Types of nursing degrees

If you’re hiring for a healthcare organization, having a solid understanding of nursing ranks and degrees can help you with the hiring process.

You may include the following nursing degrees required for specific healthcare positions in your job descriptions.

1. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate

While not technically nursing degrees, programs that train nursing assistants may be sufficient education for some entry-level patient care positions. A nursing assistant certificate program generally takes four to 12 weeks to complete.

A certified nursing assistant (CNA) handles basic patient care to support other medical staff. You might hire a CNA if you don’t need another registered nurse, but your current nursing staff could use help with patient care. Some tasks you may be able to assign to a CNA can include:

• Taking patient vitals
• Recording patient data
• Providing patient personal care, such as bathing, feeding and getting in and out of bed
• Dispensing medication, depending on state regulations
• Preparing rooms
• Reporting health concerns from patients to nurses

2. Licensed practical nurse (LPN) certificate

The licensed practical nurse (LPN) diploma typically takes 12 to 18 months to complete and is often offered at community and technical colleges. LPN training programs include classroom work and supervised clinical experience.

An LPN, sometimes called a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), typically has more responsibility than a CNA. State regulations dictate what an LPN can do with and without supervision. Review your state’s restrictions to determine whether an LPN can handle the workload of your open position.

If you hire someone with an LPN certificate, they can generally handle the following tasks:

• Taking vitals and monitoring patient health
• Inserting catheters and IVs and administering medicine
• Assisting patients with bathing, dressing and other care tasks
• Educating patients and families on treatments and at-home care
• Recording patient information in their medical records
• Sharing information about patients with nurses and doctors

3. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

To become a registered nurse (RN), applicants usually need an associate’s degree. This two-year degree program prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for a nursing license.

When you need staff nurses, graduates with associate’s degrees may be suitable choices. They have the necessary skills to provide routine patient care. An RN with an associate’s degree can handle the following tasks:

• Reviewing and carrying out patient treatments
• Documenting all medications, treatments and patient interactions
• Educating patients on follow-up care
• Assisting with exams and other procedures
• Reporting symptoms and changes to physicians
• Supervising lower-ranking RNs, LPNs and CNAs

4. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Some RNs opt for a four-year bachelor’s degree. While many healthcare facilities hire staff nurses with an associate’s degree, some prefer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree for all nursing positions.

Programs for earning a BSN may include:

• Traditional path: This option involves completing the four-year degree program and doesn’t require previous medical experience. The recipient completes all four years consecutively before taking the required exams and earning RN licensure.
• LPN-to-BSN: Someone with an LPN certificate can go back to school to complete the BSN degree, regardless of whether they have experience in the field as an LPN. Some classes might transfer from their LPN certificate.
• RN-to-BSN: This is a similar option for those with an associate’s degree in nursing. RNs who have worked in the field might finish their bachelor’s degree to earn a raise or qualify for higher positions. Many classes taken to earn the associate’s degree can typically transfer toward the bachelor’s degree.
• Second degree: Some people looking change careers might already have a bachelor’s degree. The liberal arts components of their degree may transfer, shortening the time required to earn a nursing degree.

A bachelor’s degree program can prepare RNs for advanced positions, including those with supervisory responsibilities. In addition to required technical skills, these programs incorporate skills that help develop leadership.

Bachelor’s degrees in nursing may be required for specific healthcare positions, such as:

• Staff nurse
• Nurse manager
• Case manager
• Forensic nurse consultant
• Legal nurse consultant
• Public health nurse
• Clinical research nurse
• Nurse educator

5. Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree involves two years beyond a bachelor’s degree. The coursework generally focuses on a specialty area and may include leadership, research and healthcare policy.

A master’s degree program can prepare a nurse for advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN) duties.

APRNs may choose from four main specialties, including:

• Nurse practitioner (NP): This specialty prepares nurses for duties similar to those of a doctor. They can diagnose and treat patients. Most states let them order tests, perform physical exams, prescribe medication and counsel patients on their conditions.
• Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): A CNS may specialize in a certain patient population, treatment type, disease or treatment setting. Like an NP, they can diagnose and treat patients.
• Certified nurse midwife (CNM): A CNM provides care for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. They can also provide wellness care and gynecological exams and offer family planning services.
• Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA): This type of APRN helps administer anesthesia while working closely with physicians. They’re also responsible for watching patients during recovery and helping with pain management after procedures. Starting in 2025, all new CRNAs will need a doctoral degree. However, graduates who already hold CRNA certification can continue working in the field, so you may still hire a candidate with a master’s degree instead of a doctorate.

6. Dual master’s degree

Nurses who want to work in leadership or administrative roles might choose a dual master’s degree program. With this option, the student earns two master’s degrees together, typically faster than they would if they earned them separately.

One of the two degrees is commonly the MSN degree. The other usually focuses on the business or health leadership aspect of nursing.

Examples of the second degree include a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA). These common combinations can prepare the candidate for running a healthcare facility or department.

These dual master’s nursing degrees may be required for specific healthcare positions, such as:

• Nurse manager
• Clinical manager
• Hospital administrator
• Nursing home administrator
• Director of nursing

7. Doctoral nursing degrees

The highest possible nursing degree is a doctoral degree. Doctoral programs are usually research- or practice-focused, depending on the career the participant plans to pursue.

Many students who enroll in doctoral programs are licensed as APRNs, but some nurses choose to earn a doctoral degree instead of a master’s degree to become an APRN. It typically takes two to five years to complete the doctoral program, depending on the specific degree.

The three main options for a doctoral nursing degree are:

• Doctor of nursing practice (DNP): This practice-based option often leads to executive positions in healthcare or nursing. The study may focus on clinical leadership.
• Doctor of nursing philosophy (PhD): The PhD is a research-based doctoral degree that typically leads to positions as researchers or nursing professors.
• Doctor of nursing science (DNS): This degree focuses on research and is often used as a pathway to a career as a researcher, administrator, analyst or nurse educator. It’s less common than a PhD.

Deciding which nursing degree to require

It can be challenging to know which nursing degree you should require for open nurse roles. Consider the following steps to help you decide:

1. Conduct a staffing assessment

Evaluate your current team before considering your open positions. How many nurses do you currently employ, and will your new hire be responsible for supervising them? What degrees do they hold?

Consider who will serve as the direct supervisor for your new hire, their education and the minimum education currently required for their job title.

Answering these questions can help narrow your focus to the most relevant nursing degrees for your open positions.

2. Identify gaps in your current workforce

Identifying performance gaps can help you understand your nursing needs. When hiring for nursing positions at hospitals, the following metrics may be useful for finding performance gaps:

• Results of patient satisfaction surveys
• Readmission rates
• Patient attrition rates

Compare these benchmarks to the averages for facilities of similar size, specialty, patient population and location. From there, consider how your nursing team contributes to these benchmarks and use these insights to guide your decision-making.

For example, to address elevated hospital-acquired infection rates, you might:

• Hire more nurses with LPN certificates to focus on improving basic sanitation and patient hygiene.
• Hire a nurse educator with a bachelor’s or master’s degree to improve infection control training.
• Bring on a nurse manager with a bachelor’s or master’s degree to oversee the implementation of infection control policies.
• Recruit a clinical nurse specialist with a master’s degree who specializes in wound care to supervise the care of at-risk patients.
• Hire a nurse who holds a dual master’s degree in nursing and public health to help devise new infection control policies and procedures.

3. Look to the future

Examine projections for bed occupancy rates, patient population changes and other key metrics and how your nursing team can meet future demands.

For example, if you expect your patient load to increase in the near future, you may wish to hire an APRN with a master’s or doctoral degree to reduce pressure on your physicians. If you anticipate employee turnover, you might prepare by hiring additional nurses.

4. Seek feedback

Get feedback from your current staff regarding their most urgent needs. You can have one-on-one discussions or conduct an employee survey of supervisors, nurses, physicians and other care team members.

5. Consider your competitors

A well-trained team can be a key differentiator for healthcare practices and facilities. As a result, knowing what education requirements competitors have in place can be helpful. Search for nursing job postings in your area to assess the standard qualifications.

6. Check laws and regulations

A nursing degree is required to practice as a nurse. Licensing prerequisites vary from state to state, and you may align your education requirements with the minimum education standards for licensing in your area. Review your state’s board of nursing requirements for the latest licensing information.

6. Set your hiring budget

Choosing someone with a higher degree may give your facility a higher skill level, so you should ensure your budget can handle the higher wages. Researching the starting pay in similar healthcare facilities can help you set competitive salary ranges.

Frequently asked questions about types of nursing degrees

What are the benefits to requiring high-level nursing degrees?

Nurses with high-level credentials, such as master’s and doctoral nursing degrees, may be able to perform more tasks independently or with minimal supervision. Nurses with advanced education may be valuable resources and mentors for other nurses, supporting your overall employee development efforts.

Are there potential drawbacks of requiring higher-level nursing degrees for specific healthcare positions?

If you require higher-level nursing degrees for specific healthcare positions, you may limit your candidate pool. Consequently, it may take longer to fill your open position.

Requiring an advanced degree or BSN may overlook candidates with unique skills, specialized non-degree training or extensive experience. In some cases, these individuals may be just as capable of performing their assigned duties as someone with a higher-level degree.