Nurses are on the front lines of health care in the United States. From doctor offices to emergency rooms, they are standing by to triage patients, administer care and offer support. Depending on their level of training, nurses may be called upon to do the following:
- Measure vital signs such as blood pressure and pulse.
- Evaluate a patient's condition and report results to a physician.
- Provide care such as changing dressings, bandages and catheters.
- Assist with diagnostic tests.
- Educate patients and their families on proper management of health conditions.
Nursing Specializations
Medical services are diverse, and nurses often choose to specialize in a specific type of care. There are numerous options available, but here's a look at some common specializations.
- Oncology nurses care for cancer patients. Some nurses specialize even further to focus on pediatric oncology which is the care of children diagnosed with cancer.
- Critical care nurses work in intensive care units and assist patients who have complex and potentially life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
- Geriatric nurses work exclusively with senior and elderly patients who may have different needs than the general population.
- Public health nurses may be employed by nonprofits and community organizations to educate people and families on health issues. They may also participate in community outreach programs such as health screening clinics and blood drives.
Some nursing specialties can be pursued by any graduate of a vocational nursing school while others are limited to only those with a specific education. For instance, nurse midwives who provide gynecological care to women and deliver babies, must have a master's degree to practice in most states.
How to Become a Nurse
All nurses must have some postsecondary education. To prepare for a vocational nursing program, it helps if high school students have taken classes in biology and anatomy. These will provide a good foundation for the topics covered by nursing trade schools. Keep the following steps in mind for becoming a nurse:
- Finish secondary school with a high school diploma or GED or equivalent.
- Complete postsecondary training, whether at the certificate, associate, bachelor's, or even master's and doctorate level.
- Take necessary licensure exams and stay up-to-date on nursing certifications in your chosen specialization.
An LVN program for licensed vocational or licensed practical nurses may include the following courses:
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- General Human Anatomy and Physiology
- General Psychology
- Practical Nursing Concepts
Nursing degree programs
There are a number of ways to become a nurse. Nursing trade schools, community colleges and universities offer the following awards in this field of study.
- Certificate/Diploma: LVN schools offer short-term programs which can often be completed in a year or less. They may result in either a diploma or a certificate and can be a good option for those who want to quickly enter the profession. Explore LVN or LPN degree programs for more insights.
- Associate Degree in Nursing: An associate degree typically takes two years to complete. It is often pursued by those who want to become registered nurses. Some LVN schools have specialty programs, known as an LPN+LVN to RN bridge, that make it easier for current licensed practical or vocational nurses to become registered nurses.
- Bachelor's/Graduate Degree: Although not required to work in the field, some registered nurses earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, known as a BSN. Just as there are LVN to RN programs, there are also LPN+LVN to BSN programs. These allow students to start their career quickly through a vocational nursing school and then advance their skills later. As for graduate degrees, those are only necessary for advanced practice registered nurses such as nurse midwives and nurse practitioners.
Vocational Nursing programs
LVN programs are generally available through nursing trade schools and community colleges. Associate degrees may also be offered by a nursing vocational school or other two-year institution. Bachelor's degrees in nursing are often limited to four-year colleges and universities.
If you're interested in online nursing schools, there may be some options once you've become a licensed vocational nurse. Complete a one-year vocational nursing program and then you may be eligible to enroll in a fully online bridge program. These programs build upon your experience as an LPN or LVN to become a registered nurse or earn a BSN.
Licensing and certification for nurses
All nurses are required by states to be licensed. Generally, licensure is available to those who graduate from a state-approved educational program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination.
Some nurses also choose to pursue voluntary certification through professional organizations such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Certification helps demonstrate a nurse's expertise in a specific area such as case management, gerontology or pediatrics.
Career advancement for nurses
There are different levels of nursing that make it easy to advance to one's career. LVN programs can be a good place to start. They can quickly prepare students for in-demand jobs that command above-average pay.
If you later decide to become a registered nurse, you can work during the day and study at night, thanks to online nursing schools. Those who want to reach the highest levels of nursing can earn a master's degree to become an advanced practice registered nurse. These professionals can perform physical exams, diagnose conditions and write prescriptions in many states.
2020 Best Trade Schools for Nursing
We analyzed hundreds of accredited two-year schools across the U.S., gathering data on affordability, flexibility and more from College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), to determine the best nursing programs in the country. Read on for our top ten:
The best graduation rate at any of the schools in our analysis could be found at Coastal Pines Technical College, which welcomes more than 3,400 students each semester and features a comfortable student-faculty ratio of 15:1. This southeastern Georgia institution also boasts low-cost tuition for qualifying students in its nursing programs.
Nursing programs at CPTC: Students here can pursue a one-semester nurse aide certificate, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) diploma or a full-fledged Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.N.) degree. General education core classes for all three programs are available on nights and weekends, and some courses may be offered online.
Average net price is a college cost measure that totals up the average expenses for tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation and more and subtracts the estimated per-student amount of grant and scholarship aid from the total. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College has one of the five lowest average net prices in the entire country.
Nursing programs at WGTC: Several nursing programs are offered here. The two associate degree plans are designed to prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) — the Associate of Science in Nursing as well as the LPN to ASN bridge program. Certificate and diploma programs are also available.
If you're hoping to make use of the flexibility of online courses in your nursing training, this eastern Georgia institution can help. Ogeechee Technical College features one of the largest percentages of distance education enrollment among the schools that made our list, reporting that more than half of enrolled students take at least some of their courses online.
Nursing programs at OTC: Nursing programs here focus on preparing students for LPN work and other entry-level nursing jobs. The practical nursing diploma consists of 57 credits of coursework, while certificates for healthcare assistants and nurse aides take 30 and 13 credits to complete, respectively.
Measures of student success stood out on the statistics at South Georgia Technical College. No other school in our top ten reported a higher rate of first-year student retention than this Georgia institution of around 2,000 learners, and the graduation rate here placed in the 93rd percentile of all nursing schools we surveyed nationwide.
Nursing programs at SGTC: The nurse aide certificate here provides a general introduction to health care and trains students in nutrition, medical terminology and nursing fundamentals. The practical nursing diploma contains several clinical sections and teaches medical surgical nursing, maternity nursing, nursing leadership and more.
The average net price at Central Georgia Technical College ranked it among the best in the United States, placing it among the top ten for affordability — out of the more than 400 schools in our survey. Flexibility numbers were strong here as well, with more than 49 percent of students opting to earn some of their credits online.
Nursing programs at CGTC: The A.S.N. program at CGTC requires 65 credits to complete and features laboratory courses in microbiology and anatomy and physiology. The diploma plan in practical nursing is designed to give students the knowledge and skills they need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
West Kentucky Community and Technical College could be a great choice for anyone who might enjoy the camaraderie of studying alongside a large group of fellow nursing students. The more than 400 nursing degrees and certificates awarded here in 2017 — roughly one-sixth of all graduates overall — constitute the biggest nursing cohort of any school that made our list.
Nursing programs at WKCTC: The nursing assistant program at WKCTC features three certificate options: Advanced Nursing Assistant (ANA), Kentucky Medication Aide (KMA) and Medicaid Nurse Aide (MNA). An LPN-RN accelerated track allows associate degree in nursing students with LPN experience to complete their programs in one year.
Graduate success in the workforce is an important measure of the value of a college-level training program, and West Georgia Technical College put up solid numbers on that metric. More than 84 percent of students who enrolled at this Waco, Georgia, institution had finished their training and found gainful employment in fewer than six years after taking their first class.
Nursing programs at WGTC: Aspiring registered nurses can train to qualify for the NCLEX-RN in the 70-credit associate degree plan at WGTC. A diploma program is offered for those hoping to begin their careers as LPNs, as well as a nurse aide certificate.
Distance education flexibility for nursing students is on full display at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Not only was its 54 percent online enrollment the top such figure among schools that made our list, but students with LPN experience also have access to an associate degree transition program that makes half or more of its credits available online.
Nursing programs at GNTC: The online LPN to A.S.N. transition program here consists of a minimum of 62 credit hours and includes courses in lifespan nursing care, dosage calculations and care for childbearing families. A standard A.S.N. plan and a practical nursing diploma are also available.
Measures of both student success and graduate success were high for this Illinois Eastern Community Colleges institution. The graduation rate at Olney Central College ranked in the 93rd percentile nationally, and just one other school on our list reported a higher rate of first-year student retention. Close to 83 percent of graduates were employed within six years of enrollment.
Nursing programs at OCC: The associate degree in nursing at OCC takes 72 credit hours to complete and features advanced placement for qualifying transfer students. The 44-credit practical nursing certificate can be completed in two standard semesters and one summer term.
Students hoping to get the most out of every dollar they spend on their college education should be happy to hear about the reported average net price at Oconee Fall Line Technical College. Expected out-of-pocket costs at this small institution of around 1,400 students gave it the most affordable net price in the country.
Nursing programs at OFTC: The pathway to an associate degree in nursing at OFTC requires that students have earned an LPN license or paramedic certification before they're cleared to enroll. Full-time students can expect to complete the ADN Bridge program in six semesters. The practical nursing diploma consists of 60 credit hours of coursework.
Skills and Qualities for Nurses
It takes a special person to work as a nurse. Before you enroll in a vocational nursing program, consider whether you have the following skills and abilities.
- Service orientation: Good nurses do more than the bare minimum. Instead, they are actively looking for ways to help patients and their families.
- Active listening: Medical visits can be stressful for patients. Nurses need to be able to listen to a person's concerns, read between the lines if needed and ask the appropriate follow-up questions.
- Active learning: Nurses also need to quickly adjust their care of a patient as new information about their condition and concerns becomes available.
- Static and trunk strength: Nursing is a hands-on profession that requires physical strength. Nurses may be lifting patients, pushing wheelchairs and squatting to adjust medical equipment and monitors.
- Speech clarity: Nurses often serve as a go-between for patients and busy physicians. They need to be able to clearly articulate concerns and doctor orders.
Nurse Salary and Career Outlook
Nurses generally earn above average incomes although their actual salaries can depend upon a number of factors, such as their practice area and specialization. Plus, those with more education typically earn more than graduates of LVN programs. Here's a look at the range of incomes as well as job growth figures found nationwide, according to government data:
Career | Total Employment | Average Salary | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists | 43,570 | $181,040 | 17% |
| Nurse Midwives | 6,930 | $108,810 | 15.7% |
| Registered Nurses | 2,982,280 | $77,460 | 12.1% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 697,510 | $48,500 | 10.7% |
Professional Resources for Nurses
In addition to exploring nursing trade schools, you may also want to learn about the following organizations that serve nurses and nursing students
- National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses - Known as NALPN, this group advocates for quality and professional standards within the field of vocational nursing. It also administers certification programs for gerontology and IV therapy.
- American Nurses Association - With a history dating back to 1896, ANA represents 4 million registered nurses nationwide. The American Nurses Credentialing Center, which offers certification programs, is a subsidiary of the ANA.
- National Black Nurses Association - Founded in 1971, NBNA advocates for the needs of African-American nurses and represents 150,000 members who include LPNs, LVNs, RNs and APRNs. The organization also runs a scholarship program for nursing students.