Summary of American Nurse Nursing Degrees

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

A certified nursing assistant, or CNA,postgraduate nursing in asia works under the direct supervision of a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse to assist patients with activities of daily living and other health care needs.

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN)

LPNs are responsible for measuring vital signs, administering oral medications, and providing basic care to patients (such as helping them eat,pre registration nursing masters dress, bathe, etc.). They also assist registered nurses (RNs) and physicians.

In some states, such as California, LPN is also called LVN, so you may see the terms LPN or LVN used interchangeably.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A two-year associate's degree in nursing is the shortest path to becoming a registered nurse.

ADN job responsibilities typically include: recording patient information, taking and monitoring vital signs, patient assessment,entry level masters programme in nursing providing patient education, performing diagnostic tests, initiating IVs and drawing blood, administering oral and intravenous medications, working with other healthcare professionals to ensure High quality patient care.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, is a four-year nursing degree and one of two degrees that nurses can earn.

According to the BLS, job prospects for BSN-trained registered nurses are good. They estimate that the industry will continue to grow by 6% from 2021 to 2031, requiring an additional 195,400 registered nurses during this period.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Earning a Master of Science in Nursing opens the door to higher-level opportunities in nursing and beyond. A graduate-level degree gives you the ability and qualifications to work independently or as part of a team in clinical and non-clinical settings and make critical healthcare decisions.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

The DNP is a terminal nursing degree rooted in clinical practice and designed to train advanced practice nurses.

How to choose a nursing degree?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a nursing degree. You may decide that you want to get into the field quickly and with as little money as possible. If so, an LPN degree might be a good place to start. Many LPNs decide to go back to school to become a registered nurse after gaining nursing experience. Many LPNs attend school and receive higher education while working in the field.

To move forward and become a registered nurse, you will need to take a degree program that will qualify you to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Passing the NCLEX exam is how you obtain your registered nurse license in your state.

Earning an ADN or BSN are two ways to start a career as a registered nurse. You must ensure that your program is accredited by one of two accrediting agencies: the Accreditation Council for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

If you attend a nursing school that does not have national accreditation, you will not be eligible to take the NCLEX exam to obtain a registered nurse license and will not be able to earn other advanced degrees such as an MSN, DNP, or PhD.

RNs typically gain several years of experience in the field before deciding to pursue an MSN, DNP, or PhD. But this is not required. Having experience in the field is helpful for nurses because they know what specialties they are most interested in, which can help narrow down the type of advanced nursing degree program they want to choose. Just make sure your advanced nursing degree program is accredited as well.