There are various levels of nursing, each with different educational requirements. Listed are the levels of nursing up to a bachelor’s degree.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Education is only generally 6–18 weeks
- Growth rate of 11%
- Median salary of $28,530/year
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- Certified Medical Assistant (CMA)
- Education is generally 6–9 months
- Growth rate of 29%
- Median salary of $33,610/year
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), PNC (Practical Nursing Certificate), LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse)
- Education is approximately 1 year
- Growth rate of 12%
- Median salary of $46,240/year
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- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Education is approximately 2–4 years
- Growth rate of 15%
- Median salary of $71,730/year
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- Nurse Practitioner
- Education is approximately 6 years (master’s degree required)
- Growth rate of 31%
- Median salary of $113,930/year
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Registered Nurse Educational Levels
You may be interested in becoming an RN. In 2–4 years, you can earn an average salary of $65,470 in an occupation with a higher than average growth rate. To become an RN, you may need one of the following degrees:
- Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Education is approximately 2-3 years
- Associate’s Degree of Science in Nursing (ASN)
- Education is approximately 2-3 years
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- Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Education is approximately 4 years
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Many RN’s with a 2-year ADN or ASN go on to earn a 4-year degree (or BSD). However, both 2-year degree holders and 4-year BSD degree holders qualify to be an RN. Of course, once you obtain your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can keep going! Many employers in the health industry have tuition reimbursement that you may be able to take advantage of to fund your higher education.
Nurse Practitioner
Finally, with your bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can continue on with a master’s degree in nursing and become a nurse practitioner.
- Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing (MSN)
- Education is approximately 2 years after your bachelor’s degree
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