Are you drawn to helping others or 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. Starting a nursing career is a process that requires the right education, certification, and clinical experience. And whether you're just finishing school, changing careers, or returning to the workforce, nursing offers lots of entry points. Knowing how to get started with a nursing career will save you a lot of time and energy on your path.
If you’re wondering how to start a nursing career, this post will guide you. We'll walk you through how to choose the role you want to pursue — like becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN), or even a Nurse Practitioner (NP) — as well as introduce the educational requirements, clinical experience, and other certifications that will help you begin your career as a nurse.
How Do You Start A Nursing Career in 2025? Highlights
- Starting a nursing career requires specific education ranging from certifications to advanced degrees
- There are several positions ranging from CNA to NP that require different levels of training and education.
- Nursing careers offer strong job security with growth rates of 4-38% through 2032
- StraighterLine offers transferable prerequisite courses that accelerate your nursing education path
How Do You Become a Nurse?
There are several paths to becoming a nurse. Education and real-world experience are great first steps! But to break it down simply, the steps to becoming a nurse are...
- Determine your desired nursing career level (CNA, LPN, RN, or NP)
- Complete the required education for that level
- Gain clinical experience through training programs
- Pass appropriate certification exams
- Apply for state licensure
- Begin an entry-level position in your chosen specialty
- Pursue continuing education to maintain credentia
We go into each step in more detail below.
What Are the Different Types of Nursing Careers?
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!
For the sake of this post, a nursing career is defined as any healthcare profession focused on providing patient care through various levels of certification and specialization. Below are a few different types of nursing careers, as well as projected salary and growth at the time of writing.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Average Salary: $39,610*
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: $60,790*
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 (2023): $94,480*
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 (2023): $128,490*
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.
What Education Do You Need to Start a Nursing Career?
To become a nurse, you need to obtain the appropriate education and degrees.
Nursing School Admission Requirements: Most nursing programs require a high school diploma or GED, a minimum GPA (often 2.5 or higher), completion of prerequisites like biology or math, and a passing score on an entrance exam such as the TEAS or HESI. You may also need a background check, immunizations, and CPR certification before starting clinicals.
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 clinical experience and a required certification process, which we'll discuss below.
While ADN programs offer faster entry into the workforce, BSN degrees typically provide more career advancement opportunities and higher earning potential over time.
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).
Some common prerequisite courses for nursing school are...
- Anatomy & Physiology I
- Anatomy & Physiology II
- Microbiology
- Intro to Psychology
- Intro to Communication
- Pharmacology
You can take them ahead of time to fast-track your degree.
What clinical experience do you need as a nurse?
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.
What certifications and licenses does nursing require?
To practice nursing, you must obtain the necessary certifications and licenses. Which ones you need will depend on which type of nursing you are practicing.
- 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.
What continuing education is recommended for nurses?
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.
Your 12-Week Nursing Career Launch Plan
Want to fast-track your path to becoming a nurse? Set yourself a timeline with goals so you know that you're on your way!
Week 1-2: Research nursing programs and prerequisites for your desired path
Week 3-4: Enroll in your StraighterLine prerequisite courses
Week 5-8: Complete prerequisite courses while researching nursing schools
Week 9-10: Apply to nursing programs or certification courses
Week 11-12: Prepare for entrance exams or interviews as required
How Do You Get Started on A 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 StraighterLine's Nursing Prerequisite Course 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!
* Source: Salary Information from a May 2023 News Release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
FAQs
How long does it take to become a nurse?
It depends on your path. While you can become a CNA in just a few weeks or months, becoming an LPN takes about a year. Earning your RN license can take 2–4 years, depending on the program.
Can I work in healthcare while going to school for nursing?
Yes! In fact, it's common for many nursing students to work as CNAs, medical assistants, or patient care techs while in school. It’s a great way to gain experience and confirm that nursing is the right fit — all while earning an income and getting connections for future job opportunities.
