As a career, nursing offers three things you want from any career—it’s stable and always in demand; there’s genuine room for career growth; and it lets you positively impact the people you interact with.
Another great thing about nursing? There are many pathways to becoming a nurse, and even more specializations and career options. So, how exactly do you become a nurse in the US? Let’s unpack each nursing degree in detail.
A Career in Nursing: What Should I Consider?
Enrolling in a nursing degree is no different from any other major life decision; it demands serious consideration. Why? If everything goes to plan, it’s a path you’ll navigate for most of your adult life. So naturally you’ll want to take it seriously.
Ask yourself: What are my short and long-term goals? How much time and money am I willing to invest in my education? What kind of work environment do I see myself becoming a part of? The questions can be as simple or as complex as you need. The main goal is to get to the heart of the matter: Why do you want to become a nurse? Answer honestly, and you’ll be on the right path from the beginning.
Nursing Degrees in the US: What are the Differences?
Two differences stand out when you compare nursing degrees in the US: the length of the degree and the level of qualification gained. For this guide, we’ll stick to the details, not personal preferences.
Licensed Practical Nurse Program
If becoming a nurse as soon as possible is your top priority, a Licensed Practical Nurse Program (or LPN) is where you should enroll. Most LPN courses only require you to hold a high school degree (or equivalent) to apply, though don’t rest on our word; check with your state as it may demand a minimum GPA or minimum scores on the GED (General Education Development) test.
LPN courses take a year to complete, so the time between enrollment and paid employment can be pretty short. The catch? You’ll only be qualified to give basic patient care. For this reason, a common role for an LPN graduate is in long-term or home care.
If you want a feel for nursing without the burden of a longer degree, try an LPN course. If you decide you want to upskill and become a Registered Nurse (RN), there are countless bridge courses available that let you take that step.
Nursing Diploma
Level up from an LPN, and you get a Nursing Diploma. This isn’t a college degree. Instead, it’s a course held by a technical school or your local hospital. With a diploma, you can expect to become an RN in two years.
While a Nursing Diploma is a fast, affordable path to becoming an RN, it doesn’t count toward a degree. If you already plan to pursue further study, keep this in mind.
Associate Degree in Nursing
Unlike the diploma, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) does count toward a college degree while also qualifying you to practice as an RN. This is a big plus in its favor, as it makes it easier (and cheaper) for you to pursue more study, should you need or want to.
It comes back to our first question: Why do you want to become a nurse? If you see yourself becoming a pediatric nurse or shifting toward a role in public healthcare, having those credits to put toward further study will get you there sooner.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Let’s address the drawbacks of enrolling in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – it’s more expensive than every other degree and takes double the time (four years) of a diploma or ADN. With these out of the way, let’s look at the benefits.
A BSN allows for greater earning potential and professional growth than the other degrees. You graduate with more advanced skills and are less likely to encounter any career roadblocks (many hospitals require you to have a BSN, at minimum).
If the idea of less study time still appeals to you, consider an accelerated bachelor’s degree (ABSN) because courses like hybrid ABSN programs compress a four-year degree into 15 months. Again, if getting into the workforce quickly matters, this is potentially the best path to take.
Life as a nurse is a life spent continuously learning; there’s no getting around this. Whether it’s through formal qualifications and certificates or self-guided learning about industry changes and new technologies, medicine is a field that expands almost by the second and requires its workforce to do the same.
The best part? There’s no right or wrong path to becoming the nurse you want to be. If one path doesn’t align with you, simply pivot and take another. Eventually, you will arrive at your nursing destination.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
