University Nursing Courses

Taking nursing courses through an accredited, established university is the best way to go. But, students who are new to the nursing profession may be better off attending a community college or vocational school first.

Making the right choice means knowing what these schools offer.

Types of University Degrees

Here is a list of degree programs most commonly offered by universities:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – This is a 4-year degree for first-time freshmen that will result in licensing as a registered nurse. If a student decides to enroll part time, it will take longer to complete the program. Students who already have an LPN, RN or any kind of bachelor’s degree should consider one of the other programs in this list.
  • LPN to BSN – Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) can earn their BSN in as little as two years with this bridge program. It is a great opportunity for LPNs to not only become registered nurses but to also earn a bachelor’s degree.
  • RN to BSN program – Licensed RNs can upgrade their diploma or associate’s degree to a BSN in as little as two years with this bridge program, which is widely offered in universities across the US. A Registered Nurse can earn more money and open the door to more opportunity by earning a bachelor’s degree, which is quickly becoming the standard in the field.

RN to BSN programs are almost always designed to accommodate working nurses. Classes are often offered at night or online. Students who are worried about the time commitment should talk with a university counselor about the program’s flexibility.

  • Accelerated BSN/Second degree BSN programs – These programs are for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a field unrelated to nursing. They allow the general education (or lower division) classes students have already taken to count toward their BSN, allowing them to jump right in to nursing courses.

Second degree programs follow a normal pace, with students graduating in approximately two years. Accelerated BSN programs, as the name implies, are fast-paced, full-time programs that graduate students in as little as 12 to 18 months. Students who can’t go to school full time or aren’t sure if they’re suited to a nursing career shouldn’t apply to an accelerated program.

A 3.0 GPA is often an entrance requirement for both types of programs.

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nurses who have a BSN may want to get further training in a particular specialty to become advanced practice nurses (APNs). Nurses have the option to study administration/management, nurse education, informatics, anesthesiology, midwifery or any of the many clinical nurse specialties, such as pediatrics, medical-surgical, maternity and mental health.

MSN programs take about two to three years to complete and are almost always designed to fit the schedules of working nurses. Many programs are offered online or have an online component, but clinical work will be required and may cause a nurse to juggle her full-time job to accommodate.

  • RN to MSN program – RNs who have an associate’s degree and know they want to pursue a master’s degree immediately after earning a BSN are ideal candidates for this program. This program streamlines the process of getting the two degrees because the student doesn’t have to apply separately for the master’s program after finishing a BSN, and care is taken to ensure that no repeat courses are taken.
  • Doctorate programs – MSNs who want to pursue a doctorate can choose from two types of degrees:

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): This degree focuses on clinical practice rather than research. MSNs can further hone specialty skills with doctoral-level training. These programs can take upwards of three years to complete. although there are many different types of nurses, most don’t require doctorate-level education.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): This degree focuses on scholarly research, preparing students to become nursing professors. Nursing programs are perpetually in need of teachers, so Nursing PhDs are in high demand.

Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc) and Doctor of Nursing (ND) programs are slowly being replaced by one of the two programs above.

Can I get an associates degree from a university?

No. Universities only award bachelor’s degrees and graduate (master’s and doctoral) degrees. Students wanting to obtain an LPN, nursing diploma or an associate’s degree in nursing should investigate community colleges or vocational schools, which are the institutions that offer these degrees.

While an LPN, diploma or associate’s degree can be a great place to start, a BSN is quickly becoming the standard for employers, and advanced degrees are coveted in the profession. A higher degree also means a higher salary and more opportunity for advancement.

Students wanting an LPN, diploma or associate’s degree should look at it as a stepping stone to a higher level of education.