To find which of the types of nursing degrees is right for you, you can use Find Nursing Schools to aid in your search. Consider the cost, the amount of time and the career opportunities that will be available before deciding between degrees like a CNA, BSN, or MSN.
Since nurses are an essential part of the health care system, demand for nurses will continue to rise throughout the country. If you have decided to answer the calling to become a nurse, you may be wondering what your next step is. The first step to becoming a nurse is earning a nursing degree.
From an associate degree to a doctorate, a nurse can earn many types of nursing degrees. Be sure to consider which nursing degree fits your career and lifestyle needs both now and in the future.
Introduction to Nursing Degree Types
It is essential to choose the right nursing degree. With the right nursing degree, you can find fulfillment by making a positive impact as a health care worker. You may also earn career advancement opportunities with a higher level of education. When considering the types of nursing degrees, consider that earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or higher will make you more competitive in the job market and make advancing your career easier. With greater flexibility and a broader range of jobs available, degree type matters.
Overview of Nursing Degree Levels
There are several nursing degree levels you can earn. Nursing degree levels are categorized by levels of education. Each one has a stronger knowledge base for nursing practice and can open different opportunities.
Entry-Level Nursing Degrees and Certificates
If you want to quickly enter the nursing workforce, an entry-level nursing degree or certificate may be right for you. With an entry-level degree or certification, you will not be a licensed registered nurse (RN). You will instead perform basic patient care while under the leadership of an RN.
While an entry-level nursing role can be a great way to jumpstart your career and to gain valuable experience, you will not have as much flexibility and career advancement options compared to a nurse with a higher education level.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) will typically help with a patient’s daily needs, care and tasks like eating, bathing and movement. To qualify to become a CNA, you need a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
You must also complete a training program, usually lasting about 10 to 12 weeks. Intensive training programs can be completed in less time. During training, you will spend hours inside a classroom and a clinic for hands-on experience.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a CNA makes a median annual wage of $39,430. Even though the growth rate is 2%, slower than average, there will still be about 34,400 jobs added from 2024 to 2034.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) provides basic nursing and patient care. You will monitor patient health, along with providing basic treatments.
Even though some of the different nursing levels do not require licensure, becoming an LPN or LVN means that you must pass the NCLEX-PN, a thorough nursing licensure exam. Before you pass your NCLEX-PN, you must complete a practical nursing program, which typically lasts six to 18 months, depending on whether you are in an accelerated program or already have a CNA.
The BLS says the median annual pay of an LPN or LVN is $62,340 and the job growth rate for the next 10 years is about 3%, which matches the growth rate for all occupations.
Undergraduate Nursing Degrees
Since most hospitals prefer nurses with an undergraduate degree, you will have many more job opportunities available to you with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or BSN. You will also have more flexibility and a higher salary range with median annual wage of $93,600, according to the BLS. There will also be an above-average growth in jobs at a 5% with about 189,000 jobs added from 2024 to 2034.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
With an ADN, you will perform typical nursing duties, such as administering medication, assisting patients with treatments and educating patients on health conditions.
An ADN typically takes about two years to complete, but the program can be shorter with an accelerated track or with previous education, like an LPN or LVN degree.
After you earn an ADN, you must take the NCLEX-RN, a thorough nursing exam that assesses your knowledge. Although you can work as a registered nurse with an ADN, many hospitals, including magnet facilities, require that you earn a BSN for advancement opportunities.
Learn more about turning your associate degree into a nursing career.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
It is recommended that nurses earn at least a BSN level of education out of all the nursing degree types to improve hiring and career advancement opportunities. With a BSN, you will receive quality education, labs to practice hands-on skills and clinical experience.
A BSN typically takes about four years to complete; however, you may be able to complete an ABSN program to shorten your graduation time. If you already have a bachelor’s degree or a significant amount of college credits, you may be able to earn your BSN through an ABSN program in 12 to 18 months, depending on program format.
With a BSN, you will perform all the essential duties of a nurse. You may also be able to pursue career advancement into specialized roles like travel nursing, public health nursing or critical care nursing.
Graduate Nursing Degrees
A graduate nursing degree is valuable for pursuing more advanced and specialized positions. You can also earn a higher salary with a graduate nursing degree. Because you will learn more in-depth knowledge and skills, you will be able to take on leadership, administration or research roles to further make a positive impact on your patients.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate nursing degree that allows individuals to focus on specialization and leadership roles. You may focus on specializations, including a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). You can also become a nurse educator or work in a leadership role, such as director of nursing.
Typically, you are required to have a BSN and an RN license before you can pursue an MSN degree, although some programs have alternate requirements for individuals with an ADN. Another option is a Direct Entry MSN program, which is designed to help individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree earn an MSN.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest clinical nursing degree available for a nurse. This prepares nurses by teaching them how to use research in advanced leadership and specialty positions. With a DNP, a nurse will be prepared to be a Chief Nursing Officer or direct any specialized patient care units.
Since it is the highest level of degrees in nursing, most programs require an MSN before a nurse can pursue a DNP.
PhD in Nursing
A nurse with a PhD generally will focus on generating new research to improve the health care field. While studying for a doctorate, a nurse will focus on investigating research that focuses on healthcare practices and policies.
With a PhD in nursing, a nurse can educate new nurses and scientists at a university level or hold administrative positions in the government or health care organizations.
Choosing the Right Nursing Degree for Your Career Goals
When you choose between the different types of nursing degrees, there are many aspects to consider, including the time commitment. Even though it will take more time to earn higher levels of education, higher degrees may offer you more flexibility later.
You will also want to consider the cost of the programs. A CNA training program will typically cost less than a PhD nursing program, so be sure to explore the costs and any available financial aid between different schools and programs. Weigh this against the salary range of your desired career path as well.
Lastly, consider your career goals. Do you want to support your patients with daily care and tasks, or do you want to have a more advanced educational or specialty role?
Learn more about how you can pay for your nursing education through financial aid.
Ready to Learn More About Nursing Degrees?
Choosing a nursing degree that is right for you is an important step. You must choose which degree best suits your cost considerations, time needs and advancement opportunities.
If you have earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or college credits, you might be eligible to enroll in an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and earn your nursing degree in less time.
Fill out the online form to find the right nursing school for you.
