Breaking down nursing careers in healthcare

Between job security, an increasing need for properly trained workers, and a raise in expected salaries, healthcare careers are becoming a more popular and profitable choice that many are showing interest in. With a national nursing shortage, those who do chose this path will rarely struggle to find employment.

Healthcare careers in nursing break down into more than one type of position, each requiring different training and provide differing responsibilities and salaries. Although all fall, to the general public, under the category of nursing, CNAs, LPNs, and RNs are not the same.

A healthcare career as a certified nursing assistant requires more face to face time with patients that other options may provide. Because of this, CNAs need to have fairly good people skills. These individuals are responsible for everything monitoring patients' blood pressure to bathing those who cannot do so for themselves.

Although this healthcare career requires one to handle some of the less pleasant aspects of nursing, CNAs often find their interactions patients very fulfilling. Those who chose this option have to obtain a diploma through an accredited course that takes six months to a year. The average salary for a nursing assistant is $22,000 a year. According to a simplyhired.com survey, there has been a 79 percent increase in the hiring of CNAs since 2006

Licensed practical nurses maybe responsible for some of the same things that CNAs are, but they may also collect patient samples, perform routine lab tests, set up exam or treatment rooms, and in, some states, prescribe certain medications. LPNs may also supervise the work of CNAs.

To become an LPN, one usually has to get an associates in nursing which can take anywhere from one to two years. Although the education may take longer, LPNs are rewarded with larger salaries. The average licensed practical nurse makes approximately $36,550 a year. Simply Hired's survey showed that 18 percent more LPNs have been hired this year than previously.

Requiring more education than either of the other two healthcare career's mentioned, registered nurses almost always have to have a bachelors degree in nursing. RNs also work more closely with doctors to ensure that patients continue their recovery. These individuals often perform more complicated tests and can be responsible for writing health care plans, which they supervise CNAs and LPNs to carry out.

Many RNs assist in surgery, handling sterilization of instruments and a variety of other things that the doctor in charge may require. These individuals make, on average, $57,280 a year, but many enjoy much larger salaries. In the last year, simplyhired.com says there has been a 52 percent increase in the hiring of RNs

Salaries in thse careers are usually effected by the degree of education and experience that one has. As in most cases, extra training and certifications can increase the size of one's paycheck.