You can become a nurse with several different degrees, ranging from a one-year practical nursing certificate to a doctoral degree. The most common entry point is either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes two to three years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Both qualify you to sit for the same licensing exam and work as a registered nurse, but they open different doors over the course of your career.
Practical Nursing: The Fastest Path
If you want to start working in patient care as quickly as possible, a practical nursing program is the shortest route. These programs typically take about one year and prepare you to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), sometimes called a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California and Texas. LPNs provide basic patient care in settings like long-term care facilities, clinics, and home health. The trade-off is real, though: job opportunities and earning potential are more limited compared to registered nurses, and LPNs generally work under the supervision of an RN, advanced practice nurse, or physician.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An ADN is the most accessible path to becoming a registered nurse. These programs are commonly offered at community colleges, take two to three years, and cost significantly less than a four-year university. After graduating, you’re eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, the same exam that BSN graduates take. Once you pass, you hold the same RN license.
The average salary for a nurse with an ADN is around $75,000 per year. Many hospitals and health systems still hire ADN-prepared nurses, though that trend is shifting in some areas. If cost or time is a barrier, starting with an ADN and bridging to a BSN later is a well-worn and practical strategy.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A BSN is a four-year degree and increasingly the preferred credential for registered nurses. Many hospitals, especially large academic medical centers and Magnet-designated facilities, now prefer or require a BSN for new hires. The extra two years of education cover leadership, public health, research methods, and community nursing, which broadens the types of roles available to you.
The salary difference is meaningful. BSN-prepared nurses earn an average of $92,000 per year compared to $75,000 for ADN nurses. That $17,000 annual gap adds up to more than half a million dollars over a 30-year career. A BSN also serves as the foundation for graduate school if you later want to become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife.
New York State now requires registered nurses to earn a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing within 10 years of becoming licensed. Other states have considered similar legislation. Even where it’s not legally required, the industry is clearly moving toward the BSN as the standard.
What You’ll Need Before You Apply
Nursing programs require a set of prerequisite courses, most of them in the sciences. A typical BSN program expects you to complete human anatomy, human physiology, microbiology, general chemistry (at least one with a lab), statistics, college algebra, nutrition, general psychology, developmental psychology, sociology, English composition, and sometimes cultural studies or anthropology. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, most programs require only the core science prerequisites: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics.
Beyond coursework, nursing programs include a substantial number of clinical hours, which are hands-on training in hospitals, clinics, and other care settings. The exact number varies by state, as each state board of nursing sets its own requirements. Some states allow a portion of clinical hours to be completed through simulation labs.
Bridge Programs for Working Nurses
If you already have your RN license through an ADN or diploma program, RN-to-BSN programs let you earn your bachelor’s degree without starting over. These programs are widely available online and can be completed in as little as two semesters. You’ll typically need around 31 new credits, and you’ll receive credit for your existing nursing license and prerequisite coursework. The total credit count for the degree still reaches 120, but much of that is already accounted for.
Graduate Degrees: MSN and DNP
To work as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), which includes nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives, you need at least a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). An MSN typically takes two to three years beyond a BSN and qualifies you for a separate advanced practice license with considerably more clinical autonomy and higher pay.
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is the highest practice-focused degree in nursing. In 2004, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing endorsed the DNP as the standard for advanced practice preparation, and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties committed to moving all entry-level nurse practitioner education to the DNP by 2025. In practice, however, the MSN remains the current licensing requirement for APRNs in most states. The shift toward requiring a doctorate has been slow, and there is no definitive timeline for when it will become mandatory across the board.
Choosing an Accredited Program
Whatever degree level you pursue, attending an accredited program matters for two practical reasons: it ensures you’re eligible for federal financial aid, and it ensures your degree will be recognized when you apply for licensure or transfer credits. Three main accrediting bodies evaluate nursing programs in the United States. ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) accredits programs at every level, from practical nursing certificates through doctoral degrees, and covers over 1,400 programs domestically and internationally. CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) accredits bachelor’s and master’s programs only. The National League for Nursing also provides accreditation. All three are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Before enrolling, confirm that the specific nursing program (not just the college) holds accreditation from one of these organizations. An unaccredited program can leave you unable to sit for your licensing exam, regardless of how much time and money you’ve invested.
Which Degree Is Right for You
Your best choice depends on your timeline, budget, and career goals. If you need to start earning quickly and can’t commit to four years of school, an ADN from a community college gets you into the workforce fastest as an RN, and you can complete a bridge program later. If you have the time and resources for a four-year degree, a BSN positions you for higher pay, more job options, and easier access to graduate education. If you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field, accelerated BSN programs compress the nursing curriculum into 12 to 18 months. And if you’re aiming for advanced practice, plan on at least a master’s degree, with the possibility that a doctorate will eventually become the standard.