What Are The Fastest Paths To Becoming A Nurse?
If you’re ready to get your nursing career going, you may want to consider one of these programs.
Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing fields in the country, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics citing a 13% growth rate for the industry through 2032, which it says is much faster than average for all careers.
One reason? One of the largest generations in American history, the baby boomers, is aging. This may lead to an increased need for healthcare services and a continued demand for qualified healthcare professionals. Luckily, the educational programs of many important healthcare roles could be completed in a year or less, allowing nursing students to finish their education fairly quickly and help fill the growing need.
In This Article
Statistics underscoring the demand for healthcare workers abound: For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 85% of adults over 65 have at least one chronic health condition. And 56% of adults over age 65 have at least two chronic health conditions. This creates a significant need for healthcare.
The nursing profession has been experiencing an increase in demand for qualified nursing professionals for years and will continue to do so as the baby boomer generation ages, said Jenna Liphart Rhoads PhD, RN, CNE, assistant nursing professor at the University of Wisconsin, Green Bay.
“Additionally, nursing roles continue to morph and expand from bedside/acute care to preventative health and education roles,” she said.
The next decade will also lead to baby boomers leaving the workforce. By 2029, the youngest members of this generation will be approaching retirement age, which may create gaps in the workforce. One area predicted to be affected by this generational shift is nursing. About half of all current registered nurses (RNs) are over 50. Together, these factors make right now a great time to jump into your education program.
Consider exploring these programs that can be completed in a year or less.
Registered Nurse (RN)—accelerated program
Length of Program: 1 year or a little longer, including clinical experience
Earning your license to work as a registered nurse (RN) typically takes longer than a year. However, accelerated programs can allow you to earn your license quickly. These programs are designed to help address the nursing shortage and add more qualified RNs to the healthcare workforce.
Not everyone is eligible for an accelerated program. You’ll already need a bachelor’s degree in another field before you can begin. Your accelerated RN program will allow you to apply the credits from your current bachelor’s toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). It’s important to note that your current bachelor’s degree will need to have included enough science and humanities credits to fulfill the requirements of a BSN.
Your accelerated RN degree will allow you to earn a BSN by focusing solely on nursing credits and clinical work for a year. It’s important to note that these programs are intensive, demanding, and have strict requirements.
“All nursing prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning a fast-track RN program because the programs consist of only nursing courses,” said Rhoads. “Due to the grueling nature of fast-track RN programs, students are strongly cautioned against working a job while attending school.”
However, a fast-track program will allow you to earn licensure quickly. The exact requirements for these programs depend on the school offering them and on RN licensure rules in your state. You’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam before you can apply for licensure in your state.
Once you have your RN license, your daily job duties can vary depending on your specialty. Having a specialty is a great way to focus your nursing knowledge. You can get a quick overview of some popular RN specialties below.
Cardiovascular Nurse
What You’ll Do: Cardiovascular nurses work with critically ill patients in cardiac care units as well as patients recovering in cardiac rehabilitation facilities.
Community Health Nurse
What You’ll Do: Community health nurses are public health specialists. In this role, you’ll treat patients while working to identify health issues specific to your community.
Emergency Room Nurse
What You’ll Do: Emergency room nurses are on the front lines in busy hospitals. They work to treat acute illnesses, injuries, and accidents in a fast-paced environment.
Geriatric Nurse
What You’ll Do: Geriatric nurses focus on caring for elderly patients. In this role, you’ll focus on conditions that often affect older adults such as diabetes and heart disease.
Home Health Nurse
What You’ll Do: Home health nurses see patients in their homes. You’ll spend your days traveling to different locations in your community and providing medications, wound care, and other treatments.
Labor and Delivery Nurse
What You’ll Do: Labor and delivery nurses provide care to mothers and babies during childbirth. In this role, you’ll be the person spending the most time with the mother during their labor and delivery, offering support and providing care.
Legal Nurse Consultant
What You’ll Do: Legal nurse consultants put their nursing knowledge to work to advise on legal matters. This role will allow you to act as an advocate for people who’ve been injured by an accident or crime.
Neonatal Nurse
What You’ll Do: Neonatal nurses work with critically ill infants. You’ll work in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to care for infants who were born premature or with health conditions.
Obstetrical Nurse
What You’ll Do: Obstetrical nurses work with women trying to conceive, women who are pregnant, and new parents. In this role, you’ll provide support, care, treatment, and education.
Occupational Health Nurse
What You’ll Do: Occupational health nurses take on the responsibility of making the workplace safer. In this role, you’ll make sure a company’s employees can work without being exposed to health and safety risks.
Oncology Nurse
What You’ll Do: Oncology nurses work with cancer patients to provide care and specialized medical treatments. You’ll support patients and their families and educate them about the disease.
Operating Room Nurse
What You’ll Do: Operating room nurses help care for patients before, during, and after surgical procedures. You’ll help prep patients for surgery and answer any questions patients and their families have.
Rehabilitation Nurse
What You’ll Do: Rehabilitation nurses help people who are recovering from injury, surgery, or illness. You’ll work as part of a team with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to provide care and treatment for patients.
School Nurse
What You’ll Do: School nurses oversee the health of students. You’ll keep student health records and monitor students for healthy development.
Trauma Nurse
What You’ll Do: Trauma nurses work with patients immediately after accidents. In this role, you’ll work with patients who’ve been in serious accidents and need urgent life-saving care.
Salaries for RNs
The BLS publishes the salary for RNs, but it does not track specific specialties.
Home Health Aide
Length of Program: 4-6 weeks
Home health aides are projected to see a 21.7% growth through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Programs may be completed in as little as 4 to 6 weeks, although full semester options that last several months are also offered. Your program should go over the skills you need to assist people in their homes with activities such as bathing, eating, dressing, and other daily hygiene tasks. You’ll also learn how to take vital signs and monitor patients for safety.
Certification isn’t required by all states. When it is, you’ll need to complete at least 75 hours of training in a program that’s been approved by your state. Programs might be offered by local home health agencies, hospices, health services agencies, or even online. Keep in mind that you’ll need to complete some in-person clinical training if you choose to attend an online program. Most states require at least 16 hours.
Home health aides generally take on tasks such as:
Next steps for advancement: As a home health aide, you might choose to pursue a program to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN), which will give you the chance to take on much more responsibility, oversee nursing aides and assistants, and potentially double your salary.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Length of Program: 1–4 months, with between 75 and 180 hours of training depending on your state
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) complete programs that are approved by their state and earn certification. Programs can require as few as 75 hours or as many as 180 hours depending on your state. Program lengths will also vary depending on state requirements and the structure of your program, but most can be completed in 1 to 4 months. Nursing assistant programs are offered by nursing facilities, health departments, hospitals, community colleges, and technical skills.
“Home health aide or CNA programs are a good fit for people who want to enter the healthcare field quickly,” says Rhoads. “[They] allow people to get their foot in the door of healthcare. Many CNAs and home health aides eventually attend nursing school and can gain experience that is valuable for their nursing education.”
Nursing assistant programs offer the educational foundation you need to provide care for patients in hospitals and other facilities. You’ll cover topics such as:
You’ll have plenty of opportunities once you earn certification. The BLS predicts 4.1% job growth for CNAs through 2032. In addition to hospitals, you’ll find job opportunities in skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation faculties, mental health hospitals, and more. On the job, you’ll take on daily tasks such as:
“CNA jobs are often physically and emotionally demanding and are best suited to those who enjoy working with people and want to make a difference in others’ lives,” Rhoads says.
Next steps for advancement: Without having to change jobs, Certified Nursing Assistants can increase their employment opportunities and CNA pay potential by earning a certification as a medication aide (CMA). This allows you to legally administer certain medications and report patient changes to the rest of the staff. Depending on the requirements of your state, you could complete a medication aide course in as little as six weeks before taking the MACE certification exam.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Length of Program: 9–18 months, including various hours of clinical experience
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) take on more advanced duties than CNAs. You’ll spend at least nine months in school, but you’ll potentially see a significant jump in your salary and in your responsibility. You’ll work closely with doctors and registered nurses and take on tasks such as medication administration. You’ll often supervise CNAs and home health assistants. Plus, you’ll find plenty of opportunities: LPNs are predicted to see a 5.3% job growth through 2032, according to the BLS.
“LPN programs allow people to enter healthcare more quickly than RN programs and are great for those who enjoy working with people in a fast-paced environment,” says Rhoads. “Becoming an LPN would provide a higher-paying job than (that of) an aide, and there is a possibility for a wider variety of roles. LPNs generally have more autonomy and have a higher scope of practice as well.”
You’ll need to attend a nursing program approved by your state and earn licensure before you can become an LPN. All states have their own licensing rules for LPNs. In California and Texas, LPNs are called Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). LPN programs are offered by community colleges and technical schools.
Programs can be as short as nine months and as long as 18 months. LPN programs are normally about 60% clinical training. Some programs might allow you to complete the rest of your education online. You’ll need to take and pass the NCLEX-LPN exam given by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to earn your LPN license and begin looking for work.
Once on the job, you’ll take on daily tasks such as:
Next steps for advancement: LPNs can often apply the credits they earn in their program to coursework for an associate degree, earning a registered nursing degree in as little as a year. By doing so, you can save money on school, increase your level of responsibility, and give yourself the chance to significantly boost your salary.
Have more than a year? Consider an advanced degree
RNs who are looking to take on more advanced responsibilities can consider earning a master’s or doctoral degree. Nurses who earn these degrees are referred to as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs). They’re able to take on leadership roles, work independently, and provide primary care.
You’ll generally need at least a Master of Science of Nursing (MSN) for any APRN role. Most MSN programs take between one and three years to complete. Some APRN roles, notably nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, are moving toward doctoral nursing degrees as a standard.
Source: Salary and job growth data from the 2022 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
With professional insight from:
Jenna Liphart Rhoads PhD, RN, CNE
Assistant Nursing Professor, University of Wisconsin
