Nursing Careers Guide

Nursing is an incredibly diverse, incredibly vast field. It’s one of the largest professions in the country and covers a variety of specialties and career paths. There are very few other occupations that offer as many choices when it comes to places to work, areas to specialize in, and degrees to use. There is no single educational path to employment, and you can choose from multiple degree options.

Tuition can vary widely depending on the state and locality, ranging from $3,500 for a community college to over $30,000 for tuition at a private or out-of-state university. In addition to tuition, you should anticipate various other costs including books and clinical fees.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Main Article: CNA

If you choose to become a CNA, you can expect to work full time at this physically demanding job. Nursing jobs of all types are considered to be emotionally and financially rewarding. Learn more about what it takes to begin your career as a certified nursing assistant.

The Difference Between an NA and a CNA

The only difference between the nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant position is the fact that the CNA passed the certification exam. CNAs can make higher salaries and, may find employment a bit easier. However, some places will hire you as an NA and train you to pass the exam. Depending on your state, however, you may need to be certified.

What You’ll Do

As a certified nursing assistant, you will provide essential care for patients who reside in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes. Your typical focus will be on:

• Patient hygiene
• Movement of bedridden patients
• Recording patient information for the LPNs and RNs to review
• Measuring the vital signs
• Serving food to patients who cannot feed themselves

Depending on your level of training and the state you are employed in, you may be able to give medication to patients. However, you cannot draw blood (unless you’re also a phlebotomist) or perform any type of diagnostic tests.

If you find work in a nursing home, you will be considered the primary caregiver to the patients in your charge. You’re in regular contact with the patients, so you should expect to develop close relationships with them even though you’re part of a healthcare team.

If you are patient, empathetic, and compassionate — and you have good physical stamina — then you have qualities perfect for the position and nature of the job.

The Education

A career as a nursing assistant can be a great one. You could stay in this role until retirement, or you can start out as a NA and further your education to advance later in your career.

To begin training as a CNA, you must follow these steps:

• Have either a high school diploma or GED.
• Enroll in a CNA program through either a medical facility, community college, or a trade school. Programs last 6-12 weeks.
• Learn the basics of nursing and participate in supervised clinical work.
• Become certified by passing the state-issued exam, which has a combination of multiple choice questions and hands-on skill demonstration.
• Keep your license active. You will need to take 48 hours of continuing education every two years.

If you have an associate or bachelor’s degree, finding a job may prove to be easier for you than for those with a certificate of completion.

Find a certified nursing assistant program.

The Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for CNAs in 2023 was $39,610, with the top 10 percent making $48,780 or more. The BLS also states that employment for CNAs is expected to increase 4 percent by 2032, which is a growth rate as fast as that of the national average.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

Main Article: LPN

Becoming an LPN is another way for you to get your feet wet in the healthcare field without having to be in school for years. It’s also a starting point for furthered education and employment opportunities within nursing.

The Difference Between an LPN and LVN

There’s absolutely zero difference between the two types of nurses aside from the title. In Texas and California, a licensed practical nurse is called a licensed vocational nurse.

What They Do

Your state laws determine the extent of your duties at work. Most commonly, your job will have you:

• Measure and record the blood pressure, weight, height, pulse, temperature, and rate of respiration of patients. All of the information will be documented and reviewed by the medical team in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
• Give enemas to patients
• Keep track of everything they put in their mouths as well as what leaves their bodies
• Collect fluid samples, such as blood and urine
• Fill out patient paperwork
• Administer IVs and give meds to your patients, in some instances

Your job is a little bit of everything, from nurse to home health aide, and therapist to family members.

You need to be physically and mentally fit to get the job done. Your communication, both verbal and written, has to be exceptional. You will need compassion, empathy, and patience, all of which will be called upon when you’re dealing with patients and their families.

How to Become an LPN

Community colleges and technical/trade schools usually offer LPN programs. Students generally start working within two years of beginning their schooling.

Here’s what you’ll need to do if you’re thinking about becoming an LPN:

• Get your high school diploma or GED
• Complete a state-approved program, either through a vocational/trade school or community college (some hospitals offer LPN training programs, as well)
• Receive your certificate or diploma, which will take anywhere between one and two years
• Complete your clinicals, which will teach you proper bedside manner and other soft skills necessary to the position
• Get your license — you’ll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
• Consider professional certification: you can specialize and become certified in gerontology, pharmacology, IV therapy, immunizations, and more
• Find a job. Or, you could consider going back to school to become a registered nurse

Your career advancement opportunities are wide open when you choose to go into nursing.

This could include becoming an RN, or completing your bachelor’s degree in nursing. There’s a bridge program available to you for either of those. If you want a higher salary, then you may want to consider advanced degrees. You can also move from patient care to an administrative role.

Find an LPN program now.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

The Difference Between an LVN and LPN

There is absolutely no difference between a licensed vocational nurse and a licensed practical nurse. The title of LVN is specific to Texas and California; the rest of the country calls the position a LPN. Both hold the same schooling requirements, provide the same duties, and need the same licensing.

Find an LPN/LVN program now.

(See licensed practical nurse above (LPN) for more information.)

Job Outlook and Salary LPN and LVN

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for LPNs and LVNs was $60,790, with the top 10 percent making closer to $77,870 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for LPNs and LVNs will increase 5 percent by 2032.

Registered Nurse (RN)

Main Article: Registered Nurse

Expert Interview: Career Talk with RN Nicole

Between the rapidly advancing healthcare industry and the aging of the baby boomer generation, registered nurses are in high demand. If you’re seriously considering a job in the medical field and don’t want to complete years of education, then becoming a registered nurse could be the perfect career for you.

What They Do

Once you’re a full-fledged registered nurse, you’ll play a vital role on a team of medical professionals. Your duties will depend on where you work and your industry. Also, your shifts will look different if you’re specialized in, say, oncology versus addiction. However, the basic daily tasks are fairly similar across the board.

You will:

• Evaluate your patient’s condition
• Document your patient’s medical history/symptoms
• Give patients their treatments and medications
• Create a patient care plan
• Work with your medical team
• Consult with the patient and his or her family on how to manage the condition
• Go over patient discharge papers detailing at-home care

Becoming an RN

Essentially, there are three ways you can go about becoming a registered nurse: Choose among a nursing diploma earned at a hospital, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s of science in nursing.

1. There are a few diploma programs that you can find through medical facilities — these are becoming harder to find but remain a viable option. Expect to finish in about 16-22 months
2. The associate degree path takes 2-3 years to complete and makes you eligible for entry-level nursing positions
3. A bachelor’s of science will take 4 years to complete
4. All three options will include supervised clinical experience as a part of the curriculum
5. Many RNs who begin with an associate degree proceed to get their bachelor’s degree through a specific RN to BSN program
6. All states require registered nurses to be licensed
7. Once you graduate from an accredited nursing program, you must pass the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
8. From that point, you can choose to specialize in particular areas of nursing such as neonatal, pediatrics, and gerontology

Find an RN program now.

See an overview of some of the courses you’ll take in a registered nursing program.

RN Pay and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for registered nurses was $94,480 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making $132,680 or more. The BLS also predicts that demand for registered nurses is expected to grow steadily at 6 percent by 2032, which is slightly faster growth than that of the national average.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse practitioners have many of the same responsibilities and authority as physicians do. However, nurse practitioners do not exercise supervisory roles. If you are interested in advancing in the higher roles of nursing, becoming a nurse practitioner may be a great decision for you.

What You’ll Do

Nurse practitioners, aka advanced practice registered nurses, have different duties depending on which state they work in. You are somewhat of a registered nurse-physician hybrid, capable of doing things normally delegated to only one profession or the other.

• Take your patient’s medical history
• Perform a physical exam
• Order diagnostic exams and, most likely, perform them
• Diagnose or identify your patient’s condition
• Create a medical plan and treatment
• Check in on how your patient is responding to said medical plan and treatment
• Communicate with your patient’s medical team
• Perform research-based tasks

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

To become an NP, you'll first need your high school diploma. The next steps you’ll need to take are:

1. Become a registered nurse — You can go through an associate degree at a community college or a four-year school where you’ll receive a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
   1. Reminder: you must have your bachelor’s degree before you can become an NP
2. Make sure the program you’re planning on graduating from is accredited, otherwise you won’t be able to sit for the NCLEX-RN, which you need to move onto the next step
3. After you pass the NCLEX-RN, you’ll work for 1-2 years as an RN before heading to graduate school
4. Decide between a masters or a doctorate (or both)
   1. A Master of Science in nursing generally takes 18 to 24 months
   2. A Doctor of Nursing Practice generally takes 2-3 years
5. Learn your state requirements — most states will ask for at least a master's in nursing, a valid RN license, and a passed certification exam
6. Decide if you want to specialize
   1. You can focus on acute care pediatrics, adult gerontology, family NP, women’s health, and pretty much any other area of medicine

Find a nurse practitioner program now.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for nurse practitioners was $128,490 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making closer to $168,030 or more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that the employment for nurse practitioners is expected to increase 38 percent by 2032, which is much faster than the national average.

Nursing Degrees Online

Online nursing programs can be more convenient than traditional classroom learning — just remember that they are not less challenging. When you enroll in a nursing school online, you will likely be enrolling in a hybrid program, combining hands-on hours with online classes. The clinical portion of your program must be taken in person, so you can get the hands-on experience needed to become a nurse. Your clinicals will take place at a medical facility that your school is connected with.

NOTE: Make sure your online school is accredited.

Ready?

Whichever nursing you decide to pursue, the career can be rewarding, fun, and challenging. Enroll in a nursing program near you today!

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