In America the certification and licensure of nurses is carried out by state governments through the state's Board of Nursing. This governmental body decides on the various requirements for becoming a licensed nurse and other policies and initiatives. Due to the state's Board of Nursing being in charge of nursing, there are small differences between states. For example, Licensed Practical Nurses are called Licensed Vocational Nurses in Texas and California. Also, since the state is in charge, the overall employment and job situation is different state by state.
On this site, you will find a description of the prospects of a nursing career in various states. The actions of the respective state's Board of Nursing is discussed, plus other factors such as the overall job security, salary packages, and career opportunities are explored state by state. There are some states which have counties that are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) by the federal government. Such counties and their states receive federal funding to help promote nursing careers.
Under each state's listing you will also find some schools that you can request information about. It is a good idea to request information from a couple different schools to get a feeling for what each school offers and to help in your decision of which one to apply for. The process of picking a school should not be taken lightly; it is an important decision that will affect you for the coming years. These schools have been screened to make sure only quality educational institutions are presented. We hope that this information is helpful in your pursuit of bettering yourself and furthering you career as a nurse.
