With over 15,000 nurses employed in the Allentown / Bethlehem area of Pennsylvania, it goes without saying that the nursing profession is highly sought after and lucrative. The path to becoming a nurse can take different forms depending on one’s interest. Prospective nurses can choose from four different types of programs offered at five colleges across the Allentown / Bethlehem area, including Moravian College and Cedar Crest College.
The quickest path to the nursing profession is enrollment in a certificate program to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). This program is ideal for students with busy schedules, since classes are flexible and last for a relatively short duration. Upon completion of the program, individuals can take the state-administered examination for official certification as a nursing assistant. A total of 6,090 CNAs are employed within the Allentown / Bethlehem area, with a median annual salary of $27,680.
The most demanding course of nursing study is enrollment in either the associate’s degree (ADN) or bachelor’s degree (BSN) program to become a registered nurse (RN). These programs last for two to four years, and they comprehensively equip students with the skills to care for patients and make independent healthcare decisions. Upon completion of either program, students can take the national licensure examination, the NCLEX-RN, to be officially licensed as an RN. A total of 7,680 RNs are employed in the Allentown / Bethlehem area, with a median annual salary of $65,470.
To help you take your first steps into the nursing profession, we have compiled below a detailed list of nursing schools and programs in the Allentown / Bethlehem area of Pennsylvania.