{"id":3600,"date":"2021-07-30T13:35:56","date_gmt":"2021-07-30T17:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=3600"},"modified":"2024-12-16T17:04:04","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T22:04:04","slug":"types-of-nursing-degrees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/types-of-nursing-degrees\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Nursing Degrees Available to You"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you considering a future in the nursing field? Learn about the different types of nursing degrees and where they can take your career.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The world is in need of nurses more than ever before. In the face of a global pandemic, millions have recognized the value of skilled and compassionate nurses who can keep us safe. Every day, nurses help patients through some of the toughest and most vulnerable moments in their lives. They assess and treat people who are sick, injured, and disabled. They help families through difficult times. They teach patients about preventive care and management. They work with advanced technology and a remarkable medical team. This is just the beginning of what you can do as a professional nurse.<\/p>\n

Due to the broad nature of their role, nurses must undergo extensive training before they can obtain a license to practice. The level of training and education required will vary, depending on one\u2019s professional goals. The more advanced the nursing career, the more advanced the nursing degree.<\/p>\n

As you contemplate your future in nursing, it is important to understand the different types of nursing degrees and where they can take you. To become a Registered Nurse (RN), for example, you will need to earn an associate or bachelor\u2019s degree in nursing. Advanced practice positions, such as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), will require a graduate degree. Meanwhile, entry-level titles like a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) only require a certificate or diploma to get started.<\/p>\n

Which Type of Nursing Degree is Right for You?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As you commence your search, ask yourself what type of nurse you want to be. How much autonomy and responsibility do you wish to have in your career? How far up do you want to go? Most aspiring nurses today pursue the registered nursing (RN) path. RNs are the nurses you will most often find working with patients, administering treatments, and coordinating patient care plans. To start on this path, an undergraduate degree is required. However, those looking for upward mobility may choose to continue towards a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

In addition to your career goals, it is also important to think about your lifestyle and how much time you would like to commit to nursing school. Do you have years to invest in your education, or are you looking to get into a career fast? By considering these factors, you can make a more sound, informed, and attainable choice regarding your nursing education.<\/p>\n

To get you thinking, we\u2019ve outlined the different types of nursing degrees available today:<\/p>\n

Types of Nursing Degrees & Certificates (Undergraduate)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): <\/strong><\/h3>\n

An\u00a0associate degree in nursing<\/a>\u00a0is the standard, and therefore most common, pathway to becoming a Registered Nurse. Typically, this type of nursing program takes two years to complete. At Goodwin University, however, you can complete your associate degree in as few as 20 months\u00a0part-time, <\/em>after prerequisites are fulfilled.\u00a0<\/em>If you take full-time classes, that degree will be even closer!<\/p>\n

A reputable ADN program will offer a blend of classroom learning, hands-on training, and clinical experiences to prepare you for work in the field. You will develop the foundational, technical skills needed to be a successful nurse, such as administering medications, performing diagnostic tests, and setting up treatment plans. On top of that, you can expect to learn the ins and outs of sciences like physiology, microbiology, anatomy, and psychology.<\/p>\n

An associate degree in nursing will make you eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), which is required to become a licensed Registered Nurse. Once you have passed the NCLEX and earn the RN title, you may choose to start working and\/or pursue a bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Nursing (BSN):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While an associate degree stands as the minimum requirement for Registered Nurses today, most healthcare employers now prefer to hire graduates who hold a Bachelor\u2019s in Nursing (BSN) degree.<\/p>\n

If you want to broaden your career options and qualify for advanced or higher-paying nursing positions, a BSN may be the right path for you. This type of nursing degree is highly valued in today\u2019s healthcare field, with studies<\/a> showing that BSN graduates typically have more developed skill sets, better patient outcomes, and greater upward mobility.<\/p>\n

Like an ADN program, a BSN program will combine classroom and clinical learning. However, a bachelor\u2019s program will consist of more advanced coursework in professional nursing, community health, health assessment, ethics, policy, and leadership courses.<\/p>\n

Many aspiring nurses understand the value of a BSN degree, but do not have the time to commit to a four-year program. Fortunately, there are other ways you can earn a BSN today. For example:<\/p>\n