The Durham / Chapel Hill area of North Carolina is home to over 13,000 nursing professionals. Aspiring nurses can pursue several distinct nursing roles, each of which carries unique qualification requirements.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
A number of community colleges offer certificate programs which allow students to qualify as certified nursing assistants. These courses are cost-effective and time-efficient, typically requiring only a few months to complete. Hence, many students begin their nursing careers by qualifying as CNAs.
Like CNAs, licensed practical nurses must complete a certificate program. The LPN certificate requires much longer study, however, typically 1-1.5 years. Aspiring LPNs must also pass a national examination, the NCLEX-PN, before gaining licensure. In the Durham / Chapel Hill area, LPNs earn a median annual salary of $45,000, which is several thousand dollars above the state average.
Registered nurse (RN)
A registered nurse makes independent patient care decisions and supervises the work of CNAs and LPNs. Registered nurses typically complete either a two-year associate’s degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree. Prospective RNs must also pass a national examination, the NCLEX-RN, to gain licensure. In the Durham / Chapel Hill area, registered nurses earn an impressive median annual salary of almost $65,000.
The nursing sector in the Durham / Chapel Hill area
Several healthcare employers are looking to expand their operations in the local area. For example, UNC Health Care is hiring nurses to work at its aesthetic and laser centers. The powerful recruitment drive has seen the area’s median nursing salaries rise significantly above state averages.
We’ve compiled a list of nursing programs in the Durham / Chapel Hill area, so that you too can discover its opportunities. You’ll find each local nursing school profiled below.