The nursing profession in Annapolis can be broadly divided into four roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Each role carries distinct responsibilities, education pathways, and licensing requirements.
Nursing assistant is the most junior role. It requires only the completion of a brief eight- to ten-week certificate program. To attain CNA licensure, candidates must pass a state-administered examination. LPNs are senior to nursing assistants. They complete a certificate program of 12 to 18 months in length and must pass the NCLEX-PN national examination to attain licensure. Registered nurses perform a number of healthcare tasks independently. Maryland’s RNs may pursue one of three education pathways: two-year associate’s degree, four-year bachelor’s degree, or direct-entry master’s degree. All candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN national examination to attain licensure. Finally, APRNs fill specialized nursing roles like nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist. Most APRNs complete a focused master’s degree program at a Maryland university to attain licensure.
Nursing education provides students an attractive return on investment. Annapolis and Anne Arundel County are part of the Baltimore metro area, where local CNAs earn a median annual salary of $27,470 and LPNs earn $51,810 per year. RNs, who must hold a degree, earn $71,130 per year on average. Nurses with baccalaureate education can earn $84,000 or more annually, and master’s-holding APRNs bring home $100,000-180,000 per year depending upon their chosen field of specialization.
To learn more about nursing programs in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, please refer to our detailed profile below.