Nursing Qualifications Explained: From Entry Level to Advanced (2024)

Demand for healthcare in the United States continues to surge, with an aging population, a higher prevalence of chronic conditions, a primary care provider shortage, and a mental health crisis all contributing. Competent, qualified, educated nurses—and lots of them—are needed to fill the gaps in care.

If you’re considering entering the nursing field, there’s never been a better time. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow by 6% over the next ten years, with over 191,000 job openings yearly. The advanced practice nurse (APRN) workforce is projected to grow faster, expanding by 38% over the next decade.

A nursing career might be for you if you want an engaging and stable job with leadership opportunities and flexible scheduling options. Some nursing education options are designed for working professionals looking to transition out of non-nursing fields and start their nursing practice quickly and efficiently.

However, not all nurses take the same nursing education pathway into practice. A registered nurse may have an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Some advanced practice nurses have a master’s or a doctorate degree. There are also quite a few nursing credentials available that nurses can earn to sharpen their skills in certain specialties.

Nurses with a bachelor’s degree can earn $86,070, while nurses who are equipped for advanced practice can earn an average of $129,480 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent data. Let’s look at the different types of nursing qualifications and degrees, from entry-level to advanced.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

ADN degrees are associate’s degrees designed to prepare nursing students for entry-level nursing jobs as RNs.

Nursing candidates who take this pathway complete anatomy, microbiology, patient assessment courses, and more. ADN students must also complete several hundred hours of in-person, hands-on learning experience, called clinical hours. The number of hours completed will vary according to state and program requirements.

Generally, an ADN degree takes two years to complete. Students who earn an ADN degree are then qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination and become registered nurses.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and ABSN

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is an entry-level undergraduate nursing degree that typically takes four years to complete.

Many employers prefer or even require their nurses to hold a BSN, and BSN-prepared nurses have an advantage in career advancement opportunities. About 70% of the current nursing workforce holds a BSN or higher.

Nursing candidates pursuing a BSN complete the courses required for ADNs and additional coursework in nursing theory, leadership, nursing ethics, and nursing research. Like ADN nurses, these students are also required to complete clinical hours. Nursing candidates must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree in another field can earn a BSN in far less time with an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing (ABSN). This fully accredited degree program leverages a nursing candidate’s previous educational experience to cut down on the time and expenses of earning a BSN degree. Students who pursue an ABSN may be able to complete the degree, including clinical requirements, in less than two years.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is a graduate-level degree that prepares nurses for advanced practice, leadership roles, and educator opportunities. Specialties such as nurse anesthetist, nurse educator, certified nurse midwife, and nurse administrator typically require a minimum of an MSN degree.

Most MSN programs require accepted applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. Some programs will consider a bachelor’s in a different field if certain prerequisite coursework has been fulfilled.

The coursework for an MSN includes advanced study of nursing theory and research methods and additional clinical hours. No standardized test is required to earn the degree, though certain specialties will require nurses a certification exam.

An MSN typically takes two years to complete. Some RN-to-MSN programs can be completed more quickly than that.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a doctoral degree that equips nurses for advanced practice nursing faculty, and leadership positions. DNP programs typically require applicants to hold a BSN before they are admitted. Some nurses enter the DNP program directly from their bachelor’s degree, while others earn an MSN first.

The DNP is a terminal degree, meaning it is the highest degree for nurses focusing on clinical practice. Aspiring nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists may seek out this degree.

The DNP is different from the MSN because it includes clinical instruction for advanced practice and advanced coursework on leadership in the healthcare setting. DNP-prepared nurses are equipped to work as leaders in healthcare administration and as teachers and researchers. Clinical hours and coursework that demonstrate the ability to apply evidence-based medicine are required.

There is no standardized test to earn the DNP, though certain specialties (certified nurse midwife, for example) will require nurses to pass a national certification exam. A DNP degree typically takes three to five years to complete.

PhD in Nursing

A nursing PhD—called a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing—like the DNP is the highest academic degree in the nursing field. This degree is for nurses who want to advance the field of nursing through conducting research, nurse education, and leadership in healthcare. Nurses who get a PhD often plan to work in academia or healthcare policy.

Nursing PhD students learn advanced research methodologies and write an original research dissertation. Although there is no certification test at the end, nurses must be prepared to defend their dissertation.

A PhD in nursing requires four to six years to complete. Nurses with a BSN do not necessarily need to complete other graduate degrees to begin a PhD. The exact duration of the program will vary according to the specialization, the program requirements, and the individual completing the program.

Nursing specialty certifications

Nurses can further their nursing education by earning specialty certifications. These certifications require nurses to demonstrate their expertise in a certain subject area.

Most certifications are earned by completing clinical practice hours and passing a certification exam. The certificate is then issued by an accredited and recognized governing body, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Each of these certifications has its own nursing education and qualification requirements. At the RN level, additional certifications are not required for nursing practice. But at the APRN level, a specialty certification is part of the educational requirements for licensure.

There are dozens of such certifications. Here are just a few:

How do you get started in nursing?

Aspiring second-career nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field should consider an ABSN. This degree leverages the education you’ve already earned so that you can quickly complete your Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and transition into an in-demand career with limitless potential for educational advancement. Many of these programs are designed with adult professionals in mind, with rigorous instruction offered through a remote learning model.

Take the first step toward becoming a nurse today. Input your zip code below to see what accelerated BSN programs are available in your area!