‘The skills you need to work’: How to get your nursing career started at Dixie Tech

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Have you ever thought, “I’d love to become a nurse, but I don’t want to spend years in school and go thousands of dollars into debt”?

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

What many people don’t realize is that there are two nursing positions on the pathway to becoming a registered nurse that provide the opportunity to work in the field sooner, make a good income and minimize unnecessary debt. And the greatest benefit – both job roles are in high demand in Southern Utah!

To become a registered nurse, you first become a certified nursing assistant, or CNA. Once a CNA, a person can become a licensed practical nurse, or LPN, if they choose. This takes approximately one year of additional schooling. 

Every nursing student goes through the coursework necessary to become a practical nurse, but not everyone chooses to receive the licensure and work as an LPN. These two steps (becoming a CNA and learning everything needed to be an LPN) are on the pathway to becoming a registered nurse. 

At Dixie Tech, we offer both a nursing assistant and practical nursing program at a fraction of the cost and time it would take you to do training elsewhere. For example, we have an accelerated CNA course that takes as little as four weeks to complete! If a slower pace is better for your circumstances, you can choose from our eight-week or 18-week courses. 

If you are in high school (as young as age 16) and want to jump-start your nursing career, you can attend Dixie Tech and have your tuition expenses waived. Join one of the early morning CNA cohorts and still participate in your regular high school experience. At Dixie Tech, we wanted to create a way to help as many people as possible get into this in-demand field. 

Students experience hands-on learning in skilled trades at Dixie Technical College, St. George, Utah, date not specified | Photo courtesy of Dixie Technical College, St. George News

“Becoming a CNA and then LPN are necessary for advancing in the nursing field,” said Jan Call, a practical nursing instructor at Dixie Tech. “But advancing isn’t a requirement … there are hundreds of jobs available locally for a CNA or LPN as well. These programs can prepare you with the skills you need to work in the field right now, as well as prepare you for a future career in advanced practice, leadership, education or informatics.”

Many LPN positions start at $24 per hour. Once a person is a licensed practical nurse, they can then transfer to an RN program and finish one additional year of schooling to become a registered nurse. Once an RN, starting wages increase to $30 per hour. 

Dixie Tech’s practical nursing program has connections with Utah Tech University, Southern Utah University, Weber State University and Utah Valley University’s registered nursing programs. We can help you transition to the next step in your nursing career if you choose to continue your education.

We are proud of the programs we offer! Come and see for yourself at our medical programs open house Oct. 27 from 5-7 p.m. at Dixie Tech. Check out our website, DixieTech.edu, or give us a call at 435-674-8419. Let us help you get your nursing career started!

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Resources

  • Dixie Technical College | Address: 610 S. Tech Ridge Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-674-8400 | Website.

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