Are you drawn to helping others? Are you inspired by the possibility of saving and improving lives? Many people in the nursing field feel that they didn’t choose nursing — it chose them. But even if you’re sure that you want to become a nurse, you’ll need to plan ahead for your education, training, and on-the-job experience.
Fortunately, there are several ways to become a nurse. By choosing a path that fits your current lifestyle, you can begin your new career and even gain experience while you complete your nursing education.
What Can You Do As a Nurse?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to becoming a nurse. Instead, there are different types and levels of nursing careers you can pursue.
Salaries and growth projections are current as of this writing and subject to change.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Average Salary: $41,734
Job Growth: 4% through 2032
What They Do: Nursing assistants, also known as nursing aides, provide basic care and help patients with their daily activities. Depending on their training and the state they work in, nursing assistants might also give out medication.
They’re usually the primary caregivers in nursing and residential care facilities and often form close relationships with their patients since some stay in these facilities for months or even years.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Average Salary: $62,140
Job Growth: 5% through 2032
What They Do: Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) provide basic medical care to patients and individuals with disabilities. Their duties vary by work setting, such as providing care in private homes, collecting samples for testing in hospitals, and assisting patients with eating in nursing and residential care facilities.
LPN responsibilities may also depend on the state in which they work. Some states allow them to administer medication and oversee other medical staff.
Registered Nurse (RN)
Average Salary: $87,868
Job Growth: 6% through 2032
What They Do: Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care, educate about health conditions, and offer support to patients and families. They work with physicians and other specialists and may supervise other healthcare staff.
RN duties and titles vary based on their work environment and the patients they serve, such as oncology nurses working with cancer patients and geriatric nurses focusing on the elderly.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
Average Salary: $130,295
Job Growth: 38% through 2032
What They Do: Nurse practitioners, also known as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), coordinate patient care and may provide primary and specialty healthcare. They work independently or with physicians, prescribing medications, ordering tests, diagnosing health problems, and focusing on patient-centered care.
They may also conduct research or provide consultation services in specific fields of knowledge, such as oncology.
How to Become a Nurse
There are several paths to becoming a nurse. Education and real-world experience are good first steps.
Education
To become a nurse, you need to obtain the appropriate education and degrees.
CNAs and LPNs typically don’t need a formal college degree; rather, they need to complete a certification program, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.
Most RNs start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which usually takes around two years to complete, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which generally takes around four years to complete. Undergraduate nursing programs often include hands-on clinical experience.
These programs also usually include courses such as:
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Intro to Psychology
- Intro to Communication
- Pharmacology
Once the degree is completed, aspiring RNs must become certified, which we’ll discuss below.
NPs must have an undergraduate degree in nursing and a master’s in an advanced practice nursing field, such as family practice or palliative care. After completing the degree, they must get certified (see below).
Real-World Experience
Practical experience is a huge part of becoming a nurse. While RNs and NPs usually gain 600-1,000 hours of clinical experience during their degree programs, other paths might include finding work as an orderly, attendant, or nursing aide. These jobs allow you to gain experience in patient care as you work under the supervision of other nursing professionals.
Certifications and Licenses
To practice nursing, you must obtain the necessary certifications and licenses.
CNA
Becoming a CNA does not require a college degree, but it does involve completing a training program approved by your state’s nursing board and passing a certification exam.
LPN
To become a licensed practical nurse, you first need a high school diploma or GED. You then enroll in an accredited practical nursing program at a community college or vocational school that includes classroom learning and supervised hands-on clinical experience.
Once you complete your program, you’ll apply for authorization to test through your local board of nursing and take the NCLEX-PN exam. Passing this exam is required to get your LPN license.
RN
The NCLEX-RN is a test required for nursing graduates to be licensed as RNs in the US and Canada.
Eligibility and licensure requirements are determined by a candidate’s state board of nursing. Candidates must apply for licensure/registration, and upon approval, they will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) email to sit for their NCLEX.
NP
NPs are required to pass the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification exam in their specialized area to obtain a license and practice in their state.
Although the specific licensing requirements may differ from state to state, all states mandate the national board certification exam.
Continuing Education
Nurses must maintain their licenses and stay current with medical advancements through continuing education. National certifications may require regular renewals, but continuing education requirements vary by state. For example, in New Jersey, nurses must complete 30 contact hours (sometimes referred to as Continuing Education Units, or CEU) every two years to renew their licenses.
Get Started on Your Nursing Career Path
Whatever your nursing goals may be, StraighterLine can help you get there. While we don’t offer degrees, we offer courses you can take completely online and at your own pace to earn credits you can transfer to an accredited college or university to work toward your nursing degree. Check out our Nursing Bundle, which includes the classes you’ll need to get started on your nursing career, at their most affordable price.
Learn more about how StraighterLine’s credit transfer process works and about our 70+ affordable courses, which you can take entirely online and at your own pace. Try a class for free today!
