CNA in need of advice of furthering education

[jfrink23]

Hello,

My name is justin and i was looking on some advice and info on ideas i have for furthing my education in becoming an RN. I will give you some background info on my current standing and thanks for reading!

I am 20 years old,I currently have my CNA for almost a year now, after graduating the course i landed my current job which is a direct care staff in an assisted living facility for mentally and behaviorally disabled people, love my job!

Through work i have gotten CPR/First Aid and PMT training (Physical/psycological management training) and i am med cert now too. Alot of guys here dont have their CNA and its a big plus for me it helps me bring alot more to the table to improve my clients quality of life and so far i love the health care field.

As for the advice part i know i want to continue on and im thinking of going for 4 years to get my RN or go for 2 first either one, but after that is where i need help. Ive been looking up some stuff and what sounds interesting for me would to go and get an APRN degree or DNP and from CNA school my teacher was a Director of Nursing in a facility and that sounds interesting to me. I would do well as either of those im just not sure of the schooling needed and the differences between the APRN and DNP. So any advice on my situation and ideas would be welcome and appreciated! Thank you :)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

APRN is the abbreviation for Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. APRN is the umbrella term used for nurses who possess educational training and certification as Certified Nurse Midwives, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Practitioners. These nurses received a graduate degree (MS/MSN or DNP) in these nursing specialties and are state certified to perform these roles in addition to having an active license as an RN.

DNP or Doctor of Nursing Practice is a degree. There are DNP programs that will prepare nurses for APRN roles.

A Director of Nursing is a nursing title or position that is used to designate the head of all the nurses in a nursing facility such as a nursing home or an assisted living facility and sometimes home care agencies. In the hospital setting, this position is usually called Chief Nursing Officer or Director of Nursing Services. Depending on the particular institution, qualifications may vary from having a Bachelor's degree (in smaller facilities) to Master's and Doctoral degrees in large medical centers.

[jfrink23]

Alright thanks for the info, its much appreciated!