It is no secret that the nursing profession plays a big role in the healthcare system. Alongside other health professions, they are considered to be the backbone that holds the system together.
One great thing about the profession is the number of specialties that an aspiring nurse can pursue. Each role in the profession is different as it pertains to its responsibilities and educational requirements.
Best Accredited Colleges has detailed the roles that CNAs, RNs, and CRNAs play in the workplace and explains below how they are all important in the healthcare sector today.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
What Is A CNA?
A certified nursing assistant is responsible for providing basic care to patients as well as assisting them with activities of daily living. They primarily work under the supervision of registered nurses and can be seen working in nursing homes and hospitals.
What Are the Duties?
CNAs are able to perform a wide variety of tasks and duties. On any given day, they are typically doing the following:
- cleaning and bathing patients
- serving meals and helping patients with eating
- assisting patients with dressing
- measuring patients' vital signs
- documenting patients' health concerns
Depending on the state, nursing assistants may be eligible to take on additional responsibilities, such as administering medications. Working as a CNA can be deeply rewarding for individuals who wish to have constant interactions with their patients.
How Do I Become An RN?
In order to become a CNA, individuals would need to complete a state-approved education program. These programs are mainly held at high schools, community colleges, technical schools, and hospitals.
Along with completing a state-approved education program, candidates are required to pass a CNA licensure exam. The exam is broken into two sections: a written test and a skills demonstration test.
There are 23 skills that are evaluated during the skills portion.
Registered Nurse (RN)
What Is An RN?
Registered nurses (RNs) are responsible for providing and coordinating patient care plans. Along with providing hands-on care, they spend a considerable amount of time educating and supporting their patients through various health conditions.
In comparison to CNAs, RNs have more responsibilities and can perform more advanced duties.
What Duties Does an RN Have?
There are a wide variety of tasks that RNS can perform. Some of the common ones are:
- assessing patients' conditions
- administering patients' medicines and treatments
- consulting and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- operating and monitoring medical equipment
- creating or updating patient care plans
- educating patients on at-home treatment
The majority of registered nurses work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare professionals. The duties can vary depending on the nurse's unit or department.
How Do I Become an RN?
Becoming a registered nurse requires dedication and commitment on the student's part. There are three degree programs that a student can earn to become a registered nurse. These programs are:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): An accredited bachelor's degree is the most common degree that most nurses hold. The degree typically takes four years to complete. Some students can complete the degree program sooner, given that there are previous credits earned.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Some nurses hold an associate's degree. Many of these programs are offered at technical and community colleges. The programs are typically finished in two to three years.
Diploma Programs: Some hospitals still offer nursing diploma programs. Diploma programs are not as common as the traditional ADN and BSN programs. They are still a viable option for individuals who are interested in completing the educational requirements in two to three years.
After the completion of a degree or diploma program from an accredited institution, nursing candidates are required to register and pass the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) and obtain a nursing license from the state's Board of Nursing.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
What Is a CRNA?
Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), are mainly responsible for administering anesthesia to patients. They are responsible for providing care before, during, and after operations.
They are different from RNs as they have specialized responsibilities, such as spinal care, epidurals, and arterial line placements. They are required to be proficient in many different skills as they pertain to anesthesia care.
What Are CRNAs Responsible For?
Nurse anesthetists perform their duties in three stages: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative. Throughout the three stages, CRNAs can typically be seen:
- assessing a patient's medical history
- performing a physical assessment
- determining the proper amount of anesthesia
- monitoring a patient's vital signs
- delivering anesthesia
- administering medications that help block pain
- supervising recovery from anesthesia
Due to numerous responsibilities, the training to become a CRNA is extensive and requires dedication on the candidate's end.
How Do I Become a CRNA?
To become a nurse anesthetist, individuals would need to complete a Master of Science in Nursing Degree Anesthetist program after the completion of a BSN program. The programs generally consist of 64 credits and can be completed in 29 months.
However, starting in 2025, all interested individuals would need to earn a doctoral degree and certification. The two doctoral degrees available are:
These programs typically take three years to complete. All nursing candidates would need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree before pursuing higher levels of education in nursing.
In addition, doctoral programs require students to have at least one year of critical-care experience prior to admission.
After graduating from an accredited doctoral program, the candidates are required to take both the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) to become licensed nurse anesthetists.
Recertification is required every four years in all states.
Enroll In a Program Today
There are so many different careers to pursue in the nursing profession. Like many other health professions, the nursing profession allows individuals to pursue the roles that appeal to them the most.
If any of these careers interest you, please reach out to your program of choice for more information on their admission requirements.