Nursing skill levels in the USA

Farkinott, RN · Oct 9, 2003

I forgot to add that Enrolled Nurses are caled ENs and Assistants in Nursing AINs.

Victioria ( a southern state calls RNs Registerd Nurse Division 1 and Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurse Division 2 (just to confuse the issu!)

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

Wow! And I thought we were confusing. Do you think confusion is because the nursing profession is confused about who we are and what we do?? Anyway, three are two types of nurses in the US. Licensed Practical Nurse (LVN) is called Licensed Vocational Nurse in Texas and Calif. They have about 1 year of nursing school which focuses on skills. They are restricted from doing certain things, depending on the state in which they practice. A Registered Nurse is one who holds a Diploma in Nursing (from a hospital/school combo program---going out of style), an Associates Degree in Nursing (college pre-requistites plus 2 yr of nursing school) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 yr college degree). Of course, the length of the program may depend on whether the individual attends full or part time. Once graduated, the student must past NCLEX exam to be an RN. After getting license, the nurse may choose to further education in various ways. Most hospitals now require a BSN minimum to hold management position. The arguement persists over "who is the better nurse", but of course it depends on the individual.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

sorry for all the mis-spelled words. Hope I answered your question.

gwenith, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2003

To be honest I had thouthgt about posting a thread on American -Australian translations over in the Australasian forum.

Other terms you might find confusing are:-

MAR = Medical record sheet - drug chart

GTT = drips/IV's

CNA certified Nursing Assistant = AIN

CRNA - Nurse Anaesthetist = We have no equivalent

NP = Nurse Practitioners

MA = Medical Assistants

PA = Physcian Assistants

RT = Respiratory technician

There are more Hmmm I might post this in the UK forum as well

American terms you find confusing:roll

Then we will post a similar thread in the USA forum Australian/ British terms you might find confusting!!!:kiss

Repat · Oct 9, 2003

The differences in our common languages are great fun - my Dad was admitted to a British hospital, very sick, and my Mom was asked to bring in a 'flannel' for him. She wondered if they were looking for pyjamas! Also, his nurse advised him to 'keep his pecker up' - meaning, in American, chin up. He was a bit shocked!!

sjoe · Oct 10, 2003

click on the "glossary" button, top righthand corner of your screen for some of these abbreviations. others can be PMd to Brian so that the list may be enhanced.