What Qualifications Do I Need To Become a Nurse?

Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) help provide basic care and help patients with daily living.

Their job duties may include:

• Cleaning and bathing patients
• Helping patients get dressed
• Serve meals and help patients eat
• Rake vital signs like temperature and blood pressure
• Transferring patients to and from their wheelchairs
• Turning or repositioning patients on their beds

CNAs usually work in nursing care facilities or other long-term care facilities, retirement or assisted living communities, and hospitals.

They may also do home healthcare services.

Qualifications to Become a CNA

The specific qualifications to become a CNA vary by state but generally require obtaining a state-issued license or certification.

To do this, you'll need to complete a CNA education program. These are often offered by high schools, community colleges, and healthcare systems. You'll also likely need to pass a competency exam.

You may also be required to pass a background check and become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS). You may need to periodically take courses to maintain your license.

Licensed Practical Nurse

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), as they're called in California and Texas, are responsible for providing basic medical care to patients.

The specific job duties of an LPN may vary depending on the setting they work in but often include:

• Changing bandages
• Checking vital signs
• Collecting laboratory samples
• Documenting patient care
• Helping patients bathe or get dressed
• Talking with patients and family members about the patient's care

In some states, LPNs who have had proper training are also allowed to dispense medications.

LPNs work under the supervision of registered nurses and doctors, most commonly in nursing and residential care facilities but also in hospitals and doctor's offices and through home healthcare services.

Requirements to Become an LPN or LVN

To become an LPN or LVN, you'll need to complete an accredited education program.

These are usually offered as certificate or diploma programs through community and career colleges and take about a year to complete.

You can find accredited practical nursing programs through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You'll also need to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

This is an assessment developed and administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

The education program and exam are usually all that's required for state licensure, but employers may require LPNs to be certified in CPR or BLS.

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses (RNs) are your standard, tried-and-true nurses.

They're responsible for coordinating patient care, supporting patients, and educating patients and the public about healthcare.

The job duties of a registered nurse may include:

• Administering medication and treatments
• Assisting with diagnostic testing
• Helping set up patient care plans
• Taking vitals and assessing patients' conditions
• Use and monitor medical equipment

Some RNs specialize in a specific area of medicine, such as clinical care, emergency medicine, oncology, or pediatrics.

The majority of nurses work in hospitals, but they may also work in physicians' offices, outpatient care centers, home healthcare, and nursing and residential care facilities.

Requirements to Become a Registered Nurse

All states require registered nurses to hold a nursing license. To do this, you'll need to earn a degree in nursing and pass an exam.

Nursing degrees are available as two-year associate degrees or four-year bachelor's degrees. These can be found at colleges and universities.

Some students choose to earn an associate degree, become licensed, and then return to school to complete their bachelor's degree with a registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program.

You can find accredited nursing degree programs through the ACEN or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

After you've earned your degree, you'll need to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam is also offered by the NCSBN.

Depending on your state, you may need to fulfill additional requirements, like passing a background check, before you can obtain your license.

Some employers may also require you to be certified in CPR or BLS. Additional specialty certifications are also available to registered nurses.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), most commonly referred to as nurse practitioners, are registered nurses who have advanced training and as a result, have a wider scope of practice.

The specific things a nurse practitioner can do depends on state regulations, but often include:

• Acting as a primary care provider
• Analyze test results
• Create health plans
• Diagnose some health problems
• Order, and sometimes perform diagnostic tests
• Perform physical exams
• Prescribing medications

In some states, nurse practitioners are required to work under or in partnership with a licensed physician.

Not all states allow nurse practitioners to prescribe medication or act as primary care providers.

Often, nurse practitioners have a specialty, such as:

• Adult/gerontology acute or primary care
• Emergency medicine
• Family practice
• Neonatology
• Pediatric acute or primary care
• Psychiatric mental health
• Women's health/gender-affirming care

Nearly half of all nurse practitioners work in physicians' offices, but they may also work in hospitals or outpatient care centers.

Requirements to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Before you can become a nurse practitioner, you must first have your registered nursing license.

After that, you'll need to complete a nursing practice degree program.

These degrees are available as Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees.

While you can work as a nurse practitioner with a master's degree, some employers may require a doctorate.

Many schools offer a BSN to DNP program, so you aren't required to earn a master's first.

After you complete your program, you'll need to pass a national certification exam.

The exam will vary depending on your chosen specialty.

Once you pass the exam, you'll likely qualify for the APRN license, although some states may have additional requirements.

As with other nursing professions, your employer may require CPR or BLS certification.

Complete Your Nurse Qualifications Today

Nurse qualifications vary between professions, but generally require completing an educational program, passing an exam, and obtaining a license through your state.

With our guide above, you can determine which nurse qualifications you need to become a licensed nurse.