These are answers to some of the most common questions. If yours is not here, please don't hesitate to please contact us and we'll do our best to help you, or to refer you to someone who can. What is the difference between an LPN and a RN? An RN is a registered Nurse who has graduated from a four year nursing program with a BSN or from a two year program with an Associate's Degree, and has then passed the NCLX-RN licensure examination and received the license. An LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse who may have gone to school one year and has passed the licensure examination and received the license. Some institutions may give advanced credit to LPNs towards their RN courses. How long does it take to become a PN? You may complete your Practical Nurse studies in one year if you do it full time, and then you must pass the licensure examination to become an LPN. How long will it take to become a nurse? Since there are so many different settings, fields and specialties, it all depends on what you want to do, where you want to work, how much time you have… The good news is, you can probably start earning money very early into your courses. What are the prerequisites? High school diploma or a high school equivalency test are required as a minimum to enter a nursing program. Please check with the schools listed in this website under "Becoming a Nurse," for more specific information. Are there evening programs? Yes. Check the "becoming a nurse/educational paths" section of this website for more information. Can I transfer credits? Yes. Credits from previous academic work and even for practical experience, are granted. Please check with the schools listed in this website under "Becoming a Nurse," for more specific information Can I attend school on a part time basis? Yes, and it is actually very common for nursing students to work in other health care fields or even in other jobs while attending school. How much does it cost? Costs vary from school to school and depending on the degree you're pursuing, but there are ways to combine school with work or to obtain financial aid or scholarships, so people from all financial backgrounds can pursue their goals. Please check with the schools listed in this website under "Becoming a Nurse," for more specific information. Do all nurses begin their careers in hospitals before "branching out" to other settings? Not necessarily. Many home care agencies, for example, provide internships for new nursing graduates, so they can begin a career in home care right after completing nursing education. Does Home Care require advanced education or credentials? Nurses with a variety of educational backgrounds work in Home Care. Some clinical specialties may require advanced training, e.g wound, ostomy, continence, and skin care (WOCS); and nurses in home care management often have baccalaureate or higher degrees — sometimes in other fields, like business. Are there employers who offer tuition reimbursement? In the annual member nursing home employment survey, conducted in June, 2001, 68% of nursing homes reported offering tuition reimbursement to their full-time employees. While reimbursement policies vary widely, more than half reported offering between $750-$1500 per employee per year. A handful of providers reported paying full tuition for nursing programs, and several tied reimbursement to the employee's tenure at the facility or the achievement of a minimum class grade. At any rate, you should ask what the individual facility's policies are, you may be very pleasantly surprised. Which degree or license would make me more marketable? An RN or Registered Nurse license is a great door opener in today's market; an RN who has completed 4 years of college and has a BSN degree has great opportunities. If I start in one field of nursing, how easy is it to switch to another? Depending on the specific specialty, your academic background and your experience in nursing will count towards any other nursing field. Is financial aid available? Yes. There are several federal financial aid programs available; check out www.fafsa.com. Many employers offer scholarships and/or tuition reimbursement programs; and there are scholarships available from organizations and foundations such as the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation and the Massachusetts Long Term Care Foundation, www.longtermcarecareers.org How do I become licensed? Each State has different requirements, please contact the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing for complete information. Do I have to take another exam if I move? Please contact the Board of Registration in Nursing at the State where you're planning to move to find out their specific requirements. What are the job opportunities? Outstanding. As a Registered Nurse (RN) today, you are a highly sought after professional, and the market place is wide open. As a Licensed Practical Nurse you also have many job opportunities available, whether or not you want to continue the path to become a RN. With 75 to 100 hours of study, a CNA, or Certified Nursing Assistant, is also highly employable at extended care facilities in our area. What is the salary range in the Metro West area? In wide terms, a Registered Nurse today can earn from $37,000 to $75,000 plus; an RN with a BSN, $38,000 to $125,000 plus. An LPN or Licensed Practical Nurse can expect to earn between $29,000 to $55,000 plus; while a Certified Nurse Assistant in this area today may earn between $18,000 to $38,000. Salaries also depend on variables such as specialty, employment setting, and shifts. These salaries ranges are shown as parameters, and do not constitute specific job offers, but they give you a better idea of the great opportunities in the nursing field. What are the opportunities for career advancement? Again, this is one of the best features of the nursing career as a profession — the advancement potential. Whether you decide to remain in the same field or to switch specialties, there's a growth path in front of you that allows you to learn more, do better, be more challenged and earn more. It is the intention of the MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation (MWCHCF) to provide you with useful, updated information regarding nursing careers and educational paths. We do not claim to contain complete information, and we cannot be responsible for errors or omissions. If your school or association is not mentioned in our website and you'd like your information to be available to our visitors, please contact us.