Qualifications and Scope of Practice
Nursing is a broad field that includes nurse assistants or aides -- some of whom are certified nurse aides -- licensed practical and vocational nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses. Nurse aides have the least education, least responsibility and most restricted scope of practice. Advanced practice nurses have a very broad scope of practice and perform physician functions. Nurse aides and LPNs must function under the supervision of an RN or physician and cannot practice independently. RNs are independent in some nursing functions, while APNs may be completely independent in some states.