Nursing vs. Healthcare Administration
What's the Difference?

医疗保健职业，包括护理和医疗管理，需求量很大. 事实上，根据美国劳工部的数据，预计医疗保健行业将比任何其他职业群体增加更多的就业机会 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Does working in a healthcare setting, either directly with patients or behind the scenes, interest you? If so, 了解护士和医疗保健管理人员的不同教育途径和职业机会，看看哪一个最适合你，这是值得的.

Nursing: your many career pathways

There are different pathways to becoming a nurse. Some nurses start out as certified nursing assistants (CNAs). 作为CNA，您可以在医疗保健环境中获得入门级经验. To become certified as a CNA, you’ll be required to complete some training, 但是你不需要从护理助理开始你的护理事业. Students new to nursing may also choose to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN).

LPNs and RNs have unique roles and responsibilities in patient care, with RNs adopting a broader scope of practice. Nurses can begin their career as an LPN, work towards an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing, and become an RN. 你不需要在注册护士之前成为一名LPN -你可以在没有任何LPN或CNA经验的情况下参加护理学位课程.

What do CNAs, LPNs and RNS do?

这些类型的护士在病人护理中承担着各种各样的角色和责任:

• CNAs help patients with basic living activities such as bathing, getting dressed, using the toilet, eating and drinking. 他们还可以测量生命体征，如血压或体温.
• lpn与注册护士密切合作，通常比注册护士有更广泛的实践范围，这取决于国家, including collecting patient data, assisting with medical procedures, changing bandages, or inserting IVs.
• RNs assist with more advanced day-to-day tasks, including providing medical instructions, administering medication, 监测病人的进展，并在医生和病人之间进行沟通.

Advanced nursing roles

There are many opportunities in nursing beyond RN. 寻求在医疗保健业务中发挥更大作用的护士或希望从全职病人护理过渡到护理管理职位, administration, or public health. 这些专业人员结合了管理和临床护理专业知识，在帮助医疗保健组织改善医疗保健服务方面变得非常有价值.

护士也可以考虑扮演教育工作者或执业护士的角色. 执业护士(NP)是直接与病人打交道的高级执业护士, but has greater roles and responsibilities than a registered nurse. There are many types of NP specialties, including:

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). 这些高级护士为所有年龄的患者提供初级和专科护理, from pediatric to adults. 他们检查、诊断问题，并为个人制定治疗计划. fnp还向患者传授疾病预防和保健知识，并向专家推荐. FNPs often work in a variety of environments, including hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, and even health insurance organizations.
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). These NPs specialize in mental illness and psychiatric disorders, 为患有抑郁症等疾病的患者提供全面护理, anxiety, insomnia and much more.

Nurse educators work in clinical or academic environments (sometimes both), tasked with training the next generation of nurses.

Educational options and requirements

To become an RN you will need to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which can take approximately 2-3 years (sometimes less). We now offer an online BSN program for students without RN experience, 包括临床和密集的经验，旨在帮助你在你的第一份注册护士工作之前获得实际的工作经验.

Becoming an LPN requires earning a diploma in practical nursing, which typically takes about 1 year. Herzing为刚接触护理的学生和在职护士提供了许多学位选择, whether you are considering going from LPN to BSN or RN to BSN. CNAs looking to expand their knowledge and go from CNA to RN can consider either the ASN or BSN programs.

To qualify for advanced roles in nursing, you’ll need to become a registered nurse (RN), earn your BSN or similar degree, and gain work experience. You can also earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and/or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) 最好能胜任高级护理工作，如执业护士, nurse educator or nurse manager/administrator.

护理代表了一个广泛的领域，如果你选择追求它，它确实提供了强调医疗保健行政方面的机会.

Healthcare Administration: Career Possibilities

医疗保健管理包括医疗保健交付过程中各种各样的幕后角色, including billing and coding, the maintenance of medical records, secretarial and bookkeeping duties, and upper-level roles in management and administration. 

作为医疗保健管理员，您可以做的最重要的事情之一是确保您运行一个组织良好的设施, for your patients and your staff. As a healthcare administrator, 你将需要领导和监督技能来管理范围广泛的幸运28计划和人员. You must be able to also coordinate an array of services, as well as budgets, to ensure patients and the organization are getting good value.

While healthcare administrators typically work in hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes, they may also work in school districts or teaching hospitals.

Healthcare Administration educational requirements

Healthcare administrators may begin in entry-level healthcare roles, such as medical secretary or office assistant. A medical office administration or healthcare administration program provides basic foundational knowledge about medical terminology, health policies and procedures, and information about patient privacy rules such as HIPAA. 这种全面的教育背景可以为你在医院的初级职位做准备, clinics, or nursing homes.

After gaining experience, you can pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Administration, which can help you continue to advance your career. 这为学生在医疗保健金融领域提供了更有针对性的教育, medical ethics, human resources and more.

医疗保健管理侧重于单个部门和预算, day-to-day operations, and staffing, with titles include:

• Clinic Director
• Hospice Care Director
• Health Services Manager
• Practice Administrator
• Medical Records Manager
• Practice or Office Manager

适用于希望晋升到更高级别职位的医疗保健管理员或管理人员, such as vice president, chief operating officer, or executive, a master’s degree in healthcare administration or a Master’s in Business Administration can be beneficial. 

Build your career path in healthcare

Healthcare jobs are in demand and growing. Whether you would like to work directly with patients as a nurse, 或者作为医疗保健管理员提供更多的幕后管理, you can have a positive impact on many lives.