What is a the difference between RN I, II, III etc?

Specializes in Oncology, Med-Surg.
What is a the difference between RN I, II, III etc?

I am currently a new grad RN. I think it is considered a RN I at where I work at? I was wondering if anyone really knew what the numbers meant. What is the difference between RN I, II, III etc? What do I have to do to get RN II. I hear you need 2 years experience as a nurse to get that and then you get the base rate pay for the job. Any clarification would help. Someone also told me to get RN III you have to do a project?

Again thanks in advance

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing the different levels of registered nurses (RN) in their facilities, such as RN I, II, III, and IV, as well as the responsibilities and experience required for each level. Some users shared their personal experiences with different classifications causing tension among coworkers. Additionally, there is a debate about the legality of discussing salaries at work, with some users mentioning that it is illegal to be fired for discussing pay.

11 Answers

Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

This might differ somewhat according to clinical ladders but IMO, basically, this kind of covers the designations:

The RN 1 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation/intervention, and evaluation.

An applicant will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one year training period.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The RN 2 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, nursing care planning, nursing care implementation/intervention, and nursing care evaluation. This class differs from that of Registered Nurse 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse and experience equivalent to one year of registered nursing.

The RN 3 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation/intervention, and evaluation. The RN 3 is a member of the management team and has clinical responsibility, including scheduling, motivation, discipline, employee evaluation, handling grievances, interviewing, and staff development.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse and experience equivalent to three years of registered nursing.

The RN 4 is the managerial class in the Registered Nurse sub series and is responsible for managing nursing staff activities on all shifts, has twenty-four hour administrative responsibility or serves as an assistant director of nursing.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse and experience equivalent to four years of registered nursing.

OR:

Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse, education equivalent to a diploma in registered nursing from an accredited school of nursing or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, and experience equivalent to three years of registered nursing.

The RN 5 is the highest class in the Registered Nurse series and provides nursing consulting and program management which involves developing, implementing, and evaluating registered nursing policies and procedures, determining staffing needs, budget development and monitoring, procurement and contract negotiation, and administrative reports.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse, education equivalent to a diploma in registered nursing from an accredited school of nursing or bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, and experience equivalent to four years of registered nursing, of which one year must be nursing supervisory or consultation experience.

OR:

Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse, education equivalent to a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university, and experience equivalent to three years of registered nursing, of which one year must be nursing supervisory or consultation experience.

Hope the info. above helps you.

Specializes in Wound care, Surgery,Infection control.
mizfradd said:
This might differ somewhat according to clinical ladders but IMO, basically, this kind of covers the designations:

The RN 1 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation/intervention, and evaluation.

An applicant will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one year training period.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse.

The RN 2 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, nursing care planning, nursing care implementation/intervention, and nursing care evaluation. This class differs from that of Registered Nurse 1 in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse and experience equivalent to one year of registered nursing.

The RN 3 provides registered nursing care which involves nursing assessment and diagnosis, planning, implementation/intervention, and evaluation. The RN 3 is a member of the management team and has clinical responsibility, including scheduling, motivation, discipline, employee evaluation, handling grievances, interviewing, and staff development.

Education and Experience: Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse and experience equivalent to three years of registered nursing.

Thanks for taking the time to explain how some hospitals classify the staff. At my previous job my badge read "Senior Nurse RN 3" and in my opinion this created friction with my co-workers from day one. The nurse that had been there the longest was a " RN 2" . All the other nurses had badges that said "Staff Nurse". They immediately asked how long I had been a nurse and what I was being paid. Although I had been a nurse for many more years than any of them I had no experience in my new department and they knew I was making significantly more than anyone there. After four months of being treated like dirt I resigned . Happy ending .....love my new job and everyone I work with . My badge says RN and so does my supervisors : )

To sum it up, it really depends on where you're located and the codes HR is using. I work for the State of Illinois and my title is a Forensic RN2 which means, I'm a Nurse Supervisor and my department I work in.

RN is just starting; RN1 skilled nurse with some years under their belt; RN2 = Nurse Supervisor; RN3 = ADON & RN4 = DON.  

 

Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We have a CNI, CNII, CNIII and CNIV. CNI is a new grad. CNII is either an RN that has been at our hosp for a year or hired as an experienced RN. CNIII and CNIV have specific requirements, clinically based. For example, a CNIV has to do a project that has a measurable outcome (data). 

All require a certain amount of CEs and experiences to maintain (I.e. professional memberships, specialty certifications). 

 

Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
On 7/26/2012 at 1:07 PM, reagansm said:

In some facilities you can get fired for talking about how much you are paid.

That's illegal. Employees cannot get fired (or if they do, they can sue for wrongful termination and will probably win) for discussing salaries with coworkers.

Gah! I fell for it too!

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

Sounds like a clinical ladder that is specific to your facility. Have you asked HR?

Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Those are local designations for your institution's clinical ladder. Ask for a copy.

Specializes in med/surg, psych, public health.

You're welcome. It's a shame that your former co-workers were so nosy about your classification as well as your salary...that is just so rude!

I'm glad to hear you are very happy at your new job!

mizfradd said:
They immediately asked how long I had been a nurse and what I was being paid. Although I had been a nurse for many more years than any of them I had no experience in my new department and they knew I was making significantly more than anyone there.

In some facilities you can get fired for talking about how much you are paid.

On 7/26/2012 at 2:07 PM, reagansm said:

In some facilities you can get fired for talking about how much you are paid.

And that would generally be illegal in the case of probably the majority of people reading this.

https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages

ETA:

UGH. Glad I clarified that 10 years after the fact.  ?‍♂️?

I have to strongly disagree with that Statement, cause if you’re a State Employee, it’s public records. 

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