Nursing Career Heirchy

[Thevdim]

Hello everyone, i have a few questions hoping to be answered.

1) I am doing a research on differences in nursing profession in regards to job duties their major responsibilities differences from cna, Lpn/Lvn, BSN, Msn, DNP. I have found many articles but the majority I found stated differences in school tuition, length of time for graduation, etc. not the major job responsibility differences.

2) correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I know, Msn or Dnp are able to sit in an examination for nurse practitioner certification (APNP/APRN). As a nurse practitioner, their job responsibilities are similar to that of a physician assistant (PA). The major difference is that PA works under the supervision of a Medical Doctor (MD) and NPs are able to work independently. What does it mean when PAs are supervised or works under a physician/MD? Examples?

3) a masters level NP are able to work independently without the supervision of a physician/MD. What does that mean? Examples?

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

Oh boy- where to begin?

First of all- the only ROLE you have listed is LPN/ LVN. All of the others are degrees- not roles.

RN is a role which can be attained by virtue of earning a diploma (rare), associates degree (AAS/ AS/ ADN), BSN or (rare) MSN - AND passing the NCLEX licensing exam.

MSN is a degree which may or may not lead to eligibility to take certification exams for any of the four advance practice roles (nurse practitioner, midwife, clinical specialist or nurse anesthetist). But not all MSNs lead to advance practice roles. My MSN, for example, is in Education. Other concentrations are in Leadership, Informatics, Case Management, Clinical Leadership and more.

The ROLE of advance practice nurse is governed and regulated by the Board of Nursing in which he/ she practices. In some states, practice is completely independent. In other states, collaborative agreements with a physician must be in place. There is no national standard.

Finally, DNP is a terminal degree in nursing. It CAN lead to advance practice- but it can also be in other non-clinical concentrations . Mine is in Educational Leadership.

[Thevdim]

Thanks for your reply and clarifIcation. But I should've made it more clear. I was gearing more towards their scope of practice differences in roles (i.e., cna focuses mainly in bedside caring, patient safety, etc., whereas an LPN/RN builds upon that foundation and focuses on assessment, treatment plan, formulating care plans, etc,.) so I guess what I'm getting at is how to differentiate general job differences and authorities between different degrees and roles: Lpn vs RN (adn vs BSN) and NP (Msn vs dnp). I'm focusing towards NP role and looking at the DNP program for that. Cost is a little cheaper for MSN programs vs DNP programs. The reason im looking at DNP programs

is because the AACN has voted to mandate or endorse advance practicing nurses to obtain at least a DNP degree. So More Companies and jobs are pushing APRN to obtain at least a doctorate degree.

Another point I want to discuss is LPNs saying they are doing the exact same thing as RNs. How would you counter that?

All in all, I want to know of these major differences in nursing roles to be able to differentiate