Healthcare career-path guides
Plain-English summaries of how to enter each healthcare role: education, licensing, exams, timeline, and links to current job openings. No email gate, no upsell to a partner school. If you want to skip the guide and look at jobs directly, browse the specialty list.
How to become a Registered Nurse (RN)
ADN or BSN → NCLEX-RN → state license. ~3.3M practicing RNs nationally.
How to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
RN → MSN/DNP (FNP/AGNP/PMHNP/etc.) → national cert + state APRN license.
How to become a Physician Assistant (PA)
Bachelor's + 1-3k clinical hours → PA school (~27 mo) → PANCE + state license.
How to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
RN + ICU experience → DNP/DNAP (36 mo) → NBCRNA cert. Highest-paid nursing role.
How to become a Pharmacist (PharmD)
Pre-pharm undergrad → 4-year PharmD → NAPLEX + MPJE → state license.
How to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN)
Practical-nursing program (12-18 mo) → NCLEX-PN → state license.
How to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
75-150 hour state-approved training → state competency exam → registry listing.
How to become a Physical Therapist (PT/DPT)
Bachelor's + ~150 observation hours → DPT (3 yr) → NPTE → state license.
How to become a Respiratory Therapist (RRT)
Associate or bachelor's in RT → NBRC TMC + CSE exams → state license.
How to become a Medical Assistant (MA)
Postsecondary certificate (~12 mo) or on-the-job training → optional CMA/RMA cert.
How to become a Surgical Technologist (CST)
Accredited program (12-24 mo) → NBSTSA CST exam → (state recognition where required).
How to become a Radiologic Technologist (RT)
AS in radiologic tech (~24 mo) → ARRT(R) exam → state license + modality specialty.
How to become an Occupational Therapist (OTR/L)
Bachelor's + 40-60 observation hours → MOT or OTD → NBCOT exam → state license.
How to become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Bachelor's (CSD or w/ prereqs) → Master's in SLP → CF + Praxis → CCC-SLP + state license.
How to become an EMT or Paramedic
EMT-B (~150h) → AEMT (~250h) → Paramedic (1-2 yr) → NREMT cert + state license.
How to become a Phlebotomist
Phlebotomy certificate (4-12 weeks) → optional national cert (CPT/RPT) → first job.
How to become a Dental Hygienist (RDH)
CODA-accredited program (2-4 yr) → NBDHE + state clinical exam → RDH license.
How to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Master's in nutrition + ACEND supervised practice → CDR exam → RDN + state license.
How to become an Audiologist (AuD)
Bachelor's + prereqs → 4-year AuD → Praxis + ASHA CCC-A → state license.
How to become a Genetic Counselor (CGC)
Bachelor's + prereqs + counseling exposure → ACGC master's (~2 yr) → ABGC → license (jurisdiction-dependent).