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With so many types of nursing degrees available, it’s important to understand how each program works so you can find the one that’s right for you. Whether you’re a recent high school graduate, experienced professional, or career changer, making the right decision means considering each option against your goals, financial resources, and lifestyle.
In This Article
Certified Nursing Assistant | LPN/LVN | Associate Degree in Nursing | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Master of Science in Nursing | Joint Master’s | Doctorate
We’ve compiled a descriptive list of the different types of nursing degrees available and what they involve in regards to program content, length of time, and job potential. By selecting the program that meets your personal and professional goals, you’ll position yourself for success in the rewarding field of nursing.
Nurse Degree Pathways
How long each level of nursing takes and what you can do with your degree
CNA Certificate or Diploma
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate is a nondegree diploma offered at community colleges and vocational schools. Both classroom and online options are available, though all clinical hours must be performed in person at an approved location.
As a CNA student, you’ll learn how to provide basic healthcare services and help patients with their daily activities. Other duties typically include:
- Transferring patients in and out of bed
- Bathing and feeding patients
- Taking vital signs
- Recording patient data
- Communicating with family members
- Changing bedding
The curriculum includes training in emergency procedures, personal care skills, and infection control. To increase your employment options, you can also earn voluntary certification in specialized areas such as psychiatry or geriatrics.
Who It’s For
CNA certificates are designed to get students into the nursing field as quickly as possible. Prerequisites vary by program, but most include a high school diploma or GED.
A CNA certificate might be right for you if you fall into one of the following groups:
- Recent high school graduates who want a nursing career without attending a traditional college program
- Future nurses interested in gaining experience before applying to a more advanced nursing program
- Career changers seeking to explore the various possibilities in healthcare
- Parents, caregivers, and those with other responsibilities that require a flexible schedule
Length of Time
A CNA certificate is the fastest way to qualify for an entry-level nursing position.
While the exact education requirements vary by state, federal guidelines for CNA certificate programs require at least 75 hours of education, with a minimum of 16 hours of supervised clinical training.
Most CNA programs can be completed in just four to twelve weeks.
What You Can Do with This Certificate
After earning a state-approved certificate, you’ll be qualified to take your state’s CNA competency exam. With certification, you can apply for jobs in which you’ll work with patients under the direction of a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse, depending on the laws of your state.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most nursing assistants—roughly 37%— work in nursing care facilities such as skilled nursing facilities. Other employers include:
- Hospitals
- Continuing care retirement communities
- Assisted living facilities for the elderly
- Home healthcare services
What You Can Earn
$30,720Average Annual Salary for CNAs
Per the BLS, CNAs across the country earn an average annual wage of $30,720, with those working in medical and surgical hospitals making slightly above average.
LPN/LVN Certificate or Diploma
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate is a nondegree diploma offered at vocational schools, community colleges, and sometimes at hospitals themselves. In Texas and California, this role is known as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).
Both LPN and LVN programs prepare you to work under the supervision of RNs and perform the following key duties:
- Take vital signs
- Report patient conditions
- Change wound dressings and insert catheters
- Assist with tests, sample collection, and procedures
- Administer medication and injections
- Improve patient comfort
In addition to clinical applications, you’ll also learn about general medical topics that include anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and emergency care. Specialty certifications in areas such as IV therapy, long-term care, pharmacology, and breastfeeding support are also available.
Who It’s For
An LPN/LVN certificate is for students who want to enter the nursing field without the time and cost of earning a college degree. In contrast to a CNA diploma, the LPN certificate represents mastery of a more comprehensive body of knowledge. In many states, LPNs and LVNs qualify to supervise CNAs.
An LPN/LVN certificate could be right for you if you’re in one of the following groups:
- Recent high school graduates who want a nursing career without committing to a traditional college degree
- CNAs ready to expand their responsibilities and job opportunities
- Career changers who can’t afford the downtime required to complete a college degree
- Prospective nurses preparing for admission into a registered nursing program
Many LPNs eventually go on to earn advanced degrees. Because of this, it’s important to earn an LPN/LVN certificate from an accredited nursing program. In many cases, credits earned in a nonaccredited program won’t be eligible for transfer to a higher degree.
Length of Time
Most LPN/LVN certificates can be completed in about 12 months, though your timing may vary. State-approved programs provide the number of clinical hours necessary to meet the certification requirements of your state. Depending on your criteria, programs can range between seven and 24 months.
What You Can Do with This Certificate
With an LPN/LVN certificate, you’ll be qualified to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, for LPNs. Passing this exam and meeting your state-specific requirements will make you eligible for licensing.
With your certificate in hand, you can go on to find jobs in a number of different places. According to the BLS, the majority of LPNs and LVNs work in nursing and residential care facilities. Other common employment options include administrative and clinical positions in locations such as:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Home healthcare services
- Assisted living facilities
- Clinical research facilities
- Diagnostic testing centers
- Government agencies
What You Can Earn
$48,500Average Annual Salary for LPNs and LVNs
According to the BLS, LPNs and LVNs earn an average annual wage of $48,500.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the minimum degree requirement for becoming a registered nurse (RN). As an RN, you’ll have the credentials necessary to qualify for most nursing jobs that involve providing critical patient care and assisting physicians.
You’ll find ADN programs at community colleges and some four-year institutions. Some schools also offer online nursing degrees in hybrid programs that combine virtual instruction with on-site clinical training.
ADN programs will give you the knowledge and experience RNs need to perform the following duties:
- Assist physicians during exams, surgeries, and other medical procedures
- Dress wounds and incisions
- Run and analyze diagnostics tests
- Review patient treatment plans and chart progress
- Supervise LPNs, LVNs, and CNAs
- Provide patient education on self-care
The curriculum for an ADN also includes studying science-related courses such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, and physiology.
Who It’s For
An ADN from an accredited nursing school is a good choice if you want to become an RN without the commitment of a four-year degree. It’s important to note, however, that while this is the minimum education for licensing, employers are increasingly making a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees a requirement for new hires. In some states, RNs with associate degrees will eventually need to earn a bachelor’s in order to maintain their license. The good news is that most bachelor’s programs will allow you to transfer some basic credits earned from your accredited ADN.
An ADN might be the right choice if you’re in one of the following groups:
- Recent high school graduates who are planning for a long-term nursing career
- Career changers who can make the time and financial commitment to earn an RN
- Parents who want a career with flexible scheduling and financial security
- CNAs and LPNs ready to fast-track into RN positions
Length of Time
ADNs typically require around two years to complete. State-approved programs will include the extensive on-site clinical training that aligns with your state’s requirements for licensing.
What You Can Do with This Degree
Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing will make you eligible to take the NCLEX-RN, a prerequisite for RN licensure in all U.S. states. With RNs in high demand, nurses can often then secure jobs that offer tuition reimbursement to continue their nursing education at a reduced personal expense.
After earning their license, the BLS says more than half of all RNs go on to work in hospitals, but you can use your 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
What You Can Earn
$77,460Average Annual Salary for Nurses
Salaries for nurses vary widely depending on their education, level of experience, setting in which they work, and any specialty they may have. That said, the BLS reports the average annual salary for RNs to be $77,460. Those working in high-level roles within the government, research facilities, or pharmaceutical companies could earn significantly more.
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Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year degree designed for RNs who want to pursue supervisory roles and qualify for higher-paying jobs.With a combination of academic classwork and on-site clinical training, you’ll learn about scientific areas such as anatomy, biology, and chemistry, as well as specific duties related to patient care, laboratory testing, designing treatment plans, and assisting with surgery.
Some schools even offer programs that allow you to earn a BSN in a particular specialty of nursing such as acute care, geriatric nursing, infectious disease, pediatrics, and psychiatry, just to name a few. Specializing can often increase your job opportunities and potential earnings.
Who It’s For
If you’re ready to work as a RN, a BSN could be right for you if you have the time and financial resources to commit to four years. A BSN is also an ideal starting place if your ultimate goal is to earn a master’s degree and work as an advanced practice nurse.
However, as the demand for nurses with BSNs grows, more schools are catering to students interested in categories beyond those listed above. Depending on your situation, you can find a traditional program or one designed to apply education you’ve already earned.
Ways to Earn Your BSN
There are a number of different paths for you to follow as you seek your BSN—from traditional programs you can enter into right out of high school, to programs that fast-track your degree using the knowledge you may already have.
Traditional BSN
Traditional BSN degree programs are intended for recent high school graduates who have little to no professional healthcare experience. Requirements are similar to other bachelor’s degree programs, though specific science prerequisites may be necessary.
LPN-to-BSN
LPN-to-BSN degree programs, often called “bridge programs,” allow LPNs/LVNs to get degree credit for their previous education and experience. For these students, earning a BSN usually requires taking liberal arts coursework not offered in LPN/LVN programs.
RN-to-BSN
RN-to-BSN degree programs—sometimes called ADN-to-BSN programs—are designed for RNs who already have an associate’s degree. Graduates of accredited ADN programs often transfer educational credits to meet some of the BSN course requirements, meaning they can earn their bachelor’s in less time.
Second Degree BSN
Second degree BSNs are meant for career changers who hold a previous bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field. These programs allow students to satisfy some of the BSN’s liberal arts requirements by transferring credits from their first degree, again shortening the length of time.
Length of Time
Traditional BSN programs require four years of full-time study. Students who have LPN or RN licensing, or a bachelor’s degree in a different field, might qualify for alternative BSN programs that could be completed in one to two years.
Since so many working RNs pursue BSNs for career advancement, there are many flexible part-time and online options, though they may add to your time to completion.
What You Can Do with This Degree
If you don’t already have your RN license from a previous associate degree, earning a BSN will qualify you to sit for the required NCLEX-RN licensing exam. With job growth for RNs predicted to grow by 7% through 2029, you’re likely to find a wide range of job opportunities with this degree.
More than half of RNs work in hospitals, though with your additional clinical experience and any specialized skills, you can find a variety of less traditional roles. These could include:
- 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
What You Can Earn
$77,460Average Annual Salary for RNs
As with RNs with associate’s degree, salaries vary based on a number of different factors. While the average for all RNs is $77,460, those in the top 10% earn more than $111,000 per year. With a BSN, you can often expect to make more than with an associate degree.
Master of Science in Nursing
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is a graduate program of study designed for nurses who want to practice in a specialized role known as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
The curriculum is an MSN program that’s far more tailored than a general nursing degree. You’ll dive deep into a concentrated area of study while taking advanced courses in topics such as leadership, management, healthcare policy, and research.
Who It’s For
Requirements vary by program, but MSNs are typically designed for licensed RNs who have already completed a bachelor’s-level education.
You might qualify 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 with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing but related fields
Ways to Earn Your MSN
There are other pathways to a master’s degree, including:
RN-to-MSN
Some MSN programs offer admission to RNs with associate degrees, allowing them to achieve an MSN without having to spend four years earning a separate BSN (which is the traditional prerequisite for an MSN.) An RN-to-MSN bridge program still teaches the material you would have learned if you received a BSN. They are fast-paced and intense, and designed for students who want to complete their degree quickly.
BSN-to-MSN
A BSN-to-MSN program is essentially the same as a traditional MSN program, since a BSN is a prerequisite. These bridge programs are often marketed as “fast-track” programs, and will often include MSN generalist programs or programs in non-clinical specializations, like nursing education or nursing administration, which typically require fewer clinical hours for completion.
Length of Time
Students who begin MSN programs with a BSN typically take about two years to complete their degree. If you’re pursuing an MSN without BSN credentials or with a bachelor’s in another field, you can expect roughly three years.
What You Can Do With This Degree
With an MSN, you’ll be prepared to work as an APRN in your area of concentration. To do so, you’ll need to hold a state license as an RN as well as a national credential in your specialty. Specializations vary by program, but common options include the following:
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner’s (NP) duties are similar to those of physicians. While some states require NPs to work under a physician’s supervision, NPs have more responsibility for diagnosing and treating patients than traditional RNs. Some industry associations have considered making a DNP the entry-level degree for nurse practitioners by 2025, although this is not yet required.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Working as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) involves applying advanced training and education to a specific patient group or type of treatment. The specialty area of a CNS can be defined by a specific population, disease, type of care, or treatment setting. There’s buzz within the industry that by 2030 a DNP may be the entry-level degree required for CNSs, but that has not been formally decided.
Certified Nurse Midwife
The role of a certified nurse midwife (CNM) includes working with mothers during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum phases. CNMs are considered primary providers in all 50 states.
Certified Nurse Anesthetist
A certified nurse anesthetist (CNA) works closely with physicians to safely administer anesthesia prior to procedures, monitor the patient during surgery, oversee the recovery, and develop plans for pain management. By 2025, a doctoral degree will be required to become a nurse anesthetist.
What You Can Earn
$111,840Average Annual Salary for Nurse Practitioners $108,810Average Annual Salary for Certified Nurse Midwives $181,040Average Annual Salary for Certified Nurse Anesthetists $77,460Average Annual Salary for Clinical Nurse Specialists
The salaries of APRNs vary depending on the exact job title, where they work, and level of responsibility. As of 2019, the BLS offers these general guidelines for average salaries:
- Nurse practitioner: $111,840
- Certified nurse midwives: $108,810
- Certified nurse anesthetists: $181,040
- Clinical nurse specialist: $77,460
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data (May, 2019), not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.
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