What nursing jobs are and where to find them

A nursing job is a position in healthcare where you provide direct patient care, administer medications, monitor vital signs, and work with doctors and other medical staff. Nursing roles exist in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies, schools, and other settings. The most common entry point is a Registered Nurse (RN) position, which requires a nursing degree and a state license. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are other common roles that require less education but also have different responsibilities and pay.

You can find nursing job openings on general job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter, but healthcare-specific sites like NursingJobs.com, Nurse.com, and Health eCareers often have more focused listings. Many hospitals and health systems post jobs directly on their own websites. Staffing agencies that specialize in nursing placements can also connect you with temporary or permanent positions, though they typically take a percentage of your pay or charge the employer a fee.

Key Takeaways

  • Nursing jobs require a state license, which means completing an accredited nursing program and passing a licensing exam before you can work.
  • The type of nursing role you pursue determines your education path: RN positions typically require an associate or bachelor's degree, while LPN roles require a shorter certificate or associate program.
  • Job boards specific to healthcare, hospital career pages, and nursing staffing agencies are the most direct sources for nursing positions.
  • Most nursing jobs require you to pass a background check and drug screening, and some positions have shift work or on-call requirements.

Education and licensing requirements before you can work

You cannot work as a nurse without a state license. To get licensed, you must first complete an accredited nursing program. For an RN, this means earning either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from a community college, which typically takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a four-year university. An LPN requires a certificate or associate degree program, usually one to two years. A CNA typically requires a short certificate program, often just a few weeks to a few months.

After you finish your program, you take a licensing exam. For RNs, this is the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses). For LPNs, it is the NCLEX-PN. For CNAs, the exam varies by state—some states require it, others do not. You must pass the exam to receive your license from your state's nursing board. Once licensed, you can legally work as a nurse in that state. If you move to another state, you may need to explore for licensure there as well, though many states have reciprocal agreements that make this faster.

How to prepare your process and resume

Nursing employers expect your resume to show your license number, the state that issued it, and the expiration date. Include your nursing degree, the school you attended, and your graduation date. List any certifications beyond your basic license—for example, BLS (Basic Life Support) certification, ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), or specialty certifications like critical care or pediatrics. These certifications often make you more competitive and may lead to higher pay.

Include your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. For each position, describe what you did in concrete terms: "Monitored vital signs for 12 patients per shift," "Administered medications under RN supervision," or "Assisted with patient hygiene and comfort care." Employers want to know the size of your patient load, the type of patients you cared for, and the specific tasks you performed. If you are new to nursing, include clinical rotations or internships from your nursing program, describing the units you worked on and the skills you practiced.

Cover letters are less common in nursing than in other fields, but a short note explaining why you are interested in that specific facility or role can help. Many hospitals use online process systems that ask screening questions about your availability, shift preferences, and willingness to work weekends or holidays. Answer these honestly—misrepresenting your availability can lead to problems after you are hired.

What to expect during the hiring process

Most nursing positions require a background check and drug screening before you start work. The background check typically looks at criminal history, and some employers also check your credit history or driving record depending on the role. The drug screening is usually a urine test done at a lab. Both of these can take one to three weeks, so do not expect to start work when ready after receiving a job offer.

Many hospitals conduct phone or video interviews first, followed by an in-person interview with a nurse manager or recruiter. Be prepared to describe a time you handled a difficult patient, made a mistake and how you corrected it, or worked as part of a team. These are common nursing interview questions. Some facilities also ask you to take a skills assessment or a written test about nursing knowledge, especially if you are new to the field.

After you pass the interview and background check, you will receive an offer letter that states your start date, shift, unit, and pay rate. Most nursing positions include a probationary period, usually 90 days, during which you can be terminated more easily than after that period ends. During this time, you will likely have orientation and training specific to that facility.

Different nursing roles and where they work

A Registered Nurse (RN) is the most common nursing role and can work in almost any healthcare setting. RNs assess patients, develop care plans, administer medications, and coordinate with other staff. Pay and responsibilities vary widely depending on the setting and specialty. Hospital RNs often work 12-hour shifts and may rotate between day, evening, and night shifts. Clinic RNs typically work standard business hours. Home health RNs visit patients in their homes and manage their own schedules.

A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) performs many of the same tasks as an RN but with less autonomy and typically under RN supervision. LPNs work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and home health. They usually earn less than RNs but require less education. A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides basic patient care like bathing, dressing, and toileting. CNAs work in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health and are often the entry point into nursing for people without a college degree.

Specialty roles include Critical Care Nurses in intensive care units, Pediatric Nurses who work with children, Psychiatric Nurses in mental health settings, and School Nurses who work in schools. Each specialty requires additional training or certification beyond your basic nursing license, and many pay more than general nursing positions.

Pay, shifts, and working conditions

Nursing pay varies by location, experience, education level, and specialty. RNs generally earn more than LPNs, who earn more than CNAs. Hospitals typically pay more than clinics or nursing homes. Shift work is common in nursing—many positions require you to work evenings, nights, or weekends. Some facilities use rotating shifts where you work different times each week. Others allow you to pick a consistent shift. On-call positions, where you are called in if the facility is short-staffed, are also common, especially in smaller facilities.

Nursing is physically and emotionally demanding work. You will spend much of your shift on your feet, lifting and moving patients, and dealing with illness, pain, and sometimes death. Burnout is common in nursing, especially in high-stress settings like emergency departments or intensive care units. Many facilities offer benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement for further education, and shift differentials (extra pay for working nights or weekends). Some also offer loan forgiveness programs or sign-on bonuses, especially for hard-to-fill positions or in rural areas.

Paths forward if you do not have a nursing degree yet

If you want to become a nurse but do not have a degree, start by researching nursing programs in your area. Community colleges typically offer the fastest and most affordable path to an RN license through a two-year ADN program. Universities offer four-year BSN programs, which take longer but may lead to more job options and higher pay in the long run. Some employers offer tuition reimbursement or loan forgiveness if you commit to working for them for a set period after graduation.

If you want to start working in healthcare right away, consider becoming a CNA first. CNA programs are short and inexpensive, and working as a CNA gives you real healthcare experience, helps you decide if nursing is right for you, and often leads to employer support for nursing school. Many hospitals prefer to hire CNAs into their RN programs because they already understand the work environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bachelor's degree to become a nurse?

No. You can become an RN with an associate degree from a community college, which takes two years. A bachelor's degree takes four years and may open more job options or lead to higher pay, but it is not required to work as an RN. Both paths lead to the same licensing exam.

How long does it take to get a nursing license after I finish my program?

After you graduate, you can take the licensing exam. Most people receive their exam results within a few days to a week. Once you pass, your state nursing board issues your license, which usually takes one to two weeks. The entire process from graduation to working as a licensed nurse typically takes three to four weeks.

Can I work as a nurse in a different state than where I got my license?

Yes, but you need a license in that state. Many states have reciprocal agreements that allow you to transfer your license quickly and inexpensively. Some states require you to explore separately. Contact the nursing board in the state where you want to work to learn their specific process.

What if I have a criminal record or failed a drug test in the past?

A criminal record or past drug use does not automatically disqualify you from nursing, but it depends on the offense, when it occurred, and your state's rules. Some facilities are stricter than others. Contact your state nursing board to learn what they consider disqualifying, and be honest with employers during the process process.

Do nursing jobs always require shift work?

Most hospital and nursing home positions include shift work, but not all. Clinic nursing, school nursing, and some home health positions often have standard daytime hours. If shift work is not something you want, look for positions in clinics, schools, or outpatient settings rather than hospitals or 24-hour facilities.