Nursing Program 2021-2022


Best Degree for a Career in Nursing


Nursing is one of the most satisfying of all health professions. It pays well, it offers a lot of career advancement opportunities and diversity, and best of all, it's personally rewarding and fulfilling. However, becoming a successful nurse requires more than just desire and good intentions, it requires education, and it requires a college degree. If you're serious about a career in nursing, it's important that you become familiar with the different nursing certificates, diplomas, and degree programs available, and the value of each to your career aspirations. Below we'll explore the best educational and degree paths to becoming a nurse, as well as which nursing careers and specialties each degree will prepare you for.


Diploma in Nursing


Earning a diploma in nursing is the quickest path to launching your nursing career. A diploma in nursing can be acquired in as little as one year. The nursing diploma is the minimum qualification for becoming a practicing nurse. While nursing diplomas are still available through hospital-sponsored nursing schools, the majority of accredited community colleges, vocational schools, and four-year universities no longer offer nursing diplomas. Earning a nursing diploma does not qualify a student to become a registered nurse. For this reason, the popularity of the nursing diploma has dropped in recent years.
The diploma in nursing will qualify students for a career as a:
  • Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
  • Licensed Vocational Nurse


Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)


The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is the best degree for students who–in the shortest time possible–want to launch a career 

 Registered Nurse (RN)

Earning the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree is the fastest path to becoming a licensed Registered Nurse. This is a two-year nursing degree program offered by community colleges and vocational schools across the United States. The ASN degree is the minimum qualification for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Earning an ASN is not only great preparation for a career in nursing, it is a stepping stone into a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program down the road. Once students complete the ASN from an accredited nursing program, they're able to it sit for the NCLEX® exam and become a licensed Registered Nurse.

LPN-to-Associate or LPN-to-RN


The LPN-to-Associate degree sometimes referred to as an LPN-to-RN, is a 1 to 2-year associate degree program designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses who want to earn a degree that will enable them to become a licensed Registered Nurse (RN). This program is often called a "bridge" program because it bridges the gap between LPN and RN. The LPN-to-Associate degree program is offered at select community colleges and vocational schools throughout the United States.


The LPN-to-Associate or LPN-to-RN is the best degree for licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses who–in the shortest time possible–want to launch a career as a:


  • Registered Nurse (RN)


Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)


Like the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. However, unlike the ASN, which takes two years to complete, the BSN is a 4-year degree program. The BSN is the nursing degree that most employers prefer, and it provides graduates the best career opportunities straight out of school. The minimum requirement for many nursing positions these days is a BSN.


The BSN is the best degree for those who want to prepare for future higher education and career advancement opportunities and launch a career as a:


  • Registered Nurse
  • Occupational Health Nurse
  • Perioperative Nurse
  • School Nurse
  • Staff Nurse
  • Neonatal Nurse
  • Nurse Case Manager
  • Nursing Informatics Analyst
  • Nurse Researcher (MSN preferred)
  • Nephrology Nurse (MSN preferred)

RN-to-MSN


The RN-to-MSN is a Master of Science in Nursing degree designed specifically for registered nurses who have earned an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN). The RN-to-MSN programs allow qualifying RNs to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) simultaneously. The RN-to-MSN program is designed to allow RNs to transfer the maximum number of credits from their ASN or BSN degree toward the completion of their MSN degree.

RNs who successfully complete the RN-to-MSN program will be awarded the MSN designation and will be prepared to pursue the same career opportunities as those individuals who complete a traditional 2-year MSN degree program.

Post-master's Certificate

Post-master certificates are designed for registered nurses who have already obtained a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. These certificates are earned by passing specialized nursing exams provided through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), a division of the American Nurses Association. Through the ANCC, registered nurses with an MSN can get certified as generalist, advanced practice, and clinical specialist nurses in over 30 specialized areas of nursing. Nurses seeking to demonstrate additional expertise beyond an MSN should consider earning a Post-master's certificate

MSN/Ph.D. Dual Nursing Degree

The dual MSN/Ph.D. degree programs, as its name suggests, allow aspiring nurses and nurse professionals to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree while working toward the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.). The minimum prerequisite to entry into this program is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and substantial experience as a Registered Nurse. The Dual MSN/Ph.D. degree programs are rigorous programs that introduce students to advanced research and practice-oriented training at the master and doctoral levels. This degree program typically takes 4 to 5 years to complete.

Earning the MSN/Ph.D. degree will qualify students for the same career advancement opportunities available to RNs who earn an MSN or Ph.D. in Nursing.


Joint Degree Programs


Within nursing education, there are several joint degree programs offered at the graduate level for nursing professionals who want to develop competency in disciplines that are complementary in nature to nursing and health care professions. The three most popular joint degrees include the MSN/MPH, MSN/MSHA, and the MSN/MBA. The MSN/MPH combines the Master of Science in Nursing with a master's degree in public health. The MSN/MSHA combines the Master of Science in Nursing with a master's degree in health administration. The MSN/MPH combines the Master of Science in Nursing with a master's degree in business administration. Joint degrees are best for nursing professionals seeking careers in public health, health care administration, and business administration.




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