Your career training resource.
Unlike some career fields, prospective registered nurses have multiple educational options from which to choose. Specialized nursing training programs that last about three years administer a nursing diploma. Community and junior colleges offer associate degrees in nursing (ADN) after the completion of training programs that take between two and three years. Traditional universities offer a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN), which takes four years to complete.
Master’s degrees in nursing are also an option. Nurses with a bachelor’s or master’s degree will have the most opportunity for advancement, a higher earning potential, and the most thorough and well-rounded knowledge of the nursing field. A master’s degree especially, opens doors to advanced-level nursing work in research, education and consulting.
Salary Range:
$16,460 — $74,390
Education Level (minimum):
Associate degree
Growth Outlook (2002 – 2012):
21 – 35%
