The path to a lucrative career in nursing in the state of Alabama begins with obtaining the proper education and training at an accredited nursing school. The state, which is home to an impressive population of more than 80,000 nursing professionals, also requires licensing, registration and/or certification, plus continuing education for every nursing career path. Some of the most common nursing career paths include certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN).
Alabama
We've organized a comprehensive list of Alabama nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Alabama city.
City-specific information
If you would like to become a nurse in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the first step is to decide which program matches your goals. For example, aspiring registered nurses (RNs) can pursue one of four pathways: a hospital diploma, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), or a direct-entry master of science in nursing (MSN). All four pathways prepare candidates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), a requirement for licensure.
Alabama offers an impressive number of educational options for aspiring nurses. The state includes a wide range of nursing programs including nursing assistant (CNA) certification, licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification, an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).
In Mobile’s challenging yet rewarding healthcare field, nurses constitute the largest workforce. They take on varied roles in the medical field and are very much in demand by major employers in the healthcare industry, such as hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, and school and office clinics.
Cities across the US have a high demand for nurses to care for their growing and aging population. Huntsville, the second largest city in Alabama, is no exception.
Several major schools in Alabama, including the University of Alabama in Huntsville, offer a wide range of nursing degree programs to meet this demand for more nurses. Colleges and universities offering nursing programs ensure a steady stream of healthcare workers to look after the health and well-being of the sick, disabled, and elderly.
To become a nurse, your first step is earning a degree or certificate from an accredited nursing program. A full-term bachelor of science in nursing degree, or BSN, is a solid choice if you’re interested in a long and financially rewarding nursing career. However, this path is expensive and requires at least a four-year time commitment.
Nurses with postgraduate degrees, such as a master’s degree in registered nursing (MSN), are vital not just to fill managerial positions, but also to replenish the growing number of nurses with MSN degrees who, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, are retiring in the next five years.
Those who pursue a career in nursing most often choose to earn a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Though it takes a considerable amount of commitment in time and money, a BSN prepares graduates for a promising future upon passing the licensure exam for registered nurses (RNs). In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics considers nursing a high-demand profession, with registered nurses earning an average of $55,000 annually.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, almost half of US nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in registered nursing started out earning a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) initially. This underscores the significance of such a degree as an important step in the career path of full-fledged registered nurses across the country, including Alabama.
After the basic certified nursing assistant program (CNA), the next step for those pursuing a nursing career is the licensed practical nurse certification, or LPN.
The all-in cost of nursing education in Alabama includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other living expenses. These costs will vary greatly according to the length of the program selected, the number of years taken to complete the program, and the particular school chosen. A certificate will take 1-2 years to complete, an associate’s degree will require 2-3 years of study, and a bachelor’s degree will take 4-6 years to complete. The longer the degree, the greater the expense.