Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
LPNs complete a practical nursing education program. These programs combine general education courses with the nursing curriculum, and are usually one year in length. Most programs award a Certificate upon completion, which may make the person eligible to take the NCLEX®-PN, and be issued a license as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Alabama.
LPNs are employed in hospitals, offices, clinics, home health, occupational health, and correctional institutions. LPNs work under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Physician, or Dentist, and may perform skills, such as medication administration and treatments as ordered, and participate in the assessment process.
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs complete a registered nursing education program that is usually associated with a college or university, and requires at least two years of specific nursing education. General education courses are also required, and upon completion of all required courses, the student is awarded an Associate or Bachelor Degree. Completion of the registered nursing educational program may make the person eligible to take the NCLEX®-RN, and be issued a license to practice as a professional nurse in Alabama.
RNs are employed in hospitals, offices, clinics, surgery centers, schools, home health, hospice, occupational health, & correctional institutions. RNs perform comprehensive nursing assessments to determine needs for nursing care, participate in the delivery of nursing care, and supervise care provided by LPNs and non-licensed workers. RNs implement medical regimens, including medication administration and treatments.
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)APNs are Registered Nurses (RN) who have completed additional nursing education in order to practice in an advanced practice role. Certification in a national specialty is a requirement for approval to be issued as an APN in Alabama. APNs may have completed a Masters, Post-Masters, or a Doctoral degree program. They may have a minimum of about six years of education. Often, the Graduate Degree program is completed during or after gaining practice experience as an RN. Completion of the graduate program prepares the nurse to take the national certification exam for their specialty.
APN categories include: Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP); Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM); and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). APNs often provide health care in under-served areas, but may also be found in busy urban areas. APNs are employed in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, offices & clinics, surgery centers, & home health. APNs perform skills commensurate with their specialty Graduate nursing education and training.
Note: An APN may also be referred to as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
Alabama Graduate Nursing Programs
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP)
CRNPs are Registered Nurses (RNs) who have completed either a Masters or Doctoral degree program, and have clinical and classroom training beyond the scope of their initial training as an RN.
CRNPs in Alabama may perform diagnostic exams, order laboratory and other diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and other aspects of care within their specialty area. CRNPs must also practice in collaboration with a licensed physician in Alabama. CRNPs may be employed in a variety of settings: primary care and specialty clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and home care agencies. CRNPs may practice in medically underserved areas that do not have full time services of a physician.
CRNPs may be certified by a national certifying body in at least one of 8 defined areas of focus.
These areas are:
- Family/Individual across the life span;
- Adult-gerontology, primary care;
- Adult-gerontology, acute care;
- Neonatal;
- Pediatrics, primary care;
- Pediatrics, acute care;
- Women’s health/gender related;
- Psychiatric/mental health.
Alabama Graduate Nursing Programs
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)CRNAs are Registered Nurses (RNs) who have completed either a Masters or Doctoral degree program, and have clinical and classroom training beyond the scope of their initial training as an RN.
CRNAs conduct a patient assessment prior to surgery or a procedure that evaluates all aspects of the patient’s health status during any procedure requiring anesthesia. Some of the assessments include the determination, preparation, administration, or monitoring of medications used before, during, and after the surgery or procedure. CRNAs function under the direction of a physician or dentist, and are involved in the care of patients throughout the operative or procedural period.
CRNAs practice in accordance with both RN standards and the standards identified by the national certifying body, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). CRNAs may be the sole source of anesthesia services in some rural and medically underserved areas.
Alabama Graduate Nursing Programs
AANA Patient Resources
CRNA Information
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Pamphlet
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Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)CNMs are Registered Nurses (RNs) who have completed either a Masters or Doctoral degree program, and have clinical and classroom training beyond the scope of their initial training as an RN.
CNMs in Alabama may perform diagnostic exams, order laboratory and other diagnostic tests, prescribe medications, and other aspects of care relative to the management of women’s healthcare focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the post-partum period, care of the newborn, family planning, and gynecological needs of women and their partners. CNMs teach individuals and families in self-care, illness prevention, health maintenance, and health restoration. CNMs must also practice in collaboration with a licensed physician in Alabama. CNMs may be employed in a variety of settings: primary care and specialty clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and home care agencies. CNMs may practice in medically underserved areas that do not have full time services of a physician.
CNMs practice in accordance with both RN standards and the standards identified by the national specialty-certifying agency, American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).
Alabama Graduate Nursing Programs
AMCB Consumer Resources
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)CNSs are Registered Nurses (RNs) who have completed either a Masters or Doctoral degree program, and have clinical and classroom training beyond the scope of their initial training as an RN.
CNSs perform advanced nursing skills in a specialized area of practice and often provide direct patient care. CNSs conduct comprehensive and holistic wellness and illness assessments to aid in patient care and improve patient outcomes. CNSs evaluate potential risks to patient safety and assess the impact of environmental and system factors on care.
CNSs practice in accordance with both RN standards and the standards identified by the national specialty-certifying agency. Some CNS specialties include:
- Adult Health
- Acute and Critical Care
- Gerontology
- Public/Community Health
- Adult Psychiatric-Mental Health
- Child/Adolescent Psychiatric-Mental Health
- Pediatric