Accredited Online Nursing Programs

Working as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be a solid choice for somebody who wants to start working and earning money as soon as possible, or who isn’t sure about a career in nursing. Many community colleges, some high schools, and even some hospitals and healthcare systems offer CNA courses.

The exact number of hours in these programs varies by state, but is usually approximately 150 hours. CNAs primarily assist patients with tasks such as dressing, eating, and bathing under the supervision of an RN.

Once you complete the course, you must pass the CNA examination to become certified in your state. While the pay is not competitive with other nursing jobs, becoming a CNA can be a very low-cost introduction to a career in nursing.

Becoming a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is an enticing option for students interested in a quick program that allows them to start working in healthcare ASAP at a step up from a CNA role. LPNs typically do not require a degree for licensure, just a certificate/diploma that takes about a year to complete. After finishing the program, you can take the NCLEX-PN and earn your LPN license

Given the current nursing shortage, LPNs are in high demand. Becoming an LPN can be a low-cost and short-term way to make a career pivot.

While LPNs and RNs share many of the same responsibilities, RNs have a larger scope of practice and typically enjoy higher salaries and more leadership opportunities than LPNs. As a result, you may be interested in applying to on-campus or online LPN-to-RN programs.

There are two pathways to becoming an RN — earning an ADN or a BSN. Both nursing degree levels prepare you to take the NCLEX-RN and earn an RN license, but the BSN is more valuable if you want a higher-level position or want to earn an MSN later in your career.

RNs conduct medical testing, provide treatment, educate patients, and work with APRNs or a physicians to create and carry out care plans. RNs work not only in healthcare settings, but also in facilities such as military bases, prisons, and nonprofits.

RNs are in tremendous demand because of the current nursing shortage and the aging Baby Boomer population. A nursing degree and RN license can be a very fruitful investment in your career.

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is the shorter route to a career as an RN, usually taking between two to three years to complete. While a high school diploma or GED certificate is required for this program, admission requirements tend to be less strict than BSN programs.

After completing your ADN, taking the NCLEX-RN examination, and earning a nursing license, you can become a registered nurse. However, many employers prefer a BSN and view the BSN as the minimum nursing degree level for adequate career preparation — so make sure to do your research before starting a program.

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) typically takes four years to earn, though it may take less if you have other nursing credentials or transferable college credits. You must have a high school diploma or GED certificate; at least some science and math classes; and, depending on how competitive the program is, a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Once you have earned a BSN through an online or on-campus nursing program, you are then eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination, earn a nursing license, and start working as an entry-level registered nurse.

While you can pursue RN credentialing with an associate degree in nursing, many employers view a BSN as the minimum nursing degree level for adequate career preparation.

If you want higher pay or more professional autonomy, an advanced nursing degree, like a master of science in nursing (MSN), can prepare you to become a nurse practitioner or an APRN. Depending on your state regulations, you may even be able to practice independently.

Most MSN programs take 2-3 years to complete and require a BSN and a 3.0 GPA. Some colleges have an RN-to-MSN bridge program that can be an accelerated option for nurses with an ADN.

An MSN is an excellent option for nurses who want to advance financially, have more career independence, or both.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are nurses who have earned an MSN or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) from an accredited on-campus or online nursing school and passed the certification examination for their specialty.

Unlike medical school, MSN programs focus on just one population or specialty, such as family care or acute pediatric care. An NP license authorizes you only to practice in that specialty or population. If your state offers full practice authority, you can even practice independently as an NP.

NP programs are either MSN or DNP programs, though some schools offer certification options that allow existing NPs to change specialties without having to repeat a full program from scratch.

Family practice is the most common NP specialty. Family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are licensed to act as primary care providers. These professionals can order medical tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe treatment.

FNPs work in a number of settings, including hospitals and health systems, independent practices, and other healthcare settings. Depending on the state and workplace, they may work independently or under the supervision of a physician. They may also supervise RNs and other nursing staff.

A typical MSN FNP program takes 2-3 years to complete and includes extensive fieldwork in family practice settings. Some programs offer hybrid or online options, though you may need to find your own fieldwork placement for online nursing degrees.

Demand for mental health nursing is growing in most parts of the country, especially in areas affected by the opioid crisis. You can start your career in mental health nursing by taking an entry-level RN job in an institution that offers mental health care. As you advance in your career, however, you may want to consider becoming an APRN or earning certification.

Mental health nurses may collaborate with other mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or counselors.

Mental health nursing, like public health nursing, is a master’s or certification program rather than a BSN program. RNs or APRNs can work in mental health nursing.

Critical care nurses care for patients with unstable health from illness or injuries. They are sometimes also called intensive care unit (ICU) nurses. Depending on the hospital, they may work in neonatal, pediatric, or adult ICU settings.

Like other nursing specialties, RN programs online or on-campus cover the basics of critical care nursing. Nurses seeking to specialize can take continuing education courses and pursue certification. This field calls for advanced collaboration skills and quick thinking in crises.

Most critical care nurses learn on the job and pursue continuing education to become certified in critical care or in critical care specialty topics.

Medical-surgical nurses provide patient care before and after surgical procedures. The majority of this care takes place in hospital inpatient settings, but it can also occur in other settings, such as a plastic surgery office or in a patient’s home during recovery. The role also involved patient or family education, such as teaching patients or those helping them how to treat wounds and how to look for signs of infection.

There is no degree program for medical-surgical nurses. Instead, medical-surgical nurses can pursue certification in medical-surgical nursing through continuing education, work experience, and passing certifying board examinations.

Clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) are APRNs who specialize in a particular population and have passed the CNS certification examination in their specialty field. While they may engage in hands-on patient care, their primary focus is acting as a leader and educator.

They focus on identifying best practices and ensuring hospital staff knows how to use them through education, developing procedures, or other leadership tools.

To become a CNS, you must earn an MSN, pass the certification examination, and apply for a state CNS license.