What Are the Career Levels of Nursing?
Nursing offers diverse career levels, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide basic patient care and support. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) perform essential medical tasks under supervision. Registered nurses (RNs) coordinate patient care, administer treatments and educate patients. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including nurse practitioners, diagnose and treat patients independently. Nurse leaders, educators and researchers contribute to healthcare advancements and policy. Each nursing level requires different education and training, offering opportunities for growth and specialization.
In This Article:
What Are the Different Types of Nursing?
The field of nursing encompasses various specialties, each focusing on different aspects of patient care. Some key types include:
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
One of the types of nursing careers is certified nursing assistant (CNA), also known as a nursing aide. CNAs assist nurses in the daily activities of patient care. They work closely with all medical staff and patients.
CNAs may bathe patients, help them get dressed, feed them and help them move around. They may also check vital signs and help patients in and out of beds and wheelchairs.
To become a CNA, you’ll need to pass a state-approved nursing assistant education program. Typically, these programs include classroom education and supervised clinical experience. CNAs may also need a state-issued certification or license, although requirements vary by state.1
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) may also be known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). LPNs have a greater scope of responsibility than CNAs, although they still work under the supervision of a registered nurse.
An LPN can administer basic healthcare in the form of tasks like taking blood pressure and changing bandages. Like a CNA, they can also assist patients with the activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing and dressing. An LPN can also communicate with patients about the plan of care following a medical visit or procedure, as well as document care to maintain records.
LPNs must complete a state-approved educational program. They must then obtain their license by passing the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN). After that, they have the option of earning additional certifications to specialize in areas such as IV therapy, childbirth or care of patients with disabilities.2
Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered nurses (RNs) play significant roles in patient care. Their responsibilities include:
- Recording medical histories
- Monitoring symptoms
- Setting up and operating medical equipment
- Administering medications and other treatments
- Collaborating with other healthcare providers on patient care plans
- Supervising LPNs and CNA
- Delivering patient education
Either of two educational paths can lead to becoming an RN. The first begins with earning an associate degree in nursing. The second begins with earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).3 With a BSN, nurses may later pursue educational advancement through graduate education.
After earning a nursing degree, aspiring registered nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN and complete any additional state-specific requirements to obtain a license.3
Once on the job, RNs gain a specific area of healthcare delivery, such as cardiac care, medical/surgical care, public health or intensive care. RNs can further specialize by obtaining a certification in a nursing specialty such as wound care, home healthcare or telehealth.
According to the BLS, RNs in all specialty areas earned a median annual salary of $86,070 as of May 2023.4
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Experienced nurses can earn their master's degrees and become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).5 Advanced degrees give nurses the option to work with greater autonomy and serve as mentors and nurse leaders. APRNs can diagnose and treat conditions and refer patients to specialists.
To become an APRN, a nurse must first become an RN. The next step is to choose a specialty to pursue, which may include additional requirements such as clinical experience or certification. After earning a graduate degree in nursing, aspiring APRNs must then pass a board certification exam in their specialty and obtain a state-issued APRN license.5
According to the BLS, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners made a median annual wage of $129,480 as of May 2023.6
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
A nurse practitioner can practice with greater autonomy than an RN. They can perform patient assessments, diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses, administer medications and vaccinations, analyze x-rays and deliver patient education. An NP can assist patients with both acute and chronic medical issues.
NPs may choose to specialize further, such as in adult-gerontology or primary care. Pediatrics and psych mental health are other specialty areas to consider.
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
A CNM specializes in women’s healthcare and may work with patients from adolescence through menopause. A CNM may provide:
- Family planning services
- Prenatal and postnatal care
- Care during labor and childbirth, including performing episiotomies, providing pain management and delivering the newborn
- Infant care education
- Breastfeeding support
- Preventive health screenings
- Gynecological care
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
A CNS can diagnose and treat patients across the lifespan, as well as specialty populations across a continuum of care. Clinical nurse specialists are nurse leaders who not only provide direct patient care but also work to improve patient outcomes. They can accomplish this by effecting change on an organizational level, such as by advocating for better policies, implementing evidence-based practice and optimizing nursing practice.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
CRNAs are responsible for administering anesthesia and other pain medicines to patients and monitoring their health before, during and after surgery. Their scope of practice includes:
- Patient assessments
- Anesthesia administration
- Vital signs monitoring
- Pain management
- Patient recovery monitoring
It’s important to note that a CRNA is not the same as an anesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist is a medical doctor, whereas a CRNA is a nurse anesthetist.
Director of Nursing (DON)
Within the different nursing levels, there are also opportunities away from the bedside. If you think you might like to move away from providing direct patient care, you might consider a role in healthcare administration. One option is the role of director of nursing.
The director of nursing plays an important role in impacting nursing practice and the patient experience. They are responsible for making decisions regarding budgeting, hiring, departmental goals and the implementation of new policies or procedures. Directors of nursing act as a liaison between different departments, listening to the concerns of the nursing staff and ensuring standards are fulfilled.
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
A chief nursing officer is a member of the C-suite in a healthcare organization. They typically occupy the most advanced role for nurses working in administration.
A CNO’s primary job is to advance the quality of healthcare delivered by the organization. The CNO must also ensure that all operations are aligned with the organization’s mission and values and that they are in compliance with applicable regulations. CNOs are also involved with financial forecasting, staff and patient engagement and budgeting.
Earn Your Nursing Degree From GCU
GCU offers a wide range of nursing programs for various levels of nursing. Future nurses just starting out can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Those looking to take their nursing careers to the next level can advance from an RN to a BSN. Those looking to become advanced practice registered nurses may explore graduate degree options.
To learn more about nursing programs offered by the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, fill out the form on this page and speak with a university counselor.
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Nursing Assistant or Orderly. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Feb. 19, 2025.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Licensed Practical or Licensed Vocational Nurse. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Feb. 19, 2025.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Registered Nurse. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Feb. 19, 2025.
4 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Registered Nurses as of May 2023, retrieved on Feb. 19, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Registered Nurses, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, Aug. 29). How To Become a Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or Nurse Practitioner. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Feb. 19, 2025.
6 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners as of May 2023, retrieved on Feb. 19, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Approved and verified accurate by the associate dean of the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions on March 24, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
