The city of Philadelphia employs the largest number of nurses in Pennsylvania and offers the most competitive wages to nurses in all pathways. Prospective nurses can enroll in one of at least 15 local schools that offer accredited nursing programs, including Prism Career Institute and Drexel University.
Aspiring nurses may choose to launch their career as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). The road to becoming a CNA is relatively straightforward and shorter than most, as it only requires completion of a brief certificate program. This program equips students with the skills and knowledge to pass a state-administered examination. Almost 26,000 CNAs are employed in Philadelphia, and the city’s top earners receive annual salaries of over $33,000.
Another pathway that prospective nurses can choose is licensed practical nurse (LPN). While the LPN certificate program is longer in duration, LPNs gain greater medical expertise to perform a large range of procedures under the supervision of registered nurses. Aspiring LPNs must complete a 12- to 18-month certificate program and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. Over 10,000 LPNs are employed in Philadelphia, and high-performing LPNs earn over $55,000 annually.
A third option for prospective nurses is to seek licensure as a registered nurse (RN). This typically requires completion of an accredited associate’s or bachelor’s degree program, plus successful passing of the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. A total of 42,000 RNs are employed in Philadelphia; the top quarter of the city’s RNs earn over $86,000 annually.
To kick-start your nursing career, we have compiled below a detailed list of nursing schools and programs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.