Nursing Degrees and Careers offer diverse opportunities for individuals passionate about healthcare. This dynamic field provides a clear and structured career path with numerous options for growth and advancement. By pursuing the right nursing education levels and passing the required exams, you can progress to higher roles with greater autonomy, responsibility, and pay.
At carejobs.ai, we explore the primary five levels of nursing practice and the essential nursing degrees that support them, giving you a roadmap to understand your career progression and long-term opportunities in the nursing profession.
Initial Considerations for the Various Nursing Levels
When exploring Nursing Degrees and Careers, it’s essential to understand the different nursing education levels and how they connect to your long-term goals. At the entry level, such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), certificate-based education programs allow you to start working sooner. These pathways are ideal for individuals eager to enter the workforce quickly, need to earn an income, or prefer to begin with a shorter training period. Entry-level positions let you work directly with patients while carrying fewer responsibilities than a Registered Nurse (RN), yet they also leave the door open for future advancement into higher roles as your education and experience grow.
As you move up through the levels of nursing practice, opportunities expand significantly. Roles at the RN level and above typically provide hourly pay or annual salaries well above the national average, increased autonomy, and a clear path toward supervisory or management positions. Higher-level nursing roles, particularly those requiring a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or advanced practice training, demand more time, money, and academic rigor but offer far greater responsibility and influence in patient care. For example, earning an advanced practice (AP) degree such as Nurse Practitioner (NP) or other APRN certifications can open doors to specialized, leadership, and higher-paying career paths within nursing.
Defining the 5 Levels of Nursing
1. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Nursing Assistants represent the foundational level in nursing degrees and careers, providing essential support that keeps the healthcare system running smoothly. CNAs assist patients with activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and general mobility. They also take vital signs, monitor patient conditions, and provide comfort and companionship throughout the day.
CNAs work under the supervision of RNs or LPNs across diverse healthcare settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare. While their scope of practice is more limited than higher-level nurses, CNAs play a critical role in patient care.
CNA Education and Job Outlook
To enter the field, CNAs usually complete a state-approved certificate program offered by a community college or their employer. Online programs exist but still require in-person clinical practice.
- Duration: A few weeks to several months
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Outcome: Prepares students to pass the state’s certification exam and assist nurses in providing basic patient care
Starting as a CNA allows aspiring nurses to gain hands-on experience with patients without committing to lengthy academic programs. However, the trade-off is lower pay. According to carejobs.ai, the average CNA wage in early July 2024 was $18.39 per hour.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that there were 1.4 million CNA and hospital orderly positions in the U.S. as of 2022, with an average growth rate of about 4% projected through 2032.
For CNAs aiming to advance in nursing degrees and careers, there are two main pathways:
- CNA-to-LPN Bridge Programs: Typically about one year of additional training.
- RN Degree Programs: Enroll in a two-year (ADN) or four-year (BSN) degree program to move into registered nursing, opening the door to higher responsibility, autonomy, and pay.
2. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) play a vital role in nursing degrees and careers, providing essential patient care under the supervision of registered nurses (RNs) and physicians. In Texas and California, LPNs are known as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), but both roles share similar responsibilities and scope of practice.
While specific duties may vary slightly by state, LPNs perform all tasks typically carried out by CNAs, with added responsibilities. These often include administering medications orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously as prescribed by physicians, cleaning and dressing wounds, changing bandages, and recording patient data, treatment plans, and progress notes. LPNs also educate patients on care instructions to follow after discharge, helping ensure continuity of care.
LPN Education and Career Opportunities
To become an LPN, aspiring nurses must complete a state-approved practical nursing certificate program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Community colleges and vocational schools commonly offer these programs.
- Duration: 12 to 18 months
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Outcome: Prepares students to pass the NCLEX-PN exam and deliver competent direct patient care
Compared to CNAs, LPNs enjoy more responsibilities, higher pay, and the ability to work directly with patients sooner than pursuing an RN education. According to carejobs.ai job listings during the same period, the average LPN wage was $23.32 per hour.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated around 650,000 LPN positions in 2022, with projected above-average growth of 5% through 2032.
For LPNs aiming to advance in nursing degrees and careers, bridge programs are available to move into RN roles. LPN-to-RN programs can take as little as one year for an associate degree or approximately two years for a bachelor’s degree, opening the door to greater responsibility, autonomy, and career growth.
3. Registered Nurse (RN)
Registered Nurses (RNs) hold a critical role in healthcare, providing comprehensive patient care across a variety of settings. In nursing degrees and careers, RNs represent a key step up from CNAs and LPNs, offering increased autonomy, responsibilities, and opportunities for advancement. While diagnosing conditions and prescribing medications are reserved for physicians and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), RNs manage day-to-day patient care and contribute significantly to treatment planning and patient education.
RN Responsibilities
In addition to the foundational tasks performed by CNAs and LPNs, RNs may:
- Patient Assessment: Conduct thorough physical assessments, review medical histories, and evaluate patient conditions.
- Care Planning: Develop, implement, and monitor individualized care plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
- Treatment Administration: Safely administer prescribed medications, treatments, and procedures.
- Patient Education and Discharge Planning: Teach patients and families about medical conditions, medications, lifestyle modifications, and post-discharge care to support recovery.
- Emotional Support: Provide counseling and emotional support to patients and families navigating health challenges.
- Specialty Practice Areas: Work in specialized fields such as critical care, pediatrics, oncology, surgery, maternity, and emergency care.
- Advanced Procedures: Perform clinical interventions like IV insertion, catheterization, and advanced life support when trained.
RN Education Pathways and Career Advancement
Aspiring RNs must earn licensure by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). To qualify for the exam, candidates must complete a minimum of an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or an equivalent Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN).
Many nurses pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which is increasingly preferred by employers for leadership positions or higher-paying specialties. Several educational pathways exist:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN):
- Duration: 2–3 years (or as little as 1 year through an LPN-to-RN bridge program)
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, sometimes including science prerequisites
- Outcome: Eligible for NCLEX-RN and entry-level RN positions
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN):
- Duration: 4 years (or 2 years via LPN-to-BSN bridge programs)
- Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Outcome: NCLEX-RN eligibility with greater opportunities for career growth, leadership, and specialization
- Accelerated BSN Programs:
- Duration: 12–18 months
- Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field
- Outcome: Expedited NCLEX-RN eligibility for college graduates
- RN-to-BSN Programs:
- Duration: 1–2 years (part-time or full-time, often online)
- Requirements: ADN/ASN degree and active RN license
- Outcome: Earn a BSN to advance in leadership and specialized roles
RNs earn higher pay and have more autonomy than CNAs and LPNs. Based on carejobs.ai job listings in early 2024, the average RN wage was $52.63 per hour.
The BLS estimated 3.2 million RN positions in 2022, with an anticipated above-average growth rate of 6% through 2032. Pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized roles allows RNs to climb the nursing degrees and careers ladder, gaining opportunities in management, education, or clinical specialties.
4. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) represent a higher tier in nursing degrees and careers, requiring advanced education and specialized training beyond the RN level. APRNs perform complex healthcare duties, often overlapping with physicians (MDs) and physician assistants (PAs), particularly in primary care, acute care, and specialized fields. The expansion of APRN roles has helped address critical staffing gaps in healthcare, including shortages of primary care providers and anesthesia professionals.
Types of APRN Roles
One of the most common APRN roles is the Nurse Practitioner (NP). Unlike RNs, who focus primarily on direct patient care and daily tasks, NPs diagnose and treat patients, develop care plans, and prescribe medications if authorized by state law. They can order and interpret diagnostic tests, develop treatment plans, and refer patients to specialists when necessary. NPs can specialize in a wide range of areas, including:
- Dermatology
- Adult to Geriatrics Acute Care
- Psychiatric Mental Health
- Oncology
- Primary Care Pediatrics
- Urology
Other APRN roles include:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): CNSs provide expert guidance to healthcare teams, lead research to improve patient outcomes, and educate staff on best practices. They may earn certifications in specialized patient populations or care areas, ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.
- Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM): CNMs deliver comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including prenatal, postnatal, and gynecological care. They manage labor and delivery, family planning, and contraceptive services. Certification is through the American Midwifery Certification Board.
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): CRNAs administer anesthesia during surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures while monitoring patients to ensure safety and comfort. CRNA training requires extensive clinical experience, typically 2,000 hours.
APRN Education Pathways and Career Advancement
Becoming an APRN requires a BSN degree with active RN licensure, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Many nurses work as RNs for several years to gain experience and fund their advanced education before pursuing an MSN.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN):
- Duration: 1.5–2 years post-BSN
- Requirements: BSN and active RN license
- Outcome: Prepares nurses for APRN roles with rigorous exams and clinical practice hours
State regulations dictate APRN autonomy. Some states allow APRNs to practice independently, while others require physician supervision, often indirect. Regardless, APRNs carry high responsibility, advanced clinical skills, and excellent compensation.
Compensation and Job Outlook
Based on carejobs.ai data in early 2024, NPs earned an average of $86.96 per hour, CNSs $88.15 per hour, and CNMs $86.96 per hour. CRNAs commanded the highest pay at $120.05 per hour. The BLS estimated over 300,000 APRN roles in 2022, projecting 38% growth across all APRN positions from 2022 to 2032. Nurse Practitioners alone are expected to experience a 45% increase in demand during this period. APRNs provide cost-effective, high-quality care, contributing to their expanding opportunities in nursing degrees and careers.
5. Doctoral-Level Nursing Degrees and Careers
While doctoral education isn’t strictly required to practice as a nurse, obtaining a doctorate in nursing can open doors to leadership, academic, and research roles within nursing degrees and careers. Doctoral programs provide nurses with advanced knowledge, specialized skills, and opportunities to shape healthcare at a systemic or educational level.
Types of Doctoral Nursing Degrees
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): The DNP focuses on clinical practice leadership. Nurses pursuing this degree often aim to supervise other clinical nurses, implement evidence-based practices, and enhance patient care outcomes in healthcare settings.
- Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS/DNSc): This research-oriented doctorate prepares nurses for careers in academic research and policy development, allowing them to contribute to advancements in nursing science and healthcare delivery.
- Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (PhD in Nursing): A PhD in nursing is ideal for nurses interested in university-level teaching or conducting advanced research. These nurses often shape nursing curricula, mentor the next generation of nurses, and lead pioneering studies in patient care and health systems.
Where Can Your Doctoral Nursing Career Take You?
Advanced degrees expand your professional opportunities and earning potential. Nurses with doctoral-level education can pursue high-level administrative positions, academic roles, research leadership, or advanced clinical practice.
carejobs.ai provides nationwide job listings across all five levels of nursing, helping you explore opportunities that match your degree, specialty, and location. Use the platform to discover competitive pay rates, local and remote roles, and positions that align with your career goals within nursing degrees and careers.
