Types of Nursing Education

Nursing education and opportunities for nurses has changed over the years. Florence Nightingale was the first person to formalize nursing education and established the first scientifically based nursing school -- the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas' Hospital in London -- in 1860. Since that time the nursing field has grown as a profession and in how training is provided. A person can take many career paths and choose from a variety of delivery methods, from training as a nursing assistant to receiving a Doctorate of Nursing, .

Certifed Nursing Assistant

• There are many roles that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) can perform. In most instances this certification will allow a person to assist Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses in hospitals and nursing homes with basic patient care. This program will vary in length and requirements depending on state guidelines. Many programs are held at community colleges and take approximately two years to complete.

Licensed Practical Nurse

• A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN). LPNs are able to obtain vital signs and complete patient assessments. They share information with registered nurses and doctors to help determine the best course of care for a patient. Most LPN programs are one year in length. This training includes both classroom study and supervised clinical practice with patients. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, most training programs are available from technical and vocational schools or community and junior colleges.

Registered Nurse

• A Registered Nurse (RN) works in a variety of settings ranging from operating rooms and intensive care units to retirement homes and elementary schools. The U.S.Department of Labor states that there are three typical educational paths to registered nursing: a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), an associate degree in nursing (ADN), and a diploma. BSN programs are offered by colleges and universities and take about four years to complete.

Nurse Practicioner

• A Nurse Practitioner is an RN with advanced training at the Master's Degree or Doctoral levels. These nurses are able to prescribe medications, treat illnesses and administer physical exams independent of a physician. These programs are generally found at universities and take one to two years to complete. Areas of specialization may include pediatric, family practice and geriatric medicine.