162 terms

Career Glossary: Terms Starting With N

Plain-English definitions of job terms that start with N, each linked to the career that uses it.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
N-1 Power Dispatcher
Planning for one element failing. More power dispatcher terms
NAAB Architect
Architecture program accreditor. More architect terms
NAAB Architecture Professor
Architecture accreditation board. More architecture professor terms
NAC Fire Alarm Technician
Notification appliance circuit. More fire alarm technician terms
Nacelle Wind Turbine Technician
The housing on top of the tower containing the gearbox, generator and controls. More wind turbine technician terms
NAGPRA Archaeologist
Native American graves law. More archaeologist terms
Nail art Nail Technician
Designs on nails. More nail technician terms
Nail bed Nail Technician
Skin under the nail. More nail technician terms
Nail quick Animal Caretaker
The blood supply in nails. More animal caretaker terms
Nameplate Electric Motor Repairer
Motor specifications plate. More electric motor repairer terms
Nanomaterial Materials Scientist
Material at nanoscale. More materials scientist terms
Nap Garment Presser
Raised fabric surface. More garment presser terms
Nap direction Textile Cutting Machine Operator
Pile direction. More textile cutting machine operator terms
Nap log Childcare Worker
A record of sleep times. More childcare worker terms
NAPLEX Pharmacist
North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. More pharmacist terms
Narcotic count LPN
A shift-change count of controlled substances done by two nurses. More licensed practical nurse terms
NASP School Psychologist
National Association of School Psychologists. More school psychologist terms
National lab Physicist
Government research lab. More physicist terms
National Register Historian
List of historic places. More historian terms
Native plants Landscape Architect
Plants native to a region. More landscape architect terms
Navigation channel Bridge Tender
Marked waterway. More bridge tender terms
NBCRNA CRNA
National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. More nurse anesthetist terms
NCAA Sports Coach
National Collegiate Athletic Association. More sports coach terms
NCCAOM Acupuncturist
National certifying body. More acupuncturist terms
NCCI edits Medical Coder
National Correct Coding Initiative rules that prevent improper code combinations. More medical billing and coding specialist terms
NCIC 911 Dispatcher
National Crime Information Center database. More 911 dispatcher terms
NCIDQ Interior Designer
National Council for Interior Design Qualification. More interior designer terms
NCLEX Nursing Instructor
Nursing licensure exam. More nursing instructor terms
NCLEX-PN LPN
National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses. More licensed practical nurse terms
NCLEX-RN RN
The National Council Licensure Examination that registered nurses must pass to become licensed. More registered nurse terms
NCR QC Inspector
Nonconformance report. More quality control inspector terms
NCSP School Psychologist
National certification. More school psychologist terms
NDC Pharmacy Technician
National Drug Code: the unique 10- or 11-digit identifier for a drug product. More pharmacy technician terms
NDT Aircraft Mechanic
Non-destructive testing, such as eddy current or dye penetrant inspection. More aircraft mechanic terms
Near-miss Safety Specialist
An event that could have caused injury but didn’t. More occupational safety specialist terms
Near-miss Safety Technician
An event that could have caused injury but didn’t. More safety technician terms
Neat Bartender
Spirit served without ice. More bartender terms
Nebulizer Respiratory Therapist
A device that turns liquid medicine into a mist to inhale. More respiratory therapist terms
NEC Electrician
The National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), the standard for safe electrical installation adopted by most U.S. jurisdictions. More electrician terms
NEC Electrician Helper
National Electrical Code. More electrician helper terms
NEC Electrical Drafter
National Electrical Code. More electrical drafter terms
NEC Electrical Engineer
National Electrical Code. More electrical engineer terms
Neckline Barber
The hairline at the back of the neck. More barber terms
Needs analysis Training and Development Manager
Finding skill gaps. More training and development manager terms
Needs assessment Corporate Trainer
Identifying skill gaps. More corporate trainer terms
Needs assessment Health Educator
Identifying a community’s needs. More health educator terms
Needs assessment Community Service Manager
Identifying community needs. More social and community service manager terms
Needs assessment Extension Educator
Finding community needs. More extension educator terms
Negative Photo Lab Technician
Developed film image. More photo lab technician terms
Negative air Hazmat Technician
Machines that keep containment at lower pressure so contaminants don’t escape. More hazardous materials technician terms
Negative reinforcement Animal Trainer
Removing something unpleasant to increase behavior. More animal trainer terms
Neglect Animal Control Officer
Failure to provide care. More animal control officer terms
Neonatology Pediatrician
Newborn intensive care. More pediatrician terms
NERC Power Dispatcher
North American Electric Reliability Corporation. More power dispatcher terms
Nerve block Anesthesiologist
Numbing a specific nerve. More anesthesiologist terms
Nerve block CRNA
Numbing specific nerves. More nurse anesthetist terms
Nesting Woodworking Machine Operator
Arranging parts on a sheet. More woodworking machine operator terms
Net 30 Billing Clerk
Payment due in 30 days. More billing clerk terms
Net income Eligibility Interviewer
Income after allowed deductions. More eligibility interviewer terms
Net metering Solar Panel Installer
A billing arrangement crediting customers for excess solar power sent to the grid. More solar panel installer terms
Net pay Payroll Clerk
Take-home pay. More payroll clerk terms
Net present value Business Professor
Value of future cash flows today. More business professor terms
Net weight Weigher and Checker
Gross minus tare. More weigher and checker terms
Network optimization Operations Research Analyst
Optimizing routes. More operations research analyst terms
Neuro rehab PT
Rehab after brain or nerve injury. More physical therapist terms
Neuropathy Neurologist
Nerve damage. More neurologist terms
Neuropathy Podiatrist
Nerve damage. More podiatrist terms
Neutral cleaner Janitor
Gentle floor cleaner. More janitor terms
Neutrality Mediator
Not taking sides. More mediator terms
Neutralize Industrial Cleaning Operator
Balance pH. More industrial cleaning operator terms
Newborn screening Audiologist
Hearing tests for babies. More audiologist terms
Next Generation 911 911 Dispatcher
Upgraded 911 systems supporting text and data. More 911 dispatcher terms
NFPA 72 Fire Alarm Technician
The National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. More fire alarm technician terms
NFPA 921 Fire Inspector
The guide for fire and explosion investigations. More fire inspector terms
NFPA codes Safety Engineer
Fire and life safety codes from the National Fire Protection Association. More safety engineer terms
NGL Gas Plant Operator
Natural gas liquids. More gas plant operator terms
NIBRS Criminal Justice Professor
Incident-based crime reporting. More criminal justice professor terms
NICU Pediatric Surgeon
Neonatal intensive care unit. More pediatric surgeon terms
NIFA Agriculture Professor
USDA research funding agency. More agricultural sciences professor terms
Night audit Front Desk Agent
Balancing daily transactions overnight. More hotel front desk agent terms
Night differential Mail Sorter
Extra pay for nights. More mail sorter terms
NIH Medical Scientist
National Institutes of Health. More medical scientist terms
NIH Biology Professor
National Institutes of Health. More biology professor terms
NIH Stroke Scale Neurologist
A stroke severity score. More neurologist terms
NIJ Criminal Justice Professor
National Institute of Justice. More criminal justice professor terms
NIMS Emergency Manager
National Incident Management System. More emergency management director terms
Nip roll Adhesive Machine Operator
Presses layers. More adhesive machine operator terms
NIST Calibration Technician
National Institute of Standards and Technology. More calibration technician terms
NLRA Labor Relations Specialist
National Labor Relations Act. More labor relations specialist terms
NLRB Labor Relations Specialist
National Labor Relations Board. More labor relations specialist terms
NMLS Loan Officer
Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. More loan officer terms
NMR Chemist
Nuclear magnetic resonance. More chemist terms
NMR Chemistry Professor
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. More chemistry professor terms
NMTCB Nuclear Medicine Tech
Nuclear medicine certification board. More nuclear medicine technologist terms
No more bets Casino Dealer
Announcement closing betting. More casino dealer terms
No-bake sand Foundry Moldmaker
Chemically bonded sand. More foundry moldmaker terms
No-show Medical Admin Assistant
A patient who misses an appointment without canceling. More medical administrative assistant terms
No-show Reservation Agent
Passenger who doesn’t arrive. More reservation agent terms
No-show Shuttle Driver
Rider who doesn’t appear. More shuttle driver terms
No-show Front Desk Agent
A guest who doesn’t arrive. More hotel front desk agent terms
No-show Restaurant Host
Reservation that doesn’t come. More restaurant host terms
No-show Community Health Worker
A missed appointment. More community health worker terms
No-show Salon Manager
A client who misses an appointment. More salon manager terms
NOC Network Technician
Network operations center. More network technician terms
NOI Property Manager
Net operating income. More property manager terms
Noise dosimeter Safety Technician
A device that measures a worker’s noise exposure. More safety technician terms
Noise-induced hearing loss Audiologist
Damage from loud sound. More audiologist terms
Nominal size Carpenter
The name size of lumber (2x4) versus actual size (1.5 by 3.5 inches). More carpenter terms
Non-emergency transport Ambulance Driver
Scheduled patient moves. More ambulance driver terms
Non-exempt Payroll Clerk
Eligible for overtime. More payroll clerk terms
Noncompliance record Agricultural Inspector
Documentation of a violation. More agricultural inspector terms
Nonconformance QC Inspector
A failure to meet a requirement. More quality control inspector terms
Nonconforming part Production Assembler
A part that doesn’t meet specifications. More production assembler terms
Nonresponse bias Survey Researcher
Bias from who doesn’t answer. More survey researcher terms
Norm Sociology Professor
Shared expectation. More sociology professor terms
Normalization Database Administrator
Organizing data to reduce duplication. More database administrator terms
Normals Medical Transcriptionist
Standard text blocks. More medical transcriptionist terms
NOTAM Airfield Operations Specialist
Notice to air missions. More airfield operations specialist terms
NOTAM Commercial Pilot
Notice to air missions with important flight information. More commercial pilot terms
Notary Legal Secretary
Official witness. More legal secretary terms
Notch Sewing Machine Operator
Alignment mark. More sewing machine operator terms
Notch Textile Cutting Machine Operator
Alignment cut. More textile cutting machine operator terms
Notch Apparel Patternmaker
Alignment mark. More apparel patternmaker terms
Notch Arborist
The cut that directs a tree’s fall. More arborist terms
Notice of action Eligibility Interviewer
A written decision. More eligibility interviewer terms
Notice of violation Fire Inspector
A written order to correct a code violation. More fire inspector terms
Notice to vacate Property Manager
A resident’s notice of moving out. More property manager terms
Notifiable disease Epidemiologist
Must be reported. More epidemiologist terms
Notification appliance Fire Alarm Technician
Horns, strobes and speakers that warn occupants. More fire alarm technician terms
Notions Hand Sewer
Buttons, zippers and thread. More hand sewer terms
NPDES permit Environmental Engineering Tech
A Clean Water Act permit for discharges. More environmental engineering technician terms
NPDES permit Environmental Technician
A Clean Water Act permit regulating discharges to surface waters. More environmental technician terms
NPDES permit Water Operator
The permit limiting what a wastewater plant may discharge. More water treatment plant operator terms
NPK Soil and Plant Scientist
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. More soil and plant scientist terms
NPO CNA
Nothing by mouth: no food or drink. More certified nursing assistant terms
NPO Diet Tech
Nothing by mouth. More dietetic technician terms
NPS Customer Service Rep
Net Promoter Score: how likely customers are to recommend the company. More customer service representative terms
NPV Financial Analyst
Net present value of future cash flows. More financial analyst terms
NRC Nuclear Engineer
Nuclear Regulatory Commission. More nuclear engineer terms
NREMT EMT
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: the national certification body for EMS. More emergency medical technician terms
NSA Mathematician
Large employer of mathematicians. More mathematician terms
NSCA Kinesiology Professor
National Strength and Conditioning Association. More recreation and fitness professor terms
NSF Computer Science Professor
National Science Foundation. More computer science professor terms
NSLP Cafeteria Cook
National School Lunch Program. More cafeteria cook terms
Nuclear medicine Radiologist
Imaging with radioactive tracers. More radiologist terms
Nuisance wildlife Fish and Game Warden
Animals causing conflicts with people. More fish and game warden terms
Number sense Kindergarten Teacher
Understanding numbers and quantities. More kindergarten teacher terms
Number theory Mathematician
Study of integers. More mathematician terms
Numeric filing File Clerk
Filing by number. More file clerk terms
Numerical analysis Mathematician
Computing approximations. More mathematician terms
Numerical model Meteorologist
Computer forecast. More meteorologist terms
Nurse aide registry CNA
A state list of people who have met CNA training and testing requirements. More certified nursing assistant terms
Nurse Licensure Compact LPN
An agreement that lets nurses with a multistate license practice in member states. More licensed practical nurse terms
Nursery Farmworker
A business growing plants for sale. More farmworker terms
Nursing process Nursing Instructor
Assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate. More nursing instructor terms
Nursing process (ADPIE) RN
Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation: the framework for nursing care. More registered nurse terms
Nut graf Journalist
A paragraph explaining why a story matters. More journalist terms
Nutrition assessment Dietitian
Evaluating dietary needs. More dietitian terms
Nutrition facts Food Scientist
Label nutrient info. More food scientist terms
Nutrition screening Diet Tech
Identifying nutrition risk. More dietetic technician terms
NWCG Fire Prevention Specialist
National Wildfire Coordinating Group, which sets training standards. More forest fire prevention specialist terms
NWS Meteorologist
National Weather Service. More meteorologist terms

All letters and career glossaries