Your desired nursing occupation (e.g. CNA, RN, APRN, etc.) will determine the type and level of education required. For instance, a CNA needs only a state approved certificate or diploma, which takes between four and twelve months to earn, to begin working, whereas Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) require either a master’s (MSN) or doctoral degree (DNP), which takes between six and eight years to earn.

Additionally, it’s important to consider the salaries typical of differing levels of nursing education as they can vary widely. A CNA earns a median annual salary of $30,310 while Nurse Practitioners (who are APRNs) earn median annual salaries of $123,780, according the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS).

You should make certain that the salary of your desired occupation aligns with your financial needs and expectations.

There are accelerated programs, self paced programs that fit around your schedule, evening or weekend courses, and online programs.

“Online options become greater if you already have an RN degree,” said Oliver Bryant, counselor at Grand Canyon University. “Our ADN to BSN program can be completed online in 16 months since those students have successfully completed the hands-on learning of laboratories and clinicals during their associate degree. The program is rigorous, so I always advise students to take time away from work to be able to concentrate fully on the program.”

If you aim to become a Registered Nurse (RN), options are more limited due to the laboratory and clinical portion of programs required to earn your license.

“Completing the hands-on portion at a healthcare facility might be an option. However, the majority of programs are set up so everything is done in house since that institution is responsible for your learning and awarding the degree,” Bryant said.

If you’ve already completed college-level courses at an accredited institution, you might be able to transfer those credits to your nursing program. Doing so can reduce the overall cost of completing the degree and shorten the duration of your education as you may be able to apply those credits to your nursing program’s prerequisites.

“We don’t require testing to sign up for nursing programs, but transcripts showing previous classes may apply to the degree, shortening the time needed and cost of the program,” Bryant said.

Admission requirements vary by program and school. Certificate-based nursing professions, like Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN), have fewer requirements than those professions that require a degree.

Most RN programs have an application process that involves writing an essay, submitting ACT or SAT scores if you haven’t been to college, basic knowledge of math and science, academic or professional recommendations, and more. If you’ve already earned your associate or bachelor’s degree or credits toward a degree, college transcripts are required rather than test scores.

Each individual school’s admission process is unique so you should check with the school’s office of admissions for more detail.

The next step after deciding which nursing degree you are interested in and finding a program that works best for you is to investigate financial options.
You should take the time to explore scholarships, grants, and whether your employer reimburses employees for their tuition (or a portion of it). The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a great place to start for all students since it determines the government assistance for which you qualify.

Scholarships are generally awarded based on achievement or accomplishment and their size ranges from hundreds of dollars to “full-ride” scholarships that cover the entirety of your expenses. Most scholarships are designed with details restricting eligibility to certain individuals, cultural identities, medical specialties and many other requirements. However, there are many nursing student scholarships available making it worth the time needed to sort through the eligibility requirements. 

Traditional government loans for education can be a good option to bridge the gap between your financial aid and the money you can contribute on your own. Federal student loans are repaid after you leave school, have lower interest rates than private lenders, and credit history isn’t needed for the application.