Vocational, career, and community colleges are great alternatives to traditional four-year colleges and universities. Typically, they focus on associate’s degrees and certificate programs, and they intend to help you complete your education and begin your career within a limited timeframe. As a result, they are more affordable than four-year colleges, both because they have lower tuition costs as well as a shorter time commitment.
At vocational, career, and community colleges, you can study to become a nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or registered nurse (RN). A nursing assistant program takes approximately eight to ten weeks, while LPN programs last about a year to a year and a half. To become an RN, you need at least an associate’s degree, which will take two to three years at a community college. Regardless of the program, you will need to pass an exam at the end to gain your official license. A few of the schools in Kansas that offer these types of programs include Johnson County Community College, North Central Kansas Technical College, and Independence Community College.
To start your career in one of these nursing roles, explore any of the two-year Kansas nursing schools we’ve listed below.