ADN, AAS, Generic BSN, RN-to-BSN...ACK! HELP!

It has been a long while since my last post, but it is because I have been very busy with my career, school, and family. I hope my previous posts have been helpful to you all. I am happy to be back!

I remember when I first thought about entering nursing school (back in the day). My university had a generic BSN program only, so that is what I applied for. I did not realize until I was admitted and actually taking course work that there are many different types of programs. Now that we have the ability to easily research things on the internet, I felt it would be nice to provide a brief explanation of the most common pathways to becoming a nurse all in one place. This list is not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive. If you have a suggestion for a different program to be included, please send a message or comment, and I will do my best to make updates to this list. Also, please note that this only includes undergraduate designations within the United States. Remember, always look at the application requirements for any program you are applying to, as each program will be different.

Practical Nurses

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)

To become a licensed practical nurse, one must first attend approximately 12-18 months of practical nursing coursework. Coursework can be delivered through a community college, university, or freestanding program. Coursework is generally approximately 50% clinically-based. Some programs require applicants to complete non-nursing prerequisite courses before they can be considered for entry. Some common prerequisites are math courses (like college algebra) and biology courses (such as fundamental biology or anatomy and physiology). Other practical nursing programs will have these courses built into their curricula, where they teach students what they need to know as they progress through the program.

Upon successful completion of the practical nurse educational program, LPN program graduates receive a practical nursing certificate (not a degree) and must then take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Upon successful completion of this national licensure examination, the graduate is then licensed and receives the title of Licensed Practical Nurse. LPNs work under the direction of registered nurses and physicians.

The LVN program is very similar to the LPN program, with only a name difference. Only a few states use the LVN designation rather than LPN. Graduates from this type of program must also take the NCLEX-PN, but have the title Licensed Vocational Nurse when they pass the licensure examination.

Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse (LPTN)

This type of nurse is trained in nursing, but with an emphasis on mental health. Graduates from this program also take the NCLEX-PN. Once they successfully pass the licensure examination, they are given the title Licensed Psychiatric Technician Nurse.

Registered Nurses

All nurses in this section are registered nurses (RNs), but the focus is on the different program types. Registered nurses work under the direction of physicians and/or advance practice nurses.

Diploma Program

Diploma programs are disappearing as research shows that higher education for nurses results in better patient outcomes. However, there are still some diploma programs scattered across the United States. Students in this type of program generally must complete some non-nursing prerequisites or take those courses while in the program. Diploma programs tend to focus on the clinical aspect of nursing, and are most often hospital-based. A graduate from this type of program will receive a diploma in nursing, and must sit for the NCLEX-RN to receive their nursing license. After successfully passing the NCLEX-RN, the graduate becomes an RN.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

This is the first nursing program listed in which graduates receive a degree from a college or university. The college or university may or may not be affiliated with a hospital. Students must complete some non-nursing prerequisites prior to entry in the program. Many programs of this nature are designed to allow nursing students to complete other non-nursing required courses while also taking nursing courses. Coursework generally takes 2-3 years to complete. Graduates from this type of program receive an associate degree (AD) in nursing or something similar, such as an associate degree in applied science (AAS) or associate degree in applied science in nursing (AASN). The actual degree name is based on curriculum design and how the department of higher education denotes such a degree in each state. Graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN in order to become licensed.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

This type of program may also be called a "generic BSN" because it is a higher-level degree (Bachelor degree instead of Associate degree) but one does not have nursing experience before entering this program. Many BSN programs require their applicants to have completed most or all non-nursing prerequisites before applying, so that all the time spent after being accepted into the program is devoted solely to nursing coursework. The total time it takes to complete this degree can vary widely, but it commonly takes 4 years to complete. While this type of program does focus on clinical nursing, another major focus is that of nursing theory, along with leadership and management skills. Graduates from this type of program receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSNc.), and must sit for the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure.

Other Program Options

LPN/LVN to RN

This type of program allows LPNs or LVNs to take additional coursework (both non-nursing and nursing) to achieve an associate degree in nursing (there may also be some LPN to RN  programs where the graduates receive diplomas). Students are generally required to have most non-nursing coursework completed prior to entering the program. Once in the program, students will learn about the difference between LPNs and RNs and how they must change their roles with their newly found knowledge. Basic nursing is generally not covered in this type of program because it is assumed that LPNs and LVNs have prior knowledge. Programs of this nature generally take 12-18 months in addition to the time it takes to achieve LPN or LVN licensure. Upon graduating from this program, graduates must take the NCLEX-RN in order to be licensed as an RN.

Paramedic to RN

This type of program is interesting because it takes someone who is not a nurse (a paramedic, not an EMT) and lets them skip some of the basic nursing courses, or allows them to accelerate through those courses because they do have medical knowledge. Students are usually required to have most non-nursing coursework completed prior to entering the nursing program. Students learn the new role of the RN, which is typically different than that of the paramedic, though both are in the health care field. This type of program generally takes anywhere from 12-18 months to complete, and students usually graduate with an associate degree in nursing. Graduates must sit for the NCLEX-RN to become licensed as an RN.

RN-to-BSN Completion or RN-BSN Program

In order to enter this type of program, the applicant must already be in possession of an RN license, so he or she must have a diploma in nursing or an associate degree in nursing. Students will have additional non-nursing requirements to complete, which can usually be taken along with the nursing courses. These programs generally take 12-24 months to complete. Graduates from this type of program receive a BSN or BNSc., and are NOT required to retake the NCLEX-RN, as they are already licensed. However, students must maintain RN licensure throughout the program. This type of program helps students gain a higher education in nursing to meet personal educational goals or the requirements of the facility where the student works. Students can fully expect to be able to work full time as an RN while completing the requirements of this type of program.

Accelerated Programs

Program curricula and length will vary from state to state, and even within the state (or even the same town, for that matter). Program design is based on a multitude of factors, including the number of faculty employed and the number of clinical slots the program has secured. With that being said, some programs are fortunate to be able to offer accelerated options to their nursing students. Accelerated programs allow nursing students to work through the same curricula in a shorter period of time. That does not mean that curricula is cut out or abbreviated. Students in an accelerated program must complete the exact same requirements as students in the regular program, so they can expect to be very busy. The way programs can achieve this can vary greatly. Some programs require accelerated students to work through the summer months while "regular" students are off during the summer. Other programs may require "stacking" of courses, where "regular" students take one course at a time and accelerated students take multiple courses. Be sure to research this option completely because there are often some financial aid issues involved, and the number of slots available may be limited, and, therefore, competitive.