If you are considering a career in nursing but are not quite sure if it is the right fit for you, you may want to start by getting certified as a nursing assistant or nurse’s aide. Becoming a CNA is a good way to get a feel for what the healthcare profession is like while earning a decent living wage at the same time. Unlike most major professional certifications, the training process for certified nursing assistants is fairly quick and easy. In most cases, a program can be completed in as little as a few weeks. Best of all, this is one form of education that is not likely to break the bank or require a major investment in supplies to get started. In fact, the average cost of a full CNA program is between $300 and $1200 depending on where you live. Some programs even include online CNA courses for the portion of the training that consists of theory and classroom work. The second half of the training process involves working with real patients in a hospital, clinic or long-term care facility. This is where students get their first taste of what it is like to have a career in healthcare. For some, it may easy to decide that this industry is a good fit while others may need to take some time to get acclimated.

When you compare that to the cost of attending a major college or university, it is easy to see the value in becoming a certified nursing assistant before making the decision to go after a four year nursing degree. Almost anyone who spends a little time studying and preparing should be able to pass the certification exam with a minimal amount of effort. Once this has been successfully completed, you can then begin to start working in the field and earning as much as $11 to $17 per hour.

For those who decide to stick with nursing as a full-time job, the next step is to get licensed as an LPN or registered nurse. The valuable experience gained through working as a nurse’s aide will make it easier to bridge the gap and learn how to become an RN. A working knowledge of medical terms and clinical procedures can serve as a tremendous advantage for students entering nursing school. Individuals who stay the course and complete a more advanced nursing degree can be rewarded with an increased level of responsibility along with an annual salary that can reach $85,000 in some markets.

The most important thing to remember is that unlike most dead-end jobs, this can be a first stepping-stone on a rewarding career path that offers many unique advancement opportunities. The healthcare industry is growing by leaps and bounds and this growth creates employment opportunities at every turn. If you want to participate, you need to start by taking that first step and enroll in a program that will allow you to start learning about the world of health and medicine.