If you are not sure where to start your nursing career, or you are looking for the next step for yourself, this page can be a little guide to nursing degrees and help you find the answers to your questions.
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You need to understand each nursing program and find one that will be right for you.
Here are six different degree levels that you need to know:
- Diploma in practical nursing
- Associate degree
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Post-master’s certificate
- Doctorate
These different types of nursing degrees are available for you. By selecting the program that meets your professional and personal goals, you can prepare yourself for success in a rewarding career.
1. Diploma in Practical Nursing (PN)
When you earn your diploma in practical nursing, you’ll be able to start your career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN).
LPNs can work closely with registered nurses (RNs) and provide general nursing care. Practical nurses have a chance to work closely with physicians in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including doctor’s offices, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and urgent care clinics.
Many nurses start their careers with an LPN before choosing to advance their career and education through an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree program.
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate is a non-degree diploma offered at vocational schools, community colleges, and sometimes at hospitals themselves.
LPN program prepares you to work under the supervision of RNs and perform the following core duties:
- Report patient conditions
- Take vital signs
- Assist with tests, sample collection, and procedures
- Change wound dressings and insert catheters
- Administer medication and injections
- Improve patient comfort
In addition to clinical applications, you can learn about general medical topics such as physiology, anatomy, emergency care, and nutrition. Specialty certifications in areas such as IV therapy, pharmacology, long-term care, or breastfeeding support are also available as well.
LPN is for
An LPN certificate is for students who have begun a nursing career without the time and money wasted in earning a college degree.
LPN certificate could be suitable for you if you’re in one of the following groups:
- Recent high school graduates and want a nursing career without committing to a traditional college degree
- Career changers who can’t afford the downtime required to complete a college degree
- Prospective nurses preparing for admission into a registered nursing program
LPN certificates can be completed in about 12 months, although your time frame may vary. Depending on your criteria, programs can range from seven to 24 months.
With an LPN certificate in hand, you can go on to find nursing jobs in different places. The majority of LPNs work in nursing and residential care facilities. Other typical employment options include administrative and clinical positions in:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Home healthcare services
- Assisted living facilities
- Clinical research facilities
- Diagnostic testing centers
- Government agencies
2. Associate in Nursing (ASN)
Although, you can become a registered nurse (RN) in two years with your associate degree in nursing (ASN).
An Associate in Nursing (ASN) is a minimum degree requirement for becoming a registered nurse (RN).
RNs are the first line of care in many healthcare settings, and they are increasingly in demand as healthcare organizations strive to meet a growing patient population.
Registered nurses also have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as neonatal (NICU), pediatrics, surgical/perioperative or acute care, and oncology.
You can find ASN programs at community colleges and some four-year institutions. Many schools also offer online nursing degrees in hybrid programs that combine virtual instruction with on-site clinical training.
ASN programs can give you the knowledge and experience RNs need to perform the following duties:
- Review patient treatment plans and chart progress
- Assist physicians during exams, surgeries, and other medical procedures
- Run and analyze diagnostics tests
- Dress wounds and incisions
- Supervise LPNs
- Provide patient education on self-care
The curriculum for an ASN also includes studying science-related courses such as biology, anatomy, physiology, and chemistry.
ASN is for
An ASN is a good choice if you want to become an RN without the commitment of a four-year degree.
RNs with associate degrees will eventually need to earn a bachelor’s to maintain their license. Most bachelor’s degree programs will allow you to transfer some of the core credits you received at an accredited ASN.
An ASN might be a suitable choice if you’re in one of the following groups:
- Recent high school graduates and you are planning for a long-term nursing career
- Career changers who you can make the time and financial commitment to earn an RN
- Parents build a career with flexible scheduling and financial security
- LPNs ready to fast-track into RN positions
ASNs typically require around two years to complete. State-approved programs will include extensive on-site clinical training that aligns with your requirements for licensing.
More than half of all RNs go on to work in hospitals, and you can use your ASN credential in many types of environments. Consider pursuing a career in:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Physicians’ offices
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government agencies and the military
- Educational services and schools
- Health insurance companies
- Travel nursing organizations
3. Bachelor’s in Nursing (BSN)
A bachelor’s degree (BSN) is becoming a new educational standard for registered nurses.
Earning a BSN compared to an ASN also opens up opportunities for professional development and career growth in the future.
If your goal is to become a registered nurse, you can achieve it and take your nursing career to the next level.
Earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing is the next step toward becoming an RN.
With a combination of academic classwork and on-site clinical training, you can learn about scientific areas such as biology, anatomy, and chemistry, as well as specific duties related to designing treatment plans, patient care, assisting with surgery, and laboratory testing.
Many schools even offer programs that allow you to earn a BSN degree in a specific nursing specialty, such as geriatric nursing, acute care, pediatrics, infectious disease, and psychiatry.
BSN is for
If you are ready to work as an RN, a BSN could be a good choice if you have the time and financial resources to commit to four years.
The BSN is also an ideal starting point if your ultimate goal is to earn a master’s degree and work as an advanced practice nurse.
Depending on your situation, you can find a traditional program or one designed to apply the education you have already earned.
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How can you earn your BSN?
There are a lot of different paths for you to follow as you seek your BSN. You can choose from traditional post-secondary programs or programs that fast-track your degree using the knowledge you already have.
- Traditional BSN
- LPN-to-BSN
- RN-to-BSN
- Second Degree BSN
Traditional BSN programs require four years of full-time study.
Students with an LPN or RN license, or a bachelor’s degree in another field, may qualify for alternative BSN programs that can graduate in one to two years.
Since many working nurses are pursuing a BSN degree for career advancement, there are many flexible part-time and online options, although they can increase the amount of study time.
With this degree, specialized skills, and your additional clinical experience, you can find many less traditional roles:
- Case manager
- Forensic nurse
- Legal nurse consultant
- Home health nurse
- Mid-level nurse administrator
- Nursing informatics specialist
- Occupational health nurse
- Parish nurse
- Public health nurse
- School nurse
After earning your BSN and becoming a registered nurse, you can reach the next level in nursing by earning your master’s degree.
4. Master’s in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a training program designed for nurses who want to work in a specialized role known as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
The curriculum of the MSN program is much more specialized than the general nursing degree. You’ll study a particular specialty in-depth, taking advanced courses in leadership, management, healthcare policy, and research.
When you earn a Master’s degree in nursing – MSN, you can advance your nursing career and expand your scope of practice. You can get three popular MSN specialties:
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse in higher practice who has completed a master’s degree or higher and represents a higher level of responsibility and autonomy than registered nurses. NPs provide an advanced level of care that includes health prevention, health promotion, wellness, and disease management, treating and diagnosing acute, chronic, or episodic illnesses.
Nurse Educator (NE)
Nurse educators have an important role in the hospital system. Their depth of knowledge and experience in the field means they understand how to communicate critical and life-saving information to other nurses. It can help improve processes to reduce risks to the patient, the nurse, and the hospital.
Nurse Leadership and Administration
Healthcare organizations need experienced nursing leaders to help them navigate the changing technology and healthcare landscape. Earning an MSN degree in nurse leadership can help you advance into different leadership positions, from overseeing a nursing unit to leading the entire nursing department. Possible nursing management job titles include Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Nursing, or Healthcare Manager.
MSN is for:
Requirements vary by program but MSNs designed for licensed RNs who have already completed a bachelor’s-level education.
You can be qualified for an MSN program if you’re in one of the following groups:
- Students with accredited BSN degrees and current RN licenses
- RNs with extensive clinical experience but no BSN
- Career changers and bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing but related fields.
Students who start an MSN program with a BSN degree usually need about two years to complete their degree. If you are entering MSN with or without a BSN or a bachelor’s degree in another field, you will need about three years.
With an MSN degree, you can be prepared to work as an APRN in your area of concentration.
5. Post-master’s nursing certificates (PMC)
Master’s level certificates allow working nurses to further their higher education by gaining more specialized knowledge and experience.
6. Doctoral degree
If you want an advanced degree in nursing, you need to enroll in a doctoral program in nursing.
There are a few different types of doctoral degrees in nursing:
- Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.)
- Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS or DNSc)
DNP students must complete a minimum number of clinical hours and a research project.
You can earn a DNP degree and expand your knowledge across all nursing disciplines.
As you can see, you can choose from many different types of nurses and nursing specialties. Every specialty has its own set of educational and clinical requirements.
Choose one of them and get your nursing degree.
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