NursingChoice/Degrees
NEW Online Nursing Degrees
There are a variety of educational programs available to become a registered nurse, and a variety of career opportunities open to nurses as they gain experience and continue their education. Due to busy schedules,mid-life career changes and part-time students/workers there has been an increasing demand for online training. CollegeandUniversity.net is one of the fastest growing online marketplaces for degree programs. Nursing
expertise is the result of theoretical knowledge, gained through study, and clinical experience, gained through practice. The expertise required to interpret a patient's condition and make complex decisions requires a sound knowledge base as well as clinical practice.
What are the different nursing degrees offered? This varies from college to college. It is possible that an institute that offers diploma in nursing may not have requisite set-up to offer doctorate-level nursing program and vice-versa. In general, the following nursing degrees are offered in United States:
- Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma
It is an entry-level tertiary education nursing degree. Usually, this degree is awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Students with a Diploma in Nursing can appear for the NCLEX-RN and also apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
- Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
ASN nursing degree is similar to Diploma in Nursing except that an ASN degree is given by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Students awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.Some hospital-based nursing schools that earlier granted diplomas have altered their curriculum to offer ASN nursing degrees.Practicing nurses having ASN degree can avail of fast-track programs offered by many nursing schools to earn bachelor's degree in approximately two years.Nursing degrees similar to ASN:
Associate of Nursing (AN)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN, BScN) or Bachelor of Nursing (BN)
This is a 4-year academic nursing degree in the science and principles of nursing. The degree is awarded by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school. In many countries, bachelor-level nursing degrees have become the norm adhered to as the entry-level for becoming a Registered Nurse.
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN is an advanced-level quaternary education degree for Registered Nurses. It is required to become an advanced practice nurse, such as a Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators. It is also a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education.The course curriculum of MSN nursing degrees may focus on one or more of different advanced nursing specialties such as acute care, adult health, family health issues, geriatrics, neonatal, palliative care, pediatric, psychiatric, women's health and so on. Hospitals offering advanced specialized medical care are known to take nurses with MSN nursing degrees to cater their clienteles.
- Doctor of Science in Nursing (DSN)
DSN is the most advanced of all nursing degrees and is an advanced-level quaternary education degree for Registered Nurses. A master's-level degree, usually Master of Science in Nursing or MSN, is a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education. A DSN degree becomes helpful if the aim is to pursue career as nurse educator. DSN is also preferred for nurses who climb to leadership positions.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Unlike DSN nursing degrees, DNP, though similar to DSN in few aspects, puts emphasis on clinical practice rather than research, teaching, or theory.
