What nursing career is right for you? Learn about the fulfilling opportunities nursing has to offer, from traditional roles in hospitals to innovative positions in healthcare technology.
When starting your nursing career, it’s best to remember that everyone starts somewhere. Not all career paths require extensive schooling, and several options allow you to enter the workforce relatively quickly so you can start earning an income and building real-world experience.
If you wish to be a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you need to complete an accredited LPN program, offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and private colleges. Students entering an LPN program can expect to take courses in nursing, biology, and pharmacology while also participating in hands-on clinical experiences. LPN certificate programs take about one year to complete.
The minimum education requirements to become a registered nurse (RN) are an associate degree or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). However, requirements within nursing are expected to change as states push to expand the qualifications for nurses. In many states, every position in the nursing field may soon require a bachelor’s degree. A BSN degree requires three to four years of coursework to complete.