By Dr. Stacey Malinowski | 07/09/2024
If you are considering a career in nursing or as a healthcare provider, you have probably noticed by now that there are a lot of different levels of nursing degrees and licenses out there.
So, what are all these nursing education programs? Which ones might be the most appropriate for your career goals?
Certified Nursing Assistant Programs
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a hands-on, direct patient care provider who assists clients with essential daily functions. These daily functions may include basic needs, such as bathing, hygiene, nutrition, and other everyday activities. CNAs may sometimes be referred to as “nursing aides.”
Certified nursing assistants are trained to measure vital signs. Depending on the scopes of practice set forth by their states and the environments in which they work, CNAs may also participate in medication administration.
Some states allow nursing assistants to draw blood, insert catheters, take a patient's blood pressure, and check blood sugar levels. Certified nursing assistants can often look for positions in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, medical offices, and even schools. To become a CNA, you must have a high school diploma or GED, attend a state-approved certified nursing assistant program, and pass a CNA certification exam.
Practical Nursing Programs for LPNs
A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is someone who has completed a practical nursing program. This credential can typically be earned through a community college or vocational/technical school. You may also hear a licensed practical nurse referred to as a “licensed vocational nurse” or “LVN,” depending on the state in which you live.
Licensed practical nurses perform direct patient care. Their work includes checking vital signs, doing some medication administration, and performing assessments under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN). LPNs often are employed in long-term care settings, schools, hospitals, and clinics.
Practical nursing programs are shorter than traditional registered nurse programs. In fact, they are often one year in length. To become an LPN, you need to have a high school diploma or GED, complete an approved LPN program, and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN®).
Practical nursing licenses are offered by each state’s board of nursing. If you are interested in becoming an LPN, you will want to check with your state board to make sure you meet any additional criteria for licensure that may be required upon completion of your program. For instance, you might be required to complete a drug test or pass a criminal background check.
While you may earn college credit for attending an LPN program, it is important to note that the LPN is not a college degree, but a non-degree award. The LPN designation is a professional credential earned by passing the licensure exam, not for completing the training program.
Other Nursing Programs
When people use the word "nurse," they most commonly are referring to a registered nurse (RN). Registered nurses make up the largest segment of the nursing profession.
The need for registered nurses continues to grow, and we are already experiencing a serious shortage within the nursing profession.
Diploma Nursing
Diploma nursing programs are the minimal educational programs for obtaining licensure as a registered nurse. These types of hospital-based training programs were actually the real first nursing training programs in the country.
Diploma programs are no longer widely available, as education has transitioned into more formal university and college settings. However, there are some regions where they tend to still be popular.
A student who completes an approved diploma program may take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®) exam. Similarly, students who complete ADN or BSN degree programs may also qualify to sit for this national certification exam.
Students who wish to pursue nursing careers should understand there is a distinction between a diploma in nursing and a college degree. If you enroll in a diploma program, though, you will take college-level credit courses that you may be able to transfer towards a nursing degree later.
Diploma programs offer an excellent way to enter the nursing profession quickly. Progressing to an RN to BSN program later, however, may prove challenging, as these programs do not always accept diplomas as part of their admission requirements. Instead, many RN to BSN programs require associate degrees.
Associate Degree in Nursing
Most commonly offered through community colleges or career schools, the associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a two-year college degree nursing program. This type of associate degree allows graduates to take the NCLEX-RN examination if they meet all the requirements set forth by their states’ board of nursing.
Many healthcare organizations may prefer candidates to have a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN). However, the ADN is a great way to get a jump start on pursuing a nursing career at a very affordable rate.
There are many nursing programs that an ADN-prepared nurse can complete to obtain a BSN degree in a short amount of time. These programs are typically referred to as RN to BSN programs.
Candidates for RN to BSN programs must already be licensed RNs. However, courses focus more on theory than direct patient care skills.
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a four-year nursing degree typically offered through traditional colleges and universities. Many schools of nursing also offer accelerated BSN degree programs for individuals who have bachelor’s degrees in other fields of study.
BSN degree programs encompass general education requirements, electives, and a comprehensive nursing curriculum that focuses on both clinical practice and nursing theory.
A Magnet-designated healthcare system may require its entry-level nurses to have BSN degrees. Consequently, registered nurses who complete BSN programs may qualify for more job opportunities than RNs who have not yet earned bachelor’s degrees.
Master's Degree in Nursing
The master of science in nursing (MSN) is for nurses to seek graduate education and advanced skills in nursing specialties. While there are MSN generalist programs, nurses typically seek out opportunities to further their education through degree concentration tracks.
Some examples of concentrations include:
- Nurse educator
- Nursing leadership
- Nursing informatics
- Community health
MSN programs typically take two to three years to complete. Often, the curriculum involves a core set of nursing courses that are important to any nursing subspecialty, as well as concentration-specific courses.
Core nursing courses at the MSN level may include topics such as healthcare policy, informatics, quality improvement and leadership, and nursing research. While many MSN programs can be completed online, most will include an in-person practicum. This requirement allows students to integrate newly acquired skills and knowledge into their daily practice.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: A Combination of an Advanced Degree and a Nursing Specialty Certification
The term "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” (APRN) is used to describe a nurse who has earned an MSN – or other advanced nursing degree – and achieved certification in a nursing specialty. APRN is a protected title and applies only to:
- Clinical nurse specialists
- Certified nurse midwives
- Nurse practitioners (NPs)
- Nurse anesthetists
Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree
While doctoral degrees in nursing are not a new concept, there has been an explosion in growth of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs.
So what is the DNP degree, and what makes it so attractive? The doctor of nursing practice degree is a practice- or clinical-based advanced nursing degree. DNP degree programs emphasize effective approaches to enhance the nursing practice.
Pursuing a DNP degree may be a practical choice if you:
- Are interested in quality improvement and nursing leadership
- Would like to become an advanced practice registered nurse
- Want to pursue opportunities in educational leadership
DNP programs are offered in traditional, face-to-face settings, as well as online. During their studies, students must complete practicums to demonstrate doctoral-level knowledge and skills. In total, students pursuing their doctor of nursing practice degrees can expect to complete approximately 1,000 hours of experiential engagement and learning outside of the classroom.
Ph.D. in Nursing: A Research-Based Degree
A Ph.D. in nursing is typically described as a research-based degree. Unlike DNP programs, which apply established findings to enhance outcomes in nursing, Ph.D. programs focus on generating new findings through research.
As a result, Ph.D. programs focus heavily on research methods and tend to take longer to complete than DNP programs. The Ph.D. in nursing may be a good choice for you if you want to work in a traditional academic setting where research is conducted, such as a large academic medical center. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue a Ph.D. in nursing if you want to work exclusively in research.
How to Navigate the Different Levels of Nursing Degrees
No matter where you are professionally, the most important thing to remember is that there is a difference between an educational nursing degree and nursing licensure. You can complete a nursing training program or earn a degree in nursing, but you will not be given the credential as a CNA, LPN, or RN until you pass the appropriate certification or licensure examination.
This requirement is also true for advanced practice registered nurses. As an APRN, you may earn a master's degree in a nurse practitioner program, but you must pass the national licensure examination to earn the NP credential.
Still, whichever path you choose to take in nursing, there are many options available to you. With over 100 specialties in nursing, there truly is something for everyone.
Explore Nursing Degrees at American Military University
If you have an active RN license and would like to further your education, consider pursuing a bachelor’s degree or a master’s online at American Military University (AMU). With a focus on providing accessible, affordable education, AMU offers these online nursing degrees:
Our faculty members include experienced nurses who have worked in patient care and a variety of healthcare settings. Courses have no set login times, and programs start monthly.
Additionally, our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This accreditation signifies that our nursing program meets specific educational standards for quality.
Whether you are interested in pursuing a nursing career in patient care, education, or another specialty, explore the levels of nursing degrees available at AMU.
NCLEX-PN® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
Dr. Stacey (Kram) Malinowski, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN-K, PCCN-K, CNE, is the Associate Dean and Chief Nursing Administrator at the University. Dr. Malinowski completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Salisbury University and has over 20 years of nursing experience, primarily in the care of critically ill adults and their families. Prior to joining the University, Dr. Malinowski worked as a Nurse Manager for a novice nurse residency program within a community hospital system on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She also served in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps for three years as a First Lieutenant with the 2290th USAH at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.