Nursing programs and careers
Rhiannon has previously worked as a copywriter and has a PhD in crime history. She loves horror games, pub quizzes and her two adopted cats.
Dr. Rhiannon Pickin
Author
Key information
- Salary with bachelor’s degree: $72,513
- Best state for nursing: Alaska
- Salary with master’s degree: $101,556
Nursing is the largest medical profession in the U.S., comprising over 3.8 million registered nurses. Nurses touch people’s lives by providing care to those who need it most. Positions tend to be hands-on and patient-facing, making nursing highly meaningful but sometimes stressful.
There are lots of ways to become a nurse, with plenty of opportunities to specialize. Here you’ll find an overview of how to become a nurse, what you can do with a degree in nursing, and which nursing schools give you the best return on investment.
What do you learn in nursing school?
Nursing programs provide practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care at all stages of life. You’ll learn the fundamentals of nursing through textbook theory as well as more practical tasks like how to insert an IV into a patient. You might also start clinical rotations from your first or second semester, where you’ll experience hands-on learning in a hospital environment.
The practical elements of nursing school mean you’ll be spending a lot of time on campus. There are however distance learning options, as approximately 20% of undergraduate nursing programs are offered fully online. Online nursing programs with clinical requirements outsource their rotations to teaching hospitals. Note that as an online BSN student, you may be responsible for finding your own rotations, supervisors, and proctors.
Types of nursing degrees
There are multiple levels of nursing education, from certificates in basic nursing care to doctoral research degrees.
- Non-degree certificates: lead to entry-level opportunities in nursing support functions. You can get specific diplomas to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Time commitment: 4-12 weeks.
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN): the minimum requirement to become a registered nurse. Usually taught at community colleges and cheaper than a BSN degree. Time commitment: 2 years.
- Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN): expands the responsibilities and career opportunities available as a registered nurse. Time commitment: 4 years.
- Master of science in nursing (MSN): requirement for advanced practice registered nurses, opening doors to a variety of different nursing specializations. Time commitment: 1-2 years.
- Doctor of nursing practice (DNP): a professional, or applied doctorate, DNPs can step into executive roles at hospitals or other healthcare facilities, and/or work as an educator in nursing school. Time commitment: 3-4 years.
»Read: The ultimate guide to getting into nursing school
Nursing bridge programs
Bridge programs allow nurses to acquire the necessary qualifications to take the next step in their career. Bridge programs focus on teaching practical skills and offer flexibility so that nurses can continue to work while studying. Lab work and clinical hours can often be done at the nurse’s current place of work.
Nursing bridge programs include:
Nursing school accreditation
Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Accreditation is important because it:
You can either apply directly to colleges that offer accredited nursing programs or use NursingCAS to send BSN or MSN applications to multiple schools at once.
Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
The ADN is often pursued by those wishing to enter the nursing profession as quickly as possible. It is a professional degree, meaning it provides hands-on training. It’s sometimes referred to as an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) or an AASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing).
An ADN is the quickest and most affordable path to becoming an RN. However, some states have started passing laws that allow nurses to become registered with an associate degree but require them to earn a BSN within 10 years of their initial licensure to continue practicing. Luckily, the ADN leaves doors open for finishing an accelerated BSN a few years down the line should you choose to do so.
Jobs you can get with non-degree certificates and an associate degree in nursing (ADN)
In all 50 states, it’s possible to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse with an associate degree. There are however other entry-level nursing jobs that are obtainable with a non-degree certificate or an ADN.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
CNAs provide basic nursing care, which includes helping patients with their daily living activities. They rarely provide any direct medical care because of their limited training.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
8.3%
Wage estimates
$23,880
10%
$28,900
25%
$30,310
Median
$37,170
75%
$44,240
90%
Licensed practical vocational Nurse (LPN)/Licensed vocational nurse
LPNs and LVNs provide basic medical care to patients under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN).
Projected growth (2020-2030)
9.3%
Wage estimates
$37,150
10%
$46,410
25%
$48,070
Median
$59,770
75%
$63,790
90%
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Net cost
$19,311
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings
$72,513
Median earnings 3 years after graduating.
Payback
2.06 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus
+ $21,425
Compares earnings from this specific program against the national average for all graduates at this degree level.
Economic score
1.5
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Aspiring RNs usually undertake a BSN at some point in their career. While some states allow nurses to practice with an associate degree in nursing, career advancement may depend on earning a BSN. Additionally, 46% of employers require newly hired nurses to have a bachelor’s degree, while another 88% strongly prefer nurses with bachelor’s degrees. A higher salary, more available jobs, and better training in a specialized area are some of the main benefits of a BSN.
Short-term BSN earnings, 3 years after finishing school, are $72,513. This is $26,063 higher than the $46,450 bachelor’s median, placing nursing salaries in the top 10% out of a total 289 programs measured.
The job outlook is positive too, with the need for registered nurses projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. Note that this data includes all BSN graduates regardless of their field of employment after graduation.
Cost of nursing schools and paying back your BSN
The average annual cost of a BSN is $19,311. It takes the average bachelor’s in nursing student 2.1 years to earn back the money they invested in their degree, compared to 4.51 years for all bachelor’s students. Payback is calculated by dividing the costs of attending a school by the average earnings compared to peers in the state without a college education.
Payback amount
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Registered Nursing
2.1
National average
3.8
Economic score
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Registered Nursing
1.5
National average
3.8
Our economic score also takes into account EarningsPlus – how much more or less BSN students earn when compared to the weighted average nationally for all majors. The economic score of 2.04 places the bachelor’s in nursing in the top 20% for all bachelor’s degrees, making an education in nursing a very safe investment.
Find the best BSN programs
Discover the top BSN programs
Explore the best BSN programs by state
Check out the best online BSN colleges
Top 3 nursing schools for undergraduates
Based on economic performance, CUNY Hunter College, New York, CUNY Lehman College, New York, and Chipola College, Florida, are the 3 top nursing schools nationally that offer undergraduate nursing programs.
#1
CUNY Hunter College
Payback
Under 6 months
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus
+ $15,680
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.12
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
#2
CUNY Lehman College
Payback
Under 6 months
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus
+ $24,336
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.12
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
#3
Chipola College
Payback
Under 6 months
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus
– $9,758
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.17
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better.
Many nursing programs are eligible for loan forgiveness. Examples include the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program (NCLRP), which covers up to 85% of your nursing education debt if you spend at least 2 years working in a Critical Shortage Facility; the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives your remaining federal loans after a minimum of 120 qualifying monthly payments; and the Army Active Duty Health Professions Loan Repayment Program, through which nurses who served in the Army for at least 3 years can quality for up to $120,000 for repaying nursing loans
Careers with a BSN
National wage average
$45,760
National demand increase (2021-31)
7.7%
Long-term salaries for BSN-level nursing roles are much higher than the average for all occupations and exceed the average for all bachelor’s-level occupations as classified by the BLS and Census Bureau ($59,600, ages 25-34).
Registered nurse (RN)
Registered nurses assess and manage patients. They often work in general or private hospitals. You need to complete an ADN or BSN to become an RN. There are many nursing jobs that require you to be an RN. These include:
- NICU nurses treat premature and critically ill newborns.
- OB/GYN nurses are specialists in female reproductive health.
- Pediatric nurses are responsible for infant, child, and adolescent patients.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
9%
Wage estimates
$59,450
10%
$61,790
25%
$77,600
Median
$97,580
75%
$120,250
90%
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN degrees allow RNs to specialize and become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who go on to earn higher salaries. If you decide to go down the non-practitioner track, an MSN can open doors to nursing jobs in administration, leadership, informatics, nurse education, and health policy management. It can also be a path to specialization, such as becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), public health nurse, or clinical nurse specialist.
» Read: The best graduate nursing programs
Some nursing schools offer MSN tracks for applicants with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields who are seeking to become RNs. These programs may be twice as long as regular programs. After 2 years of study, these students can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become RNs while completing their graduate education.
Is a master’s in nursing worth it?
Debt
$50,446
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
Earnings
$101,556
Median earnings 3 years after graduating.
Debt-to-earnings
Under 6 months
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus
+ $37,369
Compares earnings from this specific program against the national average for all graduates at this degree level.
Economic score
0.3
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median earnings of MSN graduates 3 years after attending school are $101,556. This is $37,369 more than the national average, placing MSN graduate earnings in the top 10% out of a total 228 of programs measured. MSN students see a $29,043 (or 28.6%) increase in earnings over the bachelor’s degree, which is significantly higher than the national average of $13,099.
The average annual cost of an MSN is $20,429 and it takes less than 6 months for master’s of nursing graduates to earn back the money they invested in their degree. The economic score of 0.49 places the master’s in nursing in the top 25% for all master’s degrees. If you are a nurse who wants to specialize or climb their way to the next pay grade, an MSN is a smart investment.
Debt-to-earnings
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Registered Nursing
0.5
National average
0.8
Economic score
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Registered Nursing
0.3
National average
0.8
Find the best MSN programs
Explore the best MSN programs
Discover the best MSN programs in your state
Check out the best online MSN colleges
Top 3 nursing schools offering MSN programs
According to our economic score, Texas A&M International University, Texas, Central Connecticut State University, Connecticut, and CUNY Hunter College, New York, are the top 3 schools for graduate nursing education nationally.
#1
Texas A & M International University
Payback
Under 6 months
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus
+ $24,697
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.12
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
#2
Central Connecticut State University
Payback
Under 6 months
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus
+ $84,529
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.14
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
#3
CUNY Hunter College
Payback
Under 6 months
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing debt by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual debt is the same as annual earnings.
EarningsPlus
+ $10,382
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark of all students with the same graduate degree, adjusting for the in-state / out-of-state composition of the student body.
Economic score
0.15
The Economic Score is the combination of debt-to-earnings ratio and earningsplus. We use the economic score to determine a graduate program’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
Careers with a master’s in nursing
National wage average
$45,760
National demand increase (2021-31)
7.7%
Long-term wages for MSN graduates are significantly higher than the average for all occupations, and MSN nurses also earn well above the average for all occupations according to the Census Bureau ($69,700, ages 25-24).
There are many nursing career paths for those who graduate from MSN programs. Some of the best nursing specialties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Nursing instructor/nurse educator
Nursing instructors/nurse educators are RNs with an advanced graduate education who are recruited to teach and train other nurses.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
22.5%
Wage estimates
$47,630
10%
$61,390
25%
$77,440
Median
$98,680
75%
$125,930
90%
Nurse midwife
Nurse midwives offer a range of care for pregnant women and newborns.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
12.3%
Wage estimates
$61,500
10%
$96,040
25%
$112,830
Median
$130,450
75%
$166,170
90%
Nurse practitioner
Nurse practitioners focus on evaluating the needs of patients and can prescribe their treatments. They can also be specialized in a specific or broad field of nursing.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
52.2%
Wage estimates
$79,470
10%
$99,540
25%
$120,680
Median
$129,680
75%
$163,350
90%
Nurse anesthetist
Nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who administer anesthetics to patients.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
12.7%
Wage estimates
$131,840
10%
$164,860
25%
$195,610
Median
N/A
75%
N/A
90%
Clinical nurse specialist
Clinical nurse specialists are responsible for treating patients while also being in a leadership, research, or teaching positions.
Projected growth (2020-2030)
52.2%
Wage estimates
$79,470
10%
$99,540
25%
$120,680
Median
$129,680
75%
$163,350
90%
Final thoughts
The work nurses do on a daily basis intersects with many vital issues of our day – from public health, aging, and diversity, to war, poverty, and the prison system. Nurses care for people at their most vulnerable – from NICU nurses tending to premature infants, to hospice nurses ensuring pain management and dignity at the end of life.
With so many career paths and options for advancement and specialization, there are plenty of ways you can become a nurse. Nursing professionals are in high demand across the country, in community and acute care settings such as public health agencies, primary care clinics, nursing homes, outpatient clinics, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, and the military.
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