Nursing programs and careers

Nursing is the largest medical profession in the U.S., comprising over 3.8 million registered nurses. Nurses touch people’s lives by providing care to those who need it most. Positions tend to be hands-on and patient-facing, making nursing highly meaningful but sometimes stressful.

There are lots of ways to become a nurse, with plenty of opportunities to specialize. Here you’ll find an overview of how to become a nurse, what you can do with a degree in nursing, and which nursing schools give you the best return on investment.

What do you learn in nursing school?

Nursing programs provide practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care at all stages of life. You’ll learn the fundamentals of nursing through textbook theory as well as more practical tasks like how to insert an IV into a patient. You might also start clinical rotations from your first or second semester, where you’ll experience hands-on learning in a hospital environment.

The practical elements of nursing school mean you’ll be spending a lot of time on campus. There are however distance learning options, as approximately 20% of undergraduate nursing programs are offered fully online. Online nursing programs with clinical requirements outsource their rotations to teaching hospitals. Note that as an online BSN student, you may be responsible for finding your own rotations, supervisors, and proctors.

Types of nursing degrees

There are multiple levels of nursing education, from certificates in basic nursing care to doctoral research degrees.

• Non-degree certificates: lead to entry-level opportunities in nursing support functions. You can get specific diplomas to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Time commitment: 4-12 weeks.
• Associate degree in nursing (ADN): the minimum requirement to become a registered nurse. Usually taught at community colleges and cheaper than a BSN degree. Time commitment: 2 years.
• Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN): expands the responsibilities and career opportunities available as a registered nurse. Time commitment: 4 years.
• Master of science in nursing (MSN): requirement for advanced practice registered nurses, opening doors to a variety of different nursing specializations. Time commitment: 1-2 years.
• Doctor of nursing practice (DNP): a professional, or applied doctorate, DNPs can step into executive roles at hospitals or other healthcare facilities, and/or work as an educator in nursing school. Time commitment: 3-4 years.

» Read: The ultimate guide to getting into nursing school

Nursing bridge programs

Bridge programs allow nurses to acquire the necessary qualifications to take the next step in their career. Bridge programs focus on teaching practical skills and offer flexibility so that nurses can continue to work while studying. Lab work and clinical hours can often be done at the nurse’s current place of work.

Nursing bridge programs include:

• RN to BSN
• RN to MSN
• Accelerated BSN
• Direct entry MSN
• MSN without BSN
• BSN-to-DNP

Nursing school accreditation

Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

You can either apply directly to colleges that offer accredited nursing programs or use NursingCAS to send BSN or MSN applications to multiple schools at once.

Associate degree in nursing (ADN)

The ADN is often pursued by those wishing to enter the nursing profession as quickly as possible. It is a professional degree, meaning it provides hands-on training. It’s sometimes referred to as an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) or an AASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing).

An ADN is the quickest and most affordable path to becoming an RN. However, some states have started passing laws that allow nurses to become registered with an associate degree but require them to earn a BSN within 10 years of their initial licensure to continue practicing. Luckily, the ADN leaves doors open for finishing an accelerated BSN a few years down the line should you choose to do so.

Jobs you can get with non-degree certificates and an associate degree in nursing (ADN)

In all 50 states, it’s possible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse with an associate degree. There are however other entry-level nursing jobs that are obtainable with a non-degree certificate or an ADN.

Short-term BSN earnings, 3 years after finishing school, are $72,513. This is $26,063 higher than the $46,450 bachelor’s median, placing nursing salaries in the top 10% out of a total 289 programs measured.

The job outlook is positive too, with the need for registered nurses projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. Note that this data includes all BSN graduates regardless of their field of employment after graduation.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

MSN degrees allow RNs to specialize and become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who go on to earn higher salaries. If you decide to go down the non-practitioner track, an MSN can open doors to nursing jobs in administration, leadership, informatics, nurse education, and health policy management. It can also be a path to specialization, such as becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), public health nurse, or clinical nurse specialist.

» Read: The best graduate nursing programs

Some nursing schools offer MSN tracks for applicants with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields who are seeking to become RNs. These programs may be twice as long as regular programs. After 2 years of study, these students can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become RNs while completing their graduate education.

Final thoughts

The work nurses do on a daily basis intersects with many vital issues of our day – from public health, aging, and diversity, to war, poverty, and the prison system. Nurses care for people at their most vulnerable – from NICU nurses tending to premature infants, to hospice nurses ensuring pain management and dignity at the end of life.

With so many career paths and options for advancement and specialization, there are plenty of ways you can become a nurse. Nursing professionals are in high demand across the country, in community and acute care settings such as public health agencies, primary care clinics, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, and the military.