Different Types of Nursing Education Programs Explained

One of the first choices you make as a future nurse is which degree to pursue, and it shapes everything after it: how long you train, what skills you build, what jobs you qualify for, and what you earn. The paths run from a short certificate to a doctorate. Here is what each one gets you.

Certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate

The CNA certificate is a non-degree diploma from a community college or vocational school, usually four to 12 weeks. It prepares you for your state's CNA certification exam. Requirements vary by state but generally include at least 75 hours of schooling plus at least 16 hours of supervised clinical training. You learn basic care: vital signs, changing bedding, transferring patients, and recording data.

What you can do: Work with patients under the supervision of an LPN or RN, often in hospitals, assisted living, home healthcare, and continuing care settings.

Earning potential: The median annual salary for nursing assistants is $39,530, per the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate

An LPN certificate gets you into nursing relatively fast. Vocational schools and community colleges offer it, and fulltime students usually finish in about a year. You learn to report patient conditions, take vital signs, change wound dressings, and assist with tests and procedures. After completing the program, you sit for the NCLEX-PN and meet your state's requirements to license.

Jennifer Brullo, CEO of Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester, New York, holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership from Duke University. She calls CNA or LPN licensure a strong way to start. "For individuals uncertain about whether direct patient care is the right path, both roles offer valuable hands-on experience in patient care," Brullo said. Both take a short time commitment and can be a stepping stone toward becoming an RN.

What you can do: Work under an RN's supervision in hospitals, residential care facilities, diagnostic testing centers, government agencies, and more.

Earning potential: The median annual salary for LPNs is $62,340, per the 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Associate degree in nursing (ADN)

To become a registered nurse, you need at least an ADN. These run about two years fulltime, though part-time study lets you work while you go. Most programs combine classroom learning with clinical hours and cover anatomy, physiology, psychology, and microbiology. After finishing, you take the NCLEX-RN to license as an RN.

"Earning an associate degree in nursing positions a nurse for future advancement and specialization opportunities," Brullo said. You can later pursue a bachelor's or master's, and an RN generally out-earns a CNA or LPN. "RNs also benefit from a broader scope of practice and increased responsibilities compared to CNAs and LPNs," she said.

What you can do: Work in hospitals, schools, nursing and residential care, government offices, and physicians' offices. Travel nursing is also an option.

Earning potential: The median annual salary for RNs is $93,600, per the 2024 BLS data.

Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a four-year program that prepares RNs for a wide range of roles and sets you up for graduate study. Several routes exist: a traditional program straight out of high school, or LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN programs for students with prior nursing education, which often finish in about two years. After the program, you take the NCLEX-RN if you have not already.

"A BSN graduate receives more comprehensive training, preparing them for a successful nursing career," Brullo said. "In addition to foundational skills, the BSN curriculum includes coursework that enhances critical thinking abilities and provides stronger clinical experience. A BSN is considered a better long-term investment and is typically the preferred degree for most entry-level nursing positions, particularly at prestigious, Magnet-designated facilities."

What you can do: Work in hospitals, public health, home health, schools, and more.

Earning potential: The median annual salary for RNs is $93,600, per the BLS.

Master of Science in nursing (MSN)

The MSN is a graduate program, more specialized and intensive than a BSN, built for nurse leadership, education, and advanced practice. Most finish in two to three years.

"MSN-prepared nurses have the opportunity to obtain advanced practice nurse licensures or specialize in specific areas, which enables them to earn higher salaries while developing more advanced skill sets," Brullo said. "Additionally, an MSN provides enhanced preparation for nurses seeking leadership roles."

You can enter with a bachelor's in any field or a BSN. Accelerated RN-to-MSN and BSN-to-MSN paths move you into the workforce sooner.

What you can do: Pursue roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists, and more.

Earning potential: The median annual salary for nurse practitioners is $129,210, per the BLS.

Doctoral degree in nursing

Doctoral degrees are terminal degrees for advanced, specific careers. A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) prepares you for executive leadership, nursing informatics, or health policy. A PhD in nursing prepares you for research positions in healthcare institutions, higher education, and insurance. Both are rigorous and take about two years.

"Earning a doctorate in nursing offers numerous benefits, including expanded career opportunities," Brullo said. "These opportunities may include roles such as Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Clinical Officer, other nursing leadership positions, or specialized roles as nurse practitioners. Doctorate-prepared nurses are highly skilled in evidence-based practice, which is crucial for advancing nursing practice and improving patient outcomes."

What you can do: Hold executive leadership, higher education, and research-based positions.

Earning potential: Salaries vary widely by position and industry.

Which types of nurses are in the greatest demand?

"The healthcare industry is experiencing significant growth, with nurse job openings consistently outpacing supply," Brullo said. LPNs, RNs, and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are all in high demand. The BLS predicts RN employment will grow 4.9% through 2034 and LPN employment 2.6% over the same period. "However, shortages will persist, particularly in certain states, where the need for nurses will be even more pronounced," she said.

The National Academy of Medicine's Future of Nursing 2020-2030 report points to the same gap. An aging population, rising mental and behavioral health needs, shrinking access to primary care, and persistently high maternal mortality all drive demand. "These trends suggest that nursing is a promising career path, regardless of the entry-level degree," Brullo said. "There is an increasing demand for nurses in community health, psychiatric and behavioral health, emergency care, and critical care settings."

How to choose the right nursing program

Start with your long-term goals and how fast you want to enter the field, then weigh the time and money you can commit before your career begins. "I also encourage students to pursue ongoing academic advancement and take advantage of tuition reimbursement programs offered by their employers," Brullo said. "Nursing offers a wide range of career paths, including direct bedside care, telehealth, care management, technology, education, research, and leadership."

Whichever degree you choose, it is the first step into a career where your work changes lives. "Nursing is an exceptional field to pursue, offering both personal and professional rewards," Brullo said. "It provides numerous opportunities to apply your training and skills in various ways, allowing you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others while advancing your career."