Nursing offers several degree levels, from a one-year practical nursing certificate to a doctoral degree. The most common entry point into nursing is either an associate degree (two years) or a bachelor’s degree (four years), both of which qualify graduates to become registered nurses. Which degree you need depends on the type of nursing role you want and how far you plan to advance in your career.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
The fastest path into nursing is a practical nursing program, which typically takes about one year to complete. These programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some hospitals. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam and become licensed practical nurses. LPNs provide basic patient care, including taking vital signs, changing bandages, and assisting patients with daily activities, but they work under the supervision of registered nurses or physicians.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An associate degree in nursing is a two-year program, most commonly offered at community colleges. Some schools offer accelerated versions that can be finished in about 18 months. Graduates qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses, performing the same core clinical tasks as RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree.
The ADN is popular because it’s faster and less expensive than a four-year degree. But it comes with trade-offs. Many hospitals now prefer or require a bachelor’s degree when hiring, and an ADN limits your ability to move into management, education, or advanced practice roles. The salary gap is real, too: RNs with an associate degree earn roughly $75,000 per year on average, compared to about $92,000 for those with a bachelor’s degree.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A BSN is a four-year undergraduate degree that includes everything in an ADN program plus deeper coursework in research, public health, leadership, and community nursing. The additional training gives BSN-prepared nurses broader clinical experience and makes them more competitive in the job market. A BSN is also required for admission to any graduate nursing program, so it’s a necessary step if you plan to become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator.
The trend in the profession is strongly toward the BSN as the expected standard. New York State passed a “BSN in 10” law requiring new RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher within ten years of initial licensure. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends the BSN as the minimum for professional nursing practice, and more employers are following that lead.
RN-to-BSN Bridge Programs
If you already hold an ADN and work as a registered nurse, you don’t need to start over. RN-to-BSN bridge programs are designed specifically for working nurses and typically require around 30 credit hours of nursing coursework. Many programs also award credit for your existing associate degree, so the total timeline is often 12 to 18 months. Most of these programs are available fully online, making it possible to keep working while you complete the degree.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
A master’s degree in nursing takes about 1.5 to 2 years beyond a BSN and opens the door to advanced practice roles. With an MSN, you can become a nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, or nurse educator. You can also move into nursing leadership and administration.
The salary jump at this level is significant. Nurse practitioners earn a median of about $126,260 per year. Certified nurse midwives earn around $129,650, and clinical nurse specialists earn roughly $124,000. These roles also come with greater autonomy. In many states, nurse practitioners can diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and manage patient care independently.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The DNP is a doctoral degree focused on clinical practice rather than research. It’s becoming the expected credential for advanced practice nurses. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends the DNP as the entry-level degree for advanced practice, and nurse anesthetist programs have already made the shift. As of 2022, anyone starting a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program must enter a doctoral-level track.
CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing professionals, earning a median salary of $212,650 per year. The DNP typically adds two to three years of study beyond a master’s degree, or can be completed in a BSN-to-DNP track that combines graduate and doctoral work.
Which Degree Qualifies You for Licensure
To become a licensed practical nurse, you need to complete an approved practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN. To become a registered nurse, you can qualify through an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a diploma program, or even the pre-licensure portion of a graduate nursing program. All of these pathways lead to the same NCLEX-RN exam, and passing it grants the same RN license regardless of which degree you hold.
That said, holding the same license doesn’t mean having the same opportunities. The degree behind your license increasingly shapes which jobs you can get, what you’ll earn, and how far you can advance. If you’re planning a long career in nursing, the bachelor’s degree is the most versatile starting point, with the option to pursue graduate education when you’re ready.