Nursing degrees and programs
When considering a future nursing career, it’s important to explore the different nursing programs available and the paths they offer. With various options like associate degree programs, bachelor’s degree programs, and direct-entry master’s degree programs, prospective students can choose the educational path that best suits their goals and interests.
Certificate (LPN or LVN)
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program is the fastest way to a nursing career. You could be working as a nurse within a year.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 9–12 months
- Expected salary: $29k–$50k
- Benefits: Learning & varied experience
Bachelor’s Degree (BSN)
If you want to go further, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the best choice. A BSN degree is the stepping stone to many opportunities and top positions.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 4 years
- Expected salary: $45k–$85k
- Benefits: Varied experience, leadership opportuities, earning potential, and chance to grow
Associate’s Degree (ADN or ASN)
An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is a solid foundation that will prepare you to enter the nursing field and advance your career.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 2–4 years
- Expected salary: $53k–$73k
- Benefits: Varied experience and engaging work
Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree (ABSN)
An Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is a shortcut if you have a degree in another field. An ABSN program can put you on the fast track to becoming a nurse.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 11–18 months
- Expected salary: $45k–$85k
- Benefits: Varied experience, leadership opportunities, earning potential, and chance to grow
Master’s Degree (MSN)
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) will open up many opportunities and help you develop new skills. An MSN degree allows you to advance quickly in your career.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 2 years
- Expected salary: $62k–$124k
- Benefits: Leadership opportunities, earning potential, and chance to grow
Doctoral Degree (PhD or DNP)
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD) will take you into new disciplines, such as education, research and management.
Snapshot:
Snapshot:
- Course length: 4–6 years
- Expected salary: $68k–$125k
- Benefits: Leadership opportunities, earning potential, and chance to grow
If you have another bachelor’s degree, nursing programs offer a way that you can go back to school and just complete the science portion, which means fewer classes.
Jamie, MSN, CNM, WHNP-BC
Certified nurse midwife
Nursing specialties
You can become an expert in the areas of nursing that you’re most interested in by earning a nursing certificate in that specialty.
Our commitment to nurses
In alignment with a long-standing commitment to supporting frontline health workers, Johnson & Johnson is proud to continue our legacy of advocating for, elevating and empowering the nursing profession by working with our partners to attract and strengthen an innovative, thriving and diverse nursing workforce, empowered to advance health equity and transform healthcare. We do this through three focus areas:
Champion nursing as an innovative, high-impact, purpose-driven career
Nurses are the backbone and heart of health care, and nursing has been recognized as the most trusted profession in a Gallup poll for over 20 years. Yet we know that the impact of nurses in health care remains undervalued, and the expertise of nurses is underutilized.
That is why Johnson & Johnson is a passionate advocate for elevating awareness of the fundamental value of the nursing profession. See how we support and advocate for the value of the nursing profession with these resources.
That is why Johnson & Johnson is a passionate advocate for elevating awareness of the fundamental value of the nursing profession. See how we support and advocate for the value of the nursing profession with these resources.
Equip nurses with leadership and innovation skills
For healthcare to work, it takes nurses. Nursing burnout, turnover, and vacancy rates especially in acute care and hospital settings continue to be an issue for many health systems. Understanding what kind of work environment is important to nurses is the first step toward addressing the foundational issues that can cause them to leave. Through programs that focus on innovation and leadership skills, we can help support more nurse-led solutions that can transform health systems and create environments where nurses and patients can thrive.
Connect nurses to clinical and educational resources
Whether you are early in your career path and don’t know where to start, or ready to pick a nursing specialty or advance your career, there are several tools, resources, and on-demand programs that can help support you through your career journey while advancing your capabilities to deliver quality patient care.