Careers in nursing

Nursing careers at Allina

Advanced practice photo Allina Hospital & Clinics offer professional opportunities for:

Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Certified medical assistant (CMA)
Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
Registered nurse (RN)
Advanced practice nurse

Career overview

Certified nursing assistant (NA) helps patients with eating, dressing, bathing, exercising, and walking. Nursing assistants clean rooms and change beds. They work under the direction of nurses and doctors

Certified medical assistant (CMA) takes medical histories and record patients' weight, pulse rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. They explain treatments to patients and prepare them for the exam. Assistants help the doctor during the exam by handing the doctor materials and preparing medications.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN) works under the direction of a doctor or registered nurse. Most LPNs provide basic care to patients. They answer patients' calls and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.

Opportunities for

Registered nurse (RN) works to promote health and to help patients cope with illness. Nurses work with patients in hospitals, in doctors' offices, and in nursing homes. They work in public health facilities such as government agencies and schools. They also take care of patients in their homes as they recover from illness or accidents. Nurses have a large variety of tasks they can perform. However, the work setting usually determines their daily duties.

Advanced practice nurse serves as primary and specialty care providers, providing a blend of nursing and health care services to patients and families.

Earnings and employment outlook

Salaries for certified nursing assistants vary. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
Salaries for certified medical assistants vary. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
Salaries for licensed practical nurses vary depending on experience and whether you work in a hospital setting, clinic setting or other environment. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
Salaries for registered nurses vary depending on experience and whether you work in a hospital setting, clinic setting or other environments. For more detailed information go to US Department of Labor Statistics
Salaries for advanced practice nurses: Full-time salary at entry level for a nurse practitioner is approximately $87,150. (Per US Dept of Labor Statistics and salary.com). Salaries for clinical nurse specialist vary by experience, specialty and location.

Education

For more information go to How to choose a health care program.

Certified nursing assistant (NA) - HS graduate or GED, successful completion of nursing assistant program or RN/LPN student with 1 semester of clinical experience in school.
Certified medical assistant(CMA) - requires certification by AAMA (American Association of Medical Assistants)
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) - requires a degree from a practical nursing program
Registered nurse (RN) - requires an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor's negree in nursing (BSN or BAN), post-baccalaureate degree in nursing, or master's in nursing (MN)
Advanced practice nurse - requires RN license, master's degree in nursing (MSN), and nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) certification.