1. Certified Medical Assistant
Support position in allied health
Training obtained at a junior college or trade school (or MHS CTE!)
Training is 9-12 months and can cost anywhere from $2500 to $12000
Must pass certification for AAMA, hold a BLS provider card and other certs required by employer
Typically works in a doctors office, hospital, clinic, nursing home or home health
Annual salary average in Texas is $29,100
Job duties include vital signs, medication administration including injections, medical records, medical test preparation and other duties as assigned by a doctor

2. Certified nursing assistant
Theraputic care giver for the elderly and disabled
Training obtained at a junior college, trade school, nursing home or MHS CTE!
Training is 6-9 weeks on average and can cost $900-$2200
Must pass the Texas Nurse Aid exam to become certified
Typically works in a Skilled Nursing Facility, nursing home or home health agency
Annual salary in Texas averages $25,710
Job duties include basic care, wound care, assist with activities of daily living including feeding and cleaning, dressing, and moving around

3. SO, you want to be a nurse?

4. Licensed vocational nurse (LVN)
Also called an LPN in every state except Texas and California
The LVN is a basic trained nurse
Training is almost exclusively limited to junior college programs although some trade schools offer programs
Training is typically 1 year if prerequisites are met and can cost around $3000
Must pass the NCLEX-PN
Average salary in Texas is $39,510
Job duties include personal care, vitals, wound care, assisting RN and MD and other bedside care. Some may draw blood and administer basic tests

5. Associates degree registered nurse (ADN-RN)
A registered nurse is responsible for all aspects of patient care as ordered by a doctor
Training is exclusive to a community college
ADN is a 2 year program after completion of pre-requisites and acceptance and can cost around $6000
Must pass the NCLEX exam and hold BLS and other specialty certifications
Can work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, private agencies, the government and in any other healthcare related setting
Average salary in Texas is $67,490 plus shift differentials and stipends
Can perform any nursing care, testing, procedure, medication administration and bedside care as approved by a doctor through direct order or protocol

6. Bachelor of science registered nurse (BSN-RN)
A registered nurse responsible for all aspects of patient care including advanced care as directed by a physician
Training is exclusive to a 4 year university with a nursing program
BSN is a 4 year program, or 2 years after completion of an ADN and can cost $13- 30,000
BSN must also pass the NCLEX unless already certified as an RN
Can work anywhere an RN can, but BSN is recommended in ER, OR, ICU and L&D due to hospital funding called “magnet status”
Salary average in Texas is $75,484 with shift differentials and stipends

7. Master science nurse and specialist
Nurse manager – BSN + 2 years. Costs is about $14,000
Nurse managers run a department or hospital and are mostly administration
Average Salary is $70,000 – 119,000
Nurse Practitioner – BSN + 3 years. Cost is about $20,000
Can operate as a primary care provider with a doctor oversite. Can write some prescriptions, but needs a doctor to approve.
Average salary is $77,000 – 112,000
Advanced Nurse practitioner – BSN + 4 years. Cost is about $25,000
Can operate as an advanced provider as an emergency, family, pediatric or neonatal practictioner with minimal doctor over site
Average Salary is $80-120,000

8. Certified Nurse Midwife
Assists with pregnancy and delivery of a baby without OB/GYN oversite
Gives an all natural childbirth process
Has OB/GYN affiliation, just in case
BSN + 3 years. Cost is $18,000
Salary can be $80-150,000 depending on number of paients

9. Certified registered nurse anesthesiologist
BSN + 4 years. Cost of education is about $50,000
Stands in for anesthesiologist during surgery and procedures. Administers pain control, paralytics, watches vitals, keeps patients asleep but alive.
This is the most competitive nursing education available.
Salary ranges from $ ,000 annual. Success rates are very low.

10. What can an RN specialize in?
ER, Trauma, Psychiatry, Labor and Delivery, Antepartum, Postpartum, Neonatal, Pediatrics, Cardiology, Cardiac Testing, Neurology, Endocrinology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Opthalmology, Clinical Lab Sciences, Ortho and Periodontics, ENT, Gastroentestinal, Urology, Gynecology, Podiatry, Dermatology, Reproduction, Blood, Forensics, Hospice, Infectious Diseases, Home Health, Critical Care (ICU), Wound care, and countless other specialties.
How do you specialize? GET THE JOB!
GET all of the required certifications before you apply!!!!

11. Alternative certifications
Basic Life Support (CPR)
Neonatal Rescucsitation Practices
STABLE (Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab Work, Emotional Support)
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
Advanced Burn Life Support
International Trauma Life Support
Electrocardiogram Technician
Phlebotomist Certification
Respiratory Technician
Pain Control Specialist
First Aid – Whatever makes YOU STAND OUT!!!