS Nurses
· Transport Nurses
· Home Healthcare Nurses
· Hospice and Palliative Care Nurses
· Infusion Nurses
· Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Nurses
· Long-Term Care Nurses
· Medical-Surgical Nurses
· Neuroscience Nurses
· Occupational Health Nurses
· Oncology Nurses
· Opthalmic Nurses
· Orthopedic Nurses
· Otorhinolaryngology Nurses
· Perianthesia Nurses
· Perioperative Nurses
· Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses
· Rehabilitation Nurses
· Transplant Nurses
· Urology Nurses
· Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses

Those with RN degrees may also find employment as a clinical nurse specialist, a midwife, a case manager, a nurse administrator or as a nurse educator.

In order to become an RN, you first need to earn a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing, which is earned after receive an associate degree in nursing. You will then need to pass a national licensing examination in order to receive your nursing license. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median income for registered nurses was $57,280 in 2006. Those working for employment services earned the most, with an annual median income of $64,260. Those working in nursing care facilities, on the other hand, earned the least with an annual median income of $52,490.

Licensed Practical Nurse

A Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, works under the supervision of physicians as well as registered nurses. The exact duties assigned to LPNs vary from one job setting to the next as well as from state to state according to state regulations. In general, LPNs are responsible for providing basic bedside care to patients, which may include monitoring vital signs, preparing injections and dressing wounds. LPNs are also regularly called upon to provide instruction to family remembers regarding at home care for the patient. In states where permitted, they may also be called upon to administer medications, to provide care to patients who are dependent upon ventilators and to start IV fluids.

In order to become an LPN, you first need to complete an approved practical nursing program. These programs are often available through community colleges, vocational schools and vocational schools. In most cases, the programs take about one year to complete and cover basic nursing concepts. After completion of the program, you will need to pass a state licensing examination before you can become employed in the field. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual income for LPNs in $36,550 in 2006. Those who were employed with employment services earned the most, with an annual income of $42,110 in 2006, while those who worked in the offices of physicians earned the least with an annual income of $32,710.

Certified Nursing Assistant

A Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, provides assistance to LPNs, RNs and physicians in the care of patients. They most commonly find employment in nursing care facilities, hospitals and mental health facilities. When employed in a nursing care facility, the CNA is generally the primary caregiver. Since these patients often remain in nursing care facilities for several months or years, CNAs generally develop ongoing relationships with their patients.

In order to become a CNA, you first need to complete a nursing certification program. You must then successfully complete an examination before you receive certification. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median hourly wage for CNAs was $10.67 in 2006. Those working for local government facilities earned the most, with an hourly median wage of $12.15 while those working for community care facilities for the elderly earning the least with an hourly median wage of $10.07. Those who work as psychiatric aids earned a median hourly wage of $11.49.