Types of Nursing Degrees and Careers

Nursing careers offer a wide variety of opportunities to those interested in healthcare. The multiple paths explored below describe several popular career options, educational timelines, and salaries. Explore each degree’s page for more information and learn about nursing specialties as well. Use this guide to align your interests, available time, financial commitment, and career goals with the next step in your nursing career!

Median annual wages collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median wages represent the middle: half of those reporting made less than this and half made more. Citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
*The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide data on the difference in income between ADN and BSN RNs. As described below, BSN RNs are eligible to work with all types of patients and to advance into leadership roles including charge nurse and nurse educator.
**APRNs include nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthesiologists (CRNAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). Pay varies significantly between these specialties.

Which Nursing Degree is Best for Me?

You can start your journey in nursing by identifying your priorities in the chart below. Note which educational levels best support your goals. Then scroll down to read more about those programs. Whether defining your dream career or advancing your nursing practice, reading and reacting to these statements can help you clarify your next step.

If you have previous experience or any degree in nursing or another field, please explore the nursing bridge, direct-entry, and accelerated programs as well. These programs can often offer the most efficient path possible in nursing education.

Entry-Level Nursing and Medical Careers

What is a Certified Nursing Assistant?

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) provides patient care under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). CNAs are also called nursing assistants, nursing aides, or patient care assistants. CNAs are certified through learning programs and licensing requirements that vary by state. These requirements can usually be completed within four to 12 weeks.

CNAs and nursing aides are often responsible for answering patient call lights, assisting patients with activities of daily living, including toileting and bathing, taking vital signs, and more. People who enjoy working with patients as part of a team may find this career rewarding. Working as a CNA can also be a good option for those who don’t want to commit to two- or four-year nursing programs.

What is a Certified Medical Assistant?

A certified medical assistant (CMA), or medical assistant (MA), supports healthcare providers in outpatient clinics. CMAs are required to have a high school diploma and complete a certification program, which are at least eight months long. CMAs perform clinical and/or clerical duties. Some tasks that may be assigned to a CMA include taking vital signs, asking patients about their health history, completing patient records and forms for insurance purposes, and communicating with laboratories, pharmacies, and medical suppliers. Working as a CMA can provide an introduction to healthcare for those who are curious about pursuing a nursing certification or degree.

What is a Licensed Practical Nurse?

An LPN (licensed practical nurse) provides nursing care to patients under the direction of a physician or a registered nurse in inpatient and outpatient settings. LPNs are known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in California and Texas. LPNs/LVNs have defined scopes of practice in each state, but many are responsible for assessing and recording vital signs, administering medications, and providing personal care to patients. LPN/LVN programs take one to two years to complete. Practical and vocational nurses usually do not work in areas where patients are likely to be medically complex and require specialty medications. For people interested in nursing but not ready to commit to the time and cost of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, the relatively short path to begin work as an LPN is appealing.

Paths to Becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) and Beyond

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

Earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the fastest track to becoming a registered nurse, as an ADN program can be completed in as little as 18 months. After graduation, you are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination-registered nurse) and become a registered nurse (RN). The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) degrees also enable graduates to become RNs. Nursing careers for ADN, ASN, and AAS RNs are usually in sub-acute or post-acute care, where patients are more stable and less likely to need critical care interventions. While many employers prefer to hire RNs with a BSN, nurses with an associate’s degree are eligible to apply for many job openings. RNs wishing to earn their BSN through a bridge program may receive tuition assistance from their employers.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is becoming the industry standard for registered nurses. Traditional BSN programs take four years, though there are accelerated options as well. BSN RNs take care of patients at all acuity levels, including intensive care. Nurses with BSN degrees are also eligible to advance into leadership positions, such as charge nurse, nurse educator, and some nurse manager positions. RNs interested in pursuing the additional degrees below will be expected – and in some cases required – to have their BSN.

Graduate Degree Options and Advanced Practice Careers

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Registered nurses with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) work as educators, leaders, and independent practitioners in their field. MSN programs usually require students to have completed a BSN, but there are direct-entry and bridge programs as well. MSN programs are two to four years long and have different types of curriculums for different specialties. Nurse educators and managers usually complete leadership-focused MSNs. An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is an RN who has completed a specialized master’s program and earned additional certification. The four types of APRNs in the U.S. are nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the terminal nursing degree – the highest degree available in the field. DNP graduates serve as educators, researchers, and executives and/or provide patient care with the largest scope of practice available to RNs. Doctorate programs can last from one to four years, depending on the specialty. Most programs require students to have their MSNs. Bridge options for those with a BSN are available but less common. A variety of DNP programs are available for several focus areas: leadership, public health, teaching, healthcare policy, and more, as well as for the four advanced practice nursing careers: nurse practitioners (NPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs).

A PhD in Nursing (Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing) prepares RNs for roles in research and academia. A nurse researcher with a PhD can create and lead studies in labs, clinics, or across institutions. PhD programs usually last four to six years and are similar to DNP programs as they offer different focus areas such as healthcare policy, public health, global health, and more.

Read the Registered Nurse Career Overview if you want more information about RNs. The field of nursing has a huge variety of career options, and most start with becoming an RN!