Over 8,000 nurses are employed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. These nurses fulfill three distinct healthcare roles depending upon their level of training: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN). Once they receive official licensure, newly minted nurses in Lancaster can seek employment with major local healthcare providers like Genesis Healthcare.
Certified nursing assistant
CNA programs have the shortest duration and greatest flexibility of all nursing training. Completing a CNA certificate program typically requires several weeks to a few months. Graduates must then pass a state-administered examination to gain official licensure as a nursing assistant. A total of 3,760 CNAs are employed in Lancaster, with a median annual salary of $28,850.
LPN programs train their students to perform a large range of medical procedures. Completing an LPN certificate program typically requires 12-18 months of study. Graduates must then pass a national examination, the NCLEX-PN, to gain official licensure as a licensed practical nurse. A total of 1,830 LPNs are employed in Lancaster, with a median annual salary of $41,820.
Registered nurse
Aspiring RNs may choose to enroll in either a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. These programs comprehensively equip students with the medical skills and expertise necessary to make independent patient care decisions. Completion of either program qualifies a student to take the national examination, the NCLEX-RN, to gain official licensure as a registered nurse. A total of 3,320 RNs are employed in Lancaster, with a median annual salary of $64,780.
To launch your career in the nursing profession, we have compiled below a detailed list of nursing schools and programs in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.