There are some key differences between the care a nurse provides compared to that of a caregiver. The details of the job are even different, pointing to a much more involved way of handling different types of patients. If you’re looking for a change, there is skilled nursing available here. But before taking the plunge, take the time to learn why a nurse is a better choice for the type of care you want.
Education
Formal training is required to become a nurse, and it starts with a GED or high school diploma. Both of these don’t even cover the bare minimum, and instead serve as one of the prerequisites before getting a degree. Since there are different degrees attached to being a nurse, a field of study is one of the most important things in early education before settling into a position. Most nurses have at least a bachelor’s degree before they are considered a full-on registered nurse. This varies by region and company, but a nurse with a bachelor’s degree is a safe bet for similar positions with the same qualifications.
Training
A caregiver can replace the educational requirements of a nurse with training requirements. In fact, the training is the most important part of being a caregiver. The basics cover CPR and emergency preparation, with that alone covering the bare minimum across several companies. For a nurse, the training is just as important as the educational component. They often intersect, with the almost 100 hours of training covering many of the complex professional situations a nurse is expected to navigate on their own. A nurse is often more self-sufficient when put in an emergency situation where they are the only professional in the area.
Job Duties
This is where the two positions really pull away from one another. It can be confusing when putting both side by side, especially with a lot of the duties overlapping. Keep in mind that these job duties change based on company, care provided, and the amount of assistance needed. Consider normal tasks the basics for both positions. The difference here is that a nurse can provide medical care to clients in an official capacity. This is beyond CPR and is the necessary information a doctor would need to help with an official diagnosis. A lot of the monitoring tools used by a nurse is not available to caregivers without a license.
Responsibilities
The level of responsibilities that a nurse takes on can be dizzying at first glance. A good nurse takes an investigative direction when dealing with clients. They have to pay close attention to the personality of the person they are caring for, watching for changes that are not conveyed verbally. When broken down into categories, a nurse handles the mental, physical and emotional state of every client they deal with. A caregiver only takes on a fraction of these responsibilities due to the medical restrictions of the position. In short, a nurse is licensed to do more for a client than a caregiver.
Work Choices
A nurse will have more opportunities for work than a caregiver. By being a nurse, they gain the additional benefit of being able to craft their career from the very start. That is why the initial training is important to students that take this professional path. A caregiver has less options professionally, but not to a fault. Caregivers are sought after by families that want a worker for a family member but don’t require the medical expertise of a nurse. So, while the caregiver has less opportunities with bigger companies, they don’t suffer to find work in other areas. A caregiver is more of a freelancer when compared to a nurse in an official position.
Degree Choices
The degree choices for a nurse are thorough, and well thought out. It shows a singular focus to professionalism and excellence that starts with early training. Some of the more common programs are LPN (Licensed practical nurse), ADN (Associate degree in nursing) and BSN (Bachelor’s degree in nursing). Further education can lead to a master’s degree in nursing, something that a lot of students aspire to. But the crown jewel is the DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) degree, which is the prize after several years of hard work and study. Pay for professionals with DNP degrees is high, and continues to rise in several countries.
The Requirements for Both Are Different
The requirements for a nurse and a caregiver are a long and seemingly endless list. Up to this point, the nursing position has been giving a clear identity for taking care of clients. For a caregiver, the requirements for caretaking can be summarized as hands on assistance. Daily and nightly tasks are handled by a caregiver to cover for capabilities the client lacks. This includes meal preparedness, baths, dressing, transportation and even housekeeping duties. To take it a step further, a caregiver can also help with social activities and companionship. Some of these duties can be performed by a nurse, but it is not considered the core of their general profession.
Some States May Affect Caregiver Capabilities
Now this is where it gets really interesting for caregivers that have multiple years of experience. A nurse with experience has more professional clout than a caregiver. The laws are set up in a way that some states put larger restrictions on a caregiver’s capabilities and responsibilities compared to the ones in place for a nurse. The general duties of a nurse are well documented, and technically the same (mandated) across several states. A nurse can move from state to state with their profession and suffer only minor consequences in restrictions. At most, a retraining is required to get up to speed with a new state’s general guidelines. All states view caregivers differently, and that means the standard is always a moving line. For a caregiver, knowing which state favors their services more becomes an important part of staying employed longer.
A Rundown Of What A Nurse Offers
When you want skilled medical care, a nurse is the best choice. They are licensed for therapy, injections, skilled care, prescription administering and many other top-level duties. Their monitoring abilities are second to none, and can help when making a long-term diagnosis. This is an important feature for clients that are recovering from a serious injury and need very specific care. A nurse can go anywhere to do their job, including making house calls. You’ll often find them in hospitals, urgent care, memory care centers, senior living communities or assisted living residences. A nurse can report directly to a primary care doctor with important health information.
A Rundown Of What A Caregiver Offers
A caregiver is more of a hands-on personal assistant that helps with normal daily and nightly activities. They handle things that a client is not capable of handling themselves. Much of the personal care that is impossible after an injury can be handled by a caregiver. Even minor tasks like shopping can be handled by this profession. Seniors that value independent living can rely on a caregiver to give them space while helping out when needed. It is a big difference in attitude that doesn’t take agency away from seniors that are still active.
Does A Nurse Have More Responsibilities?
Yes, and it shows with the major difference in pay between a nurse and a caregiver. There are countless opportunities for a nurse to grow within their field. With continuing education options, salary continues to rise and employment opportunities get better. Getting promoted as a nurse is more viable since the bump in pay and responsibility is substantial. Promotional bumps for a caregiver are handled differently, and specific work assignments may not even have room for growth. You gain more freedom from being a caregiver but lose the chance to grow within the industry. A nurse with good education and multiple years of training is always highly sought after, with employees more than willing to pay for extra training.
Career Trends For A Nurse Compared To A Caregiver
As the industry continues to change, the career trends for a nurse are becoming more open. The freedom given to a caregiver is starting to transition over to nursing opportunities. With a nurse getting good pay and having a more flexible schedule, it is an attractive position for anyone looking to get into the medical industry. It is a respected degree worldwide, with many technical innovations making the job more accessible to curious students. Nursing is as in demand now as it was many years ago, and that won’t change anytime soon. The nursing programs provided by schools and universities are constantly changing to accommodate new students.
Wrap Up
Both positions work hard to serve the consumer to the best of their abilities. If you’re interested in either field, it is sure to be fulfilling. At some point everyone needs help in life, even when they’re still somewhat capable. It’s nice to have choices in more than one field that has the consumers best interests at heart.
