Nursing Degree Options and Career Paths

Upon successful completion of an LPN Program, students will earn a Practical Nursing Diploma and will have the opportunity to take the NCLEX-PN exam (The National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses). After passing the exam, graduates are eligible for licensure. 

Median salary for an LPN: $48,070¹ as of May 2021.

Potential Working Facilities

• Nursing care facilities
• Hospitals
• Physicians’ offices
• Home health care services
• Outpatient care centers

Potential Job Tasks

• Provide basic nursing care
• Measure vital signs
• Collect fluid samples
• Administer medications
• Maintain records

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students earn an Associate's Degree in Nursing. After receiving this degree, graduates are qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam (The National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses). Once the exam has been passed successfully, a student may become licensed as a Registered Nurse. 

Median salary for an RN with an Associate’s Degree: $66,504² as of June 2022

Potential Working Facilities

• Hospitals
• Nursing care facilities
• Physicians’ offices
• Home health care services
• Outpatient care centers
• Correctional facilities
• Schools and universities

Potential Job Tasks

• Provide and coordinate patient care
• Assist doctors in exams and surgeries
• Lab work
• Evaluat and record patient symptoms
• Teach patients about their conditions

A four year Bachelor’s Degree is not required for entry into professional nursing. However, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may be obtained through an RN Program at an institution of higher education. This degree may qualify nurses for administrative, research, consulting, and teaching positions

Median salary for an RN with a Bachelor’s Degree: $69,535³ as of June 2022

Potential Job Tasks

• Provide and coordinate patient care
• Supervise other nurses
• Assist doctors in exams and surgeries
• Lab work
• Evaluate and record patient symptoms
• Teach patients about their conditions

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree is an advanced, postgraduate degree offered at institutions of higher learning for Registered Nurses interested in furthering their careers. Nurses with Master’s Degrees may take positions in nurse education, health policy, clinical leadership, and other advanced nursing roles.

Median salary for an RN with a Master’s Degree: $75,299⁴ as of June 2022

Potential Positions

• Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Advance Practice Nurse
• Certified Nurse Midwife
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

A nurse with a Master’s Degree may move on to pursue a doctorate degree in nursing. There are four different types of professional doctorate degrees that focus either on advanced nursing, diagnosis, and disease treatment practice, research and analysis, or teaching and academics.

1. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) – Focusing on clinical practice leadership training
2. Doctor of Nursing (ND) – For developing advanced specialist skills
3. Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) – Emphasizes investigative and research skills
4. Doctor of Nursing Philosophy (PhD) – Focusing on scholarly research and academics

Potential Work Facilities

• Hospitals
• Public health offices
• Research facilities
• Independent practices
• Universities

Potential Positions

• Faculty member
• Director of Nursing Research
• Director of Clinical Services
• University professor
• Researcher

Jersey College offers a LPN Program for a PN Diploma and a RN Program for an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Get your nursing career started!

1 US Bureau of Labor Statistics
2 https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Associate_Degree_Nursing_(ADN)/Salary
3 http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Bachelor_of_Science_in_Nursing_(BSN)/Salary
4 http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Science_in_Nursing_(MSN)/Salary