What are the different types of nursing degrees?
If you’re hiring for a healthcare organization, having a solid understanding of different nursing roles, certifications and degrees available can help you with the hiring process. Consider including the following nursing degrees in your job descriptions, as they may be necessary for specific healthcare positions:
1. Certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate
Although not a formal nursing degree, certification and training as a nursing assistant may provide adequate education for certain entry-level patient care roles. A nursing assistant certificate program generally takes four to 12 weeks to complete.
A certified nursing assistant (CNA) performs 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 basic patient care and assistance with patient daily living activities.
Some tasks you may be able to assign to a CNA can include:
- Taking patient vitals
- Recording basic patient data and activities
- Providing patient personal care, such as bathing, grooming, feeding and toileting
- Assist in patient mobility, such as walking, transferring and getting in and out of bed
- Dispensing oral medication (depending on state regulations and may require additional certification)
- 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 both 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
- Administering oral medicine
- Inserting IVs and administering IV medication (depending on state regulations and may require additional certification)
- 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 typically need at least an associate’s degree. This two-year degree program prepares graduates to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam in order to qualify for a state 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 may 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 providers and physicians
- Supervising LPNs and CNAs
4. Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Many RNs opt for a four-year bachelor’s degree. While many healthcare facilities typically 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 a four-year BSN program that combines classroom and clinical experience and doesn’t require prior medical experience. The recipient completes all four years consecutively before taking the required NCLEX-RN exam and earning RN licensure in their state.
- 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 an associate degree typically transfer toward a bachelor’s degree.
- Second degree: Some people wanting to change careers might already have a bachelor’s degree. The liberal arts or core components of their degree may transfer, shortening the time required to earn a nursing degree.
A bachelor’s degree program can prepare RNs for higher-level positions, including those with supervisory responsibilities. In addition to required technical skills, these programs incorporate leadership development.
Bachelor’s degrees in nursing may be preferred or 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 of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. The coursework generally focuses on a core specialty area and may additionally include leadership, research and healthcare policy. A master’s degree program can prepare a nurse for a career as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
APRNs may choose from four main specialties, including:
- Nurse practitioner (NP): Similar to doctors, nurse practitioners can order tests, perform physical exams, diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication or other treatments and counsel patients on their conditions. While some states may require nurse practitioners to collaborate with a supervising physician, others grant full practice authority and allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. Nurse practitioners can complete educational programs to further specialize.
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS): A CNS may specialize in a certain patient population, treatment type, disease or treatment setting. Like NPs, they can diagnose and treat patients and typically work in acute care hospitals.
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM): A CNM provides prenatal care for patients throughout pregnancy, manages labor, delivers babies and cares for patients in the postpartum period. They can also provide health wellness care, including gynecological exams and family planning services.
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA): This type of APRN administers anesthesia and works closely with anesthesiologists, surgeons and other physicians. They are also responsible for watching patients during recovery and helping with pain management after procedures. Starting in 2025, all new CRNAs may be required to hold a doctoral degree. Graduates who already hold a CRNA certification may be able to 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 seeking leadership or administrative roles may choose a dual master’s degree program. With this option, the student earns two master’s degrees concurrently, typically faster than if they earned them separately. One of the two degrees is typically the Master of Science in Nursing. The other usually focuses on the business or health leadership aspect of nursing.
Examples of second-degree programs 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 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 already licensed as APRNs, but some nurses choose to pursue a doctoral degree rather than a master’s to become an APRN. It typically takes two to six additional years to complete the doctoral program, depending on the specific degree and any prior degrees the student holds.
The three main options for a doctoral nursing degree are:
- Doctor of nursing practice (DNP): This practice-based option often leads to expertise in clinical practice or may lead to executive positions in healthcare or nursing. The study may focus on clinical practice as an APRN or healthcare 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.
How to decide which nursing degree to require
It can be challenging to determine which nursing degree is required for open nursing 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 your current team 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
- Quality performance metrics
- 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. Lean into forecasting
Examine projections for bed occupancy rates, patient population changes and other key metrics, and assess how your nursing team can meet future demand.
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.
“Seeking feedback from current staff can provide valuable information regarding unit and organizational needs. Current employees can provide a unique perspective on common shortages in unit staffing or can help identify limitations impacting patient care. These feedback results can be utilized to guide hiring decisions.”
—Michelle Hensley, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS
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 and state license may be 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.
Different roles may be permitted or prohibited from performing certain skills based on state guidelines governing their scope of practice. Review your state’s board of nursing requirements for the latest licensing information.
7. 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 higher wages. Researching the starting pay in similar healthcare facilities can help you set competitive salary ranges.
Understanding the different types of nursing degrees can help you make a more informed hiring decision. Recruiting high-level nurses, such as nurse supervisors, can help improve patient services and keep your practice workflows efficient.
