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Nursing can be a very rewarding career. If offers professional status, worldwide civilian and military employment opportunities, good income and benefits, and is rarely affected by the ups and downs of the economy.

There are four basic levels of professional nurses, based on a scale of skill and education: nurse's aide, licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN) and nurse-practitioner (NP). There are other specialties in the field, but most fall within the four categories.

A nurse's aide usually has a high school diploma, and six months to a year of basic medical training, but in many areas this isn't required. This helper, often an unpaid volunteer, serves in various duties to help the professional staff, such as changing bedding, cleaning, bring supplies, assisting patients and general clerical duties at the nurses' station of the hospital or nursing home.

A licensed practical nurse is usually a high school graduate, with college-level nursing training of from one to two years. An LPN must pass a state-sponsored examination to qualify for a license. The duties may include everything from cleaning, assisting patients to running a nurses' station to giving prescribed medications. In military medical facilities, an LPN is usually ranked as a sergeant or lower non-commissioned officer.

A registered nurse is usually a college graduate with a degree in nursing or equivalent, often with some specialized professional medical training. The duties include supervising lower-level staff members, administering medications, preparing reports and primary patient care. In military medical facilities, an RN is a commissioned officer, and if a newly-graduated college graduate will begin as a second lieutenant or ensign.

A nurse practitioner has a bachelor's degree in nursing, and usually a master's degree in nursing or hospital administration. Many experienced NPs go on to earn doctorates. The NP is usually in charge of the administration of a large medical practice or a major hospital department. The NP may be responsible for expenses, budget and all nursing care. In military medical facilities, an NP who is career military may attain rank as high as Army or Air Force colonel or general, or Navy admiral, after many years of supervisory responsibilities and experience.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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