There are several main types of nursing degrees. At the undergraduate level, future nurses may earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing through a traditional four-year program or an accelerated program. At the graduate level, nurses may earn a Master of Science in Nursing or a Doctor of Nursing Practice.
There are many nursing degree types that require different levels of education. The degree path you should choose depends on your starting point, professional goals, and your career interests. For example, you may start with a bachelor’s degree and then decide to pursue a graduate degree in a specific nursing practice area.
No matter how far you take your nursing education, you can build a solid foundation for your future with Concordia University, St. Paul’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Our Accelerated BSN program leverages your prior nursing education so that you can earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months.
Before submitting your application, take a closer look at the various nursing degree types at different levels of education. Learn about the differences between them to discover which degree is best suited to your needs. Then, explore your career options and opportunities for advancement.
What Can You Do With a Nursing Degree?
Before exploring the different nursing degrees, consider what you might do with your degree after earning it. As a registered nurse (RN), you could choose to practice across any number of nursing specialties. These practice areas may include:
- Adult-gerontology
- Emergency room
- Mental health
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Operating Room
- Rehabilitation
- Women’s health
There are also plenty of alternative nursing careers to consider, such as those that will take you out of the hospital. For example, you might want to take on one of the following roles:
- School nurse
- Home health nurse
- Hospice nurse
- Public Health
You’ll even find nurses working in managerial and administrative roles at healthcare facilities.
No matter what type of nursing career you decide to pursue, you can expect a robust job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth for registered nurses (RNs) is expected to be 5% from 2024 through 2034. At this rate of growth, healthcare employers expect to hire around 166,100 new nurses each year over this period.
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Types of Nursing Degrees
There are several types of degrees in nursing. Most students begin with an undergraduate degree before deciding whether to pursue graduate education. Understanding these nursing degree types can help you identify the best path based on your education, experience and career goals.
What Is a BSN Degree?
A BSN is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Upon successfully graduating with a BSN, you will be qualified to take the NCLEX-RN. All aspiring nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain a license to practice as a registered nurse.
The length of a BSN degree program can vary. Traditionally, it’s a four-year program that includes both general education classes and nursing education. Students typically enroll in a four-year BSN program if they don’t have previous college credits or a degree.
Individuals who decide to switch careers to nursing after having already completed a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 54 college credits can enroll in an Accelerated BSN program. An ABSN condenses the BSN education into a shorter timeframe. At CSP Global, you could graduate in as few as 16 months after completing prerequisites.
Does a BSN offer different nursing majors? No. At the undergraduate level, a nursing degree program focuses on teaching foundational nursing concepts and evidence-based practices to prepare the graduate for practice as a nursing generalist. The curriculum focuses on areas to prepare students to link their liberal arts and science course knowledge with nursing courses structured to prepare students to function competently within the scope of a registered nurse.
Students also participate in immersive learning designed to develop their clinical and skill competency. The program includes nursing labs and clinical and simulation learning experiences.
What Is an MSN Degree?
An MSN is a Master of Science in Nursing degree. This graduate-level nursing degree is designed for licensed registered nurses who want to expand their expertise. MSN programs often offer specialty concentrations for advanced practice nurses (APRN) with focuses in adult-gerontology, pediatric care, neonatal care, family health, midwifery, or psychiatric nursing.
An MSN can help nurses pursue advanced clinical roles, leadership positions, administration opportunities or nurse educator careers. Before applying, nurses typically earn a BSN, obtain licensure and gain clinical experience.
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What Is a DNP, DNAP, and Ph.D. in Nursing?
All three of these types of nursing degrees are terminal degrees, meaning that they are the highest point of academic achievement in the field. A DNP is a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, and a DNAP is a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice. A Ph.D. in Nursing is a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing.
The Ph.D. in Nursing is research-focused, whereas the DNP is practice-focused. In other words, you would choose a Ph.D. if you intend to become a nurse researcher or perhaps a nurse educator. In contrast, you would choose the DNP if you intend to continue providing clinical care and focus on quality improvement and the application of evidence-based practice in healthcare settings.
The DNAP is a specialty degree designed for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Like the DNP, it’s a practice-focused degree.
Earning a doctoral degree is a more intensive and lengthier experience than earning an MSN. Learners can expect to take a deep dive into the scientific underpinnings of nursing as they explore topics such as emerging areas of human health, population management, and translational research.
If you decide to obtain a graduate-level nursing education, you may pursue board certification and licensure as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). Four prominent APRN specialties are:
- Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
- Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
- Nurse practitioner (NP)
How to Choose the Right Nursing Degree
Choosing the right type of degree in nursing depends on where you currently are in your nursing education journey. If you’re interested in making a career change to nursing, then you should choose a BSN, such as through CSP Global’s ABSN program.
If you’re already a licensed nurse and you’re interested in advancing your career, consider pursuing an MSN or a doctoral degree. Plan on gaining at least a few years of experience before enrolling in a graduate nursing degree program. This will give you time to become familiar with the nuances of your nursing specialty and to decide if you’d like to stay within that practice area or transition to another one.
Start Your Nursing Education at CSP Global
No matter where your future career as a nurse takes you, your nursing education can begin at CSP Global. If you have a minimum of 54 non-nursing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and you’re interested in an accelerated pathway toward earning a BSN, CSP’s ABSN program may be right for you.
Through a combination of online coursework, nursing skills labs, and clinical learning opportunities, our nursing students prepare to become skilled clinicians and nurse leaders. Our curriculum is integrated with Christian principles, with an emphasis on ethical decision-making in healthcare.
Request information and connect with an admissions advisor to discuss the ABSN program requirements and admissions process.