With a wide variety of local schools and training programs, the barriers to entry are very low in Kansas City’s nursing profession. Local nursing students can pursue one of four critical roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Roughly 15 nursing schools serve the metropolitan area, with eight campuses located in Kansas City proper.

Indianapolis, the capital city of Indiana, is home to a good number of schools and universities with nursing programs that offer a variety of options to those interested in a career in nursing. All of these programs – from certifications for nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses to associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing – are closely monitored, appraised, and approved by the Indiana Board of Nursing before they are granted accreditation and allowed to operate.

Texas is home to 190,000 registered nurses (RNs), 72,000 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), and 86,000 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). While these professionals work in every city across the state, the Greater Houston metropolitan area contains the largest population of nurses, including 44,450 RNs, 12,920 LVNs, and 16,610 CNAs. Houston offers some of the best nursing career opportunities and salaries in all of Texas. The city’s RNs earn a median annual salary of $75,830, while its LVNs earn $45,360 annually and its CNAs earn $24,510 per year.

In the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, there is a need for healthcare workers at all levels. The region is home to ten community colleges and vocational schools with nursing programs, including Thomas Nelson Community College and Virginia Beach School of Practical Nursing. Vocational schools provide a rapid and cost-effective launching pad for both certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

Aspiring nurses can target one of three nursing roles. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) take a short eight- to ten-week certificate course, typically offered at a local community college. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) complete a longer certificate program of 12-18 months; they must also pass the NCLEX-PN national examination to gain licensure. CNAs and LPNs are usually supervised by the most senior type of nurse, a registered nurse (RN).

The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is home to a noteworthy 54,170 registered nurses (RNs), 21,990 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 16,840 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). While opportunities for nursing professionals are thus plentiful in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the area’s top employers are quite selective. This means you’ll need the right type of education, training, experience, and licensure in order to land a position.

The bustling city of Chicago has plenty of employment and education opportunities in the nursing field. There are more than fifty schools in the Chicagoland metropolitan area offering a wide variety of programs for nurses at all levels. Deciding which type of nursing program you want to pursue is one of the most important considerations.