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Have you ever wondered what an LPN was… or what BSN means? From now on, when
you hear terms such as "RN," "APNN," or "ANA," you
know where to turn for a quick answer!
A B
C D E F G H I J K L
M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z
Accelerated BSN
This program is for students with a previous Bachelor's degree in a non-nursing
field of study. Accelerated programs are often intense, fast paced courses, but
they can let you earn a BSN in as little as 12-16 months.
Accelerated BSN to PhD
These programs are focused on students who have definite plans for being a researcher
or teacher of nursing in their future. The programs efficiently take you through
a BSN, to an MSN, to a PhD in nursing.
Accelerated MSN
There are two general classes of Accelerated MSN options, depending on whether
or not you already have a Bachelor'sdegree. The so-called "Direct Entry"
or "Graduate Entry" option allows students with a Bachelor'sdegree in
a non-nursing field, who are not registered nurses, to apply directly to the graduate
program. Students save time in earning their MSN both by eliminating the need
for general arts and sciences courses that are a part of traditional BSN programs,
and by accelerating or combining entry level nursing course work required of a
BSN program, with more advanced specialty courses from the Master's program. This
usually saves a year or more of time and programs can be completed in as little
as 3 years.
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ACT Assessment Test
The ACT Assessment ® is designed to assess high school student's general educational
development and their ability to complete college-level work. The tests cover
four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning
APNN
Advanced Practice Neonatal Nurse
The APNN is prepared, according to nationally recognized standards, to assume
this role after completion of an educational program of study and supervised practice
beyond the level of basic nursing.
AALNC
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
The American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants (AALNC) is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the professional enhancement of registered nurses practicing in a
consulting capacity in the legal field. AALNC serves as a resource to its members
and provides a forum for education and the exchange of information among its members.
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ANA
American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association is a full-service professional organization representing
the nation's 2.6 million Registered Nurses through its state associations and
affiliate members. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards
of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the
workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, by lobbying the
Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the
public.
ANCC
American Nurses Credentialing Center
The ANCC is a part of the American Nurses Association that offers generalist,
advanced practice, and clinical specialist exams in almost 30 areas. Certifications
show that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in their field, and can give
them a leg up on career advancement.
ASN
Associate of Science in Nursing
The 2-year Associate Degree focuses more on technical skills than theory. It allows
a student to become a Registered Nurse and earn money more quickly than a 4-year
BSN program.
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BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The 4-year BSN degree (also called a "Prelicensure BSN" program) provides
a wide range of opportunities.
CNM
Certified Nurse Midwives
CNMs are graduates from an educational program accredited by the American College
of Nurse Midwives and they must pass a national examination. They practice at
a hospital or with a physician. Some CNMs attend home births but the majority
of the births they attend happen at hospitals or at birth centers.
CPM
Certified Professional Midwives
A Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) is an independent practitioner who has
met the standard for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives
(NARM) and is qualified to provide the Midwives Model of Care. The CPM credential
requires training in out-of-hospital settings. CPM certification validates entry-level
knowledge, skills, and experience vital to responsible midwifery practice.
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CRNA
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Licensed professionals (RNs) who undergo extensive training, become nationally
certified by exam after graduation and then provide services such as the services
offered by an MD anesthesiologist. CRNAs can be licnesed and practice in all 50
states.
CCT
Critical Care Transport
(I have information on Critical care Nursing, but on on Critical Care Transport)
ND
Doctor of Nursing Programs
Nursing Doctorate (ND) programs are usually 3-5 years of fulltime study, including
summers. While the focus areas of the program will vary by school, the ND degree
generally builds on the role of the advanced practice nurse and is more focused
on developing advanced practice nurse specialist skills. The goal is to prepare
leaders who can affect change through system redesign and evidenced-based decision
making in a variety of clinical, organizational, and educational settings.
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DNS
Doctor of Nursing Science
Graduates of a DNS program are prepared as nurse scientists with the investigative
skills of a researcher and the clinical and leadership skills necessary to influence
the health care system. Health outcomes measurement, health care economics, statistical
analysis, and informatics are common focus areas. A clinical defense and dissertation
are common requirements.
PhD
Doctor of Philosophy Programs
PhD programs prepare nurse scholars and researchers who will contribute to the
growth of nursing science through scholarly research that advances the theoretical
foundation of nursing practice and health care delivery. Graduates will be qualified
to engage in all dimensions of professional and scholarly life, including the
conduct of scholarly inquiry, leadership in health care delivery systems, and
public policy formation.
Doctorate Programs
These programs prepare nurses for careers in health administration (a PhD is the
preferred degree for nursing executives), clinical research, and advanced clinical
practice. The programs take from four to six years to complete. In a doctoral
program everyone receives training in research methods (including statistics and
data analysis), the history and philosophy of nursing science, and in leadership
skills. But it's up to you to focus in on a specific research area for your degree.
Compared to a BSN or MSN, it's important to match your particular interests with
those of a particular faculty member.
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Extended Studies
Also known as "Non-Degreed Studies", or "Non-Matriculated Studies",
these programs offer courses in specialty areas at the Master's level, for students
who are not seeking a degree.
GMAT
Graduate Management Admission Test®
The Graduate Management Admission Test ® helps business schools assess the
qualification of applicants for advanced study in business and management. It
measures basic verbal, quantitative, and writing skills that are developed over
a long period of time and is available year-round at test centers throughout the
world.
GRE
Graduate Record Examinations
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is a multiple-choice admission
test for applicants to graduate school. The test is administered by the Educational
Testing Service (ETS), under the sponsorship of the Graduate Record Examinations
Board. The GRE is a computer-adaptive test (CAT), and consists of three scored
sections: One 30-minute, 30-question Verbal Ability (vocabulary and reading) section;
One 45-minute, 28-question Quantitative Ability (math) section; One 60-minute,
35-question Analytical Ability (games and arguments) section.
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HOBET
Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test
The Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test (HOBET) is for students preparing to
begin formal education in the health occupations. It is designed, primarily, as
a diagnostic instrument to assist health science programs evaluate the academic
skills of new applicants to their programs. Based upon the profile generated by
this test, a program can more objectively screen applicants for admission. The
HOBET carefully evaluates basic operations in mathematics that are essential for
success in health science programs. The HOBET evaluates reading comprehension
at the inferential level for science-related material, and the reading rate estimates
the words per minute that the applicant can read when placed in a test study situation.
LPN
Licensed Practical Nurse
LPNs are licensed to provide practical or vocational nursing care to patients
in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health units, homes, and community health
organizations. They typically work under the supervision of a registered nurse
or physician, and may supervise unlicensed nursing assistants. LPNs may get advanced
credits from some institutions towards their RN coursework.
LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse
In some states such as Texas and California, LPNs are called LVNs. LVNs provide
bedside care to the ill, injured, convalescent and critically injured, at hospitals,
clinics, nursing homes. They work under the supervision of a RN.
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LPN-to-Associates
This is a program designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who wants to earn a degree
that will enable them to sit for the NCLEX Registered Nurse exam. It provides
credit for nursing skills already learned through work experience or an LPN program.
LPN-to-BSN
This program offers the licensed practical nurse or licensed vocational nurse
(LVN) the opportunity to attain the BSN degree in just four academic semesters.
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing
The Board of Registration establishes rules and regulations governing the criteria
for approval of schools for registered and practical nurses. The criteria include
qualification of faculty, requirements for student admission and standards for
school teaching equipment. Students must graduated form a school of nursing approved
by the Board of Registration in Nursing and offer satisfactory proof of "good
moral character" to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensing
Examination (NCLEX).
MNA
Massachusetts Nurses Association
The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) is the largest professional health
care membership organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 20,000
members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing
practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace,
and by lobbying the legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues
affecting nurses and the public. The MNA is also the largest union of registered
nurses in the Commonwealth, providing collective bargaining representation to
over 17,000 nurses in 80 health care facilities.
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MSN
Master of Science in Nursing
A Master's degree is an 18-24 month program that allows a nurse to specialize
in a particular area - such as an area of advanced clinical training or research.
Some students take on joint degrees in related fields like business administration,
public health, or hospital administration.
MSN/MBA
A joint degree program that combines a Master's degree in nursing, with a Master's
in business administration.
MSN/MHA or MSN/HCAD
A joint degree program that combines a Master's degree in nursing, with a Master's
in health administration.
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MSN/MPH
A joint degree program that combines a Master's degree in nursing, with a Master's
in public health.
MSN/PhD Dual Degree
This program is for highly qualified nurses with a Bachelor'sdegree in nursing
who are interested in an intensive, accelerated program simultaneously offering
Master's preparation and advanced research training at the doctoral level. A typical
program takes 5 years to complete. Some schools offer programs for students entering
with a non-nursing Bachelor'sdegree.
NANN
National Association of Neonatal Nurses
NANN represents the community of neonatal nurses that provide evidence-based care
to high-risk neonatal patients. NANN is recognized in the profession as the expert
voice that influences standards of practice through advocacy, collaboration and
leadership.
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NASN
National Association of School Nurses
NASN benefits school nurses by speaking as one voice nationally; by increasing
the visibility of school nursing; by advocating for minimum levels of preparation;
by advocating for manageable nurse to student ratios; and by providing a forum
for discussion of school health issues.
NCLEX
National Council Licensing Examination
Licensure exam for graduates of 4-year BSN programs or 2-year ADN programs; passing
the exam allows you to become an RN or Registered Nurse
NLN
National League of Nursing
The National League of Nursing (NLN) is recognized by the National Commission
on Accrediting as the accrediting agency for Master's, Baccalaureate, Associate
Degree, Diploma and Practical Nursing programs. The NLN is approved for accreditation
of the above nursing programs by the United States Office of Education
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NCNS
Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
Advanced practice option, focusing on the care of neonates ranging from low to
high risk.
NNP
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner who specializes in the care of neonates and their families.
Non-Degree Studies
Also known as "Extended Studies", or "Non-Matriculated Studies",
these programs offer courses in specialty areas at the Master's level, for students
who are not seeking a degree.
Non-Matriculated Studies
Also known as "Non-Degreed Studies" or "Extended Studies",
or these programs offer courses in specialty areas at the Master's level, for
students who are not seeking a degree.
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NARM
North American Registry of Midwives
The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) is an international certification
agency whose mission is to establish and administer certification for the credential
"Certified Professional Midwife" (CPM).
NP
Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner is a registered nurse who has received specialized, advanced
training, usually at a graduate level.
Post-Certificate Masters
In the past, many states allowed RN's to earn certification as nurse anesthetists
(CRNA), Certified Nurse Practitioners, or Nurse-Midwife without earning a Master's
degree. These requirements have generally changed, and some schools offer programs
that allow these certified nurses to earn their Master's degrees while earning
credit for their past educational and work experience. More and more states and
employers are now requiring Master's degrees to allow these certified non-Master's
nurses to practice. In some ways these programs are parallel to the RN-to-BSN
programs, which don't qualify you for any new certifications and licenses, but
which add to your professional credentials and make you more employable.
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Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Professional Certifications are specialized exams that you can take to prove your
expertise in a specific field, beyond the skills required for an RN license. The
exams are provided by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is part
of the American Nurses Association (ANCC). The ANCC offers generalist, advanced
practice, and clinical specialist exams in almost 30 areas. Certifications show
that the nurse has a commitment to excellence in their field, and can give them
a leg up on career advancement. Post-Master's Certificate programs are designed
for nurses who already have a Master of Science degree in nursing who wish to
qualify to sit for one of the certification exams or to expand into a new area
of specialization.
Prelicensure BSN
Same as Bachelor of Science in Nursing-see description above
RN
Registered Nurse
A graduate of a nursing program who has a BSN or an Associate's degree and has
passed the NCLEX-RN licensure exam
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RN-to-BSN
This is a program designed for Registered Nurse who are graduates of associates
degree or diploma programs and want to complete their BSN degree. It provides
credit for nursing skills already learned through school or work experience. Most
often these programs are available with a very flexible schedule designed to meet
the needs of working nurses.
RN-to-MSN
This program is for RNs who have an associate degree in nursing and want to earn
an MSN immediately after earning the BSN. The courses in the program are tailored
to the specific needs of the student so that they receive as much advanced placement
credit for their BSN as possible, and so there's no overlap between their BSN
and MSN courses
SAT
Standard Achievement Test
The SAT is a three-hour exam that measures two sets of skills-verbal and mathematical
reasoning-that you need to do college-level work in any academic area.
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language
The TOEFL ® program provides English proficiency testing services for international
students planning to study in the United States, Canada, or other countries where
English is the language of instruction. Education Testing Service (ETS) develops
the test under the direction of the TOEFL Board, a board comprised of professionals
drawn from the higher education community.
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