Institute:Office of National Coordinator (ONC) Workforce Training Curriculum
Component:The Culture of Health Care
Unit:Nursing Care Processes
Lecture:Nursing roles, responsibilities, and work settings
Slide content:Types of Nurses Three general categories of nurses based on education levels: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) Registered nurses (RNs) (most common) Advanced practice nurses (APNs) (most advanced level of responsibility) 7
Slide notes:There are many different types of nurses working in a variety of specialty areas in the United States. In general, most nurses fall into three categories: licensed practical nurse, or LPN [L-P-N], registered nurse, or RN [R-N], and advanced practice nurse, or APN [A-P-N]. Of the three categories, LPNs have the least amount of education. APNs have the greatest amount of education and the most responsibility. For example, APNs can prescribe medications; LPNs and RNs cannot. Most US nurses are RNs. The next slides describe what each type of nurse does, how they are educated, and where they work. 7