If you're interested in the medical industry, want a broad education that can open doors to a professional career across the many branches of healthcare including medicine, surgery, dentistry, and midwifery, and want to help solve the current shortage of nurses in America, a degree in Nursing could be a great fit for you.

Types of Degrees

Nursing students can pursue many different degrees and programs from a CNA (as little as 4-12 weeks), an LPN/LVN (as little as 12-18 months) an associate degree/ADN RN (as little as 2 years), bachelor's degree/BSN (as little as 4 years), master's degree/MSN (as little as 6-7 years), or doctorate degree/DNP (as little as 2 years post graduate from MSN). Specific licensures and certifications are required before you can become a professional, practicing nurse, and each state has different requirements, making it important for you to research the requirements of the area where you hope to practice before deciding on a particular program or degree.

Admission Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with a strong academic background in math and science coursework helping applicants obtain acceptance into their desired school. Each school has its own specific requirements, making it important for you to explore several options before settling on a particular school.

Career Opportunities After Earning A Nursing Degree

The range of career opportunities available to someone with a degree in Nursing include:

• CNA/Certified Nursing Assistant
• LPN/Licensed Practical Nurse
• LVN/Licensed Vocational Nurse
• RN/Registered Nurse
• BSN/Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• MSN/Master's of Science in Nursing/Nurse Practitioner
• DNP/Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Post Graduate Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a Registered Nurse was $93,600 in 2024 ¹ while Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earned a mean salary of $60,790 in 2023. ²

Note that the average salary varies widely not only depending on career chosen, but on geographical location and employer. Conditions in your area may vary.

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics
2. Bureau of Labor Statistics

• Careers associated with these educational opportunities often require additional degrees and certifications not offered as part of the educational opportunities presented by this website.
• Information based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.