Every Nurse Counts: Celebrating the Many Roles of Nurses

Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare. Whether they are administering medication in a hospital, guiding families through hospice care, teaching future nurses, or managing chronic conditions in community clinics, nurses deliver skilled, compassionate care across every setting.

In honor of nurses, we’re celebrating the full spectrum of nursing roles. From LPNs to APRNs, every nurse’s work is essential, and today, we highlight what each role contributes and why every nurse counts.

LPNs: Ground-Level Patient Care Specialists

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) provide fundamental nursing care under the supervision of RNs or physicians. Their work is particularly prominent in long-term care, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics.

What LPNs Do:

• Administer basic medications
• Monitor vital signs
• Assist with wound care
• Support daily living activities
• Document and report patient conditions
• Communicate changes to the healthcare team

LPNs often form the most consistent relationships with patients, providing emotional support and recognizing early signs of clinical deterioration. They are essential in maintaining continuity and quality of care.

Career Growth:
LPNs frequently pursue LPN-to-RN bridge programs, certifications in IV therapy or wound care, and expanded scopes of practice in states like Florida or Texas. Online CEUs and continuing education credits help meet state board of nursing requirements and support upward mobility.

RNs: The Backbone of Clinical Care

Registered Nurses (RNs) are highly skilled clinicians who assess patients, administer complex treatments, educate families, and coordinate care across teams. They are present in nearly every healthcare setting.

What RNs Do:

• Perform patient assessments
• Develop and evaluate care plans
• Administer IV therapy, medications, and advanced procedures
• Collaborate with physicians and specialists
• Supervise LPNs and unlicensed assistive personnel
• Lead patient education and discharge planning

Whether in acute care, home health, public health, or telemedicine, RNs are central to safe, effective care.

Continuing Education:
RNs must complete continuing education units (CEUs) to maintain licensure and competency. CE Ready’s online continuing education courses cover everything from delegation and ethics to emerging trends in nursing practice.

APRNs: Independent and Specialized Leaders

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) include Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives, Clinical Nurse Specialists, and Nurse Anesthetists. These nurses have advanced clinical training and often serve in leadership, diagnostic, and prescriptive roles.

What APRNs Do:

• Diagnose and treat illness
• Prescribe medications
• Conduct advanced assessments
• Coordinate complex care
• Provide specialty services in areas such as mental health, anesthesia, or maternal care
• Serve as primary care providers in many states

APRNs are vital to addressing provider shortages and improving access to healthcare in both rural and urban settings.

Practice Authority:
In over 25 states, APRNs have full practice authority, allowing them to work independently without physician supervision. In other states, collaborative agreements are still required.

Education and Compliance:
APRNs must maintain both RN and APRN licenses and associated CEUs as well as fulfill controlled substance CEU requirements.

Nurse Educators: Training the Future

Nurse educators work in academic institutions, hospitals, and continuing education programs to prepare and support the next generation of nurses.

What Nurse Educators Do:

• Develop and deliver nursing curriculum
• Facilitate clinical training and simulations
• Support professional development for staff
• Mentor new nurses and preceptors
• Stay current on educational standards and certification requirements

Why It Matters:
Without educators, there would be no pipeline of new nurses. These professionals shape both competence and confidence in learners and serve as a source of long-term inspiration.

Nurses in Transition: Embracing the Pivot

One of nursing’s greatest strengths is career flexibility. Nurses can shift between specialties and settings, balancing evolving personal interests, family responsibilities, and wellness.

Common Career Pivots Include:

• LPN → RN
• RN → Nurse Educator
• ED Nurse → Primary Care
• Acute Care → Case Management
• APRN → Clinic Owner or Consultant

Nurses don’t always follow a straight path — and that’s okay. In fact, the ability to pivot is part of what makes this profession so resilient.

Why Every Role Matters

Each role contributes uniquely:

None of these roles replace another, they complement and strengthen the system as a whole.

Voices From the Field

Jasmine, LPN in Florida:
“I know my residents better than anyone. When something feels off, I speak up, and I’m usually right.”

Carlos, RN in Texas:
“Sometimes I’m a clinician, sometimes I’m a counselor. Being adaptable is part of being a great nurse.”

Aisha, APRN in Georgia:
“I love the autonomy of being a nurse practitioner. It allows me to care for the whole patient, not just the symptom.”Monica, Nurse Educator in California:
“My students remind me why I became a nurse in the first place. I love seeing them grow into confident professionals.”