With more citizens able to afford insurance, the healthcare field is expanding at a rapid rate. This growth provides opportunities for aspiring nurses to launch a new career. The descriptions below outline some of the most popular careers you can pursue in the nursing field, along with important data that might inform your decision on which career path to choose.
Nursing assistants (CNAs)
Nursing assistants are the first line of care for patients, providing basic needs like bathing, eating, and exercising, as well as basic medical care. To train as a nursing assistant, you will need about two months of education. In the Kansas City area, you can expect to earn a little less than $24,000 per year, while in Wichita, the average salary is just more than $22,000.
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs)
LPNs also provide both basic care and medical needs for patients. However, as an LPN, you will likely have more responsibility on the medical side than nursing assistants. To train as an LPN, you generally need a year to a year and a half of education. In Kansas City, the average salary for an LPN is about $39,000, while in Wichita, that number increases to about $40,500 per year.
Registered nurses (RNs)
Though RNs also occasionally provide basic care and medical needs, they more often devise an overall plan for a patient’s care and provide supervision for LPNs and other staff members. Registered nurses must earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, taking anywhere from two to four years. In Kansas City, RNs can expect to make a little under $63,000 annually. That salary decreases in Wichita, with RNs earning an average of about $51,000 per year.
Completing the required level of education can help you launch a new career in the nursing field. The below list of accredited Kansas nursing schools will provide an excellent starting point as you search for the best program.