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Nursing

If you want to be a nurse, you have plenty of options. The first choice is whether to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN). It takes longer to train to become an RN, but the job prospects are excellent and you’ll receive higher pay. Hospital jobs for LPNs are declining, but employment is growing in nursing care facilities and home health care services.

LPN programs usually take one year and prepare you for the NCLEX-PN license. To obtain this license, you’ll need to complete a state-approved practical nursing program and pass a licensing exam.

There are three different ways to become an RN. One choice is to complete a hospital diploma program. This usually takes three years. Alternatively, you can earn an associate degree in nursing (ADN) in two or three years. A bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) takes four years, but this is the best choice if you hope to advance to a nursing specialty or an administrative job. To obtain the required NCLEX-RN license, you’ll need to complete a state-approved program and pass the national licensing exam. Nurses must also renew their licenses periodically through continuing education.