Nursing School

An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) is an entry-level tertiary education nursing degree. In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by community colleges or similar nursing schools. Some four year colleges also offer this degree. Students awarded an Associate of Science in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Some hospital-based nursing schools that granted diplomas altered their curriculum to offer associate degrees.

Many nursing schools offering a bachelor's degree have "fast-track" programs to enable practicing nurses with an associate's degree to earn a bachelor's degree in approximately two years.

Similar degrees

• Associate of Nursing (AN)
• Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN)
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

A Diploma in Nursing or Nursing Diploma is an entry-level tertiary education nursing degree.

In the United States, this type of degree is usually awarded by hospital-based nursing schools. Students awarded a Diploma in Nursing are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

At one time, all nurses in the United States were diploma-prepared. The Cherry Ames series of children's books was created to encourage girls to go into the nursing profession during World War II. She was a "hospital diploma" nurse.

Although the number of hospital-based nursing schools continues to decrease, many still exist. Some require that non-nursing prerequisite courses be completed at another school prior to admission or coordinate their program with classes at a nearby school, though many are still self-contained.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four year academic degree in the science and principles of nursing, granted by a tertiary education university or similarly accredited school. Though one is eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination to become a registered nurse after graduating from either a two year program with an Associate's Degree (ADN) or from a four-year nursing program with a BSN, the BSN prepares nurses for a professional role away from the bedside with coursework in nursing science, research, leadership, and nursing informatics.

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is an advanced-level quaternary education degree for Registered Nurses. It is required to become an advanced practice nurse, such as a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife, or a Clinical nurse leader, and is considered an entry-level degree for nurse educators and managers. It is also a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education.

This graduate-level degree may focus in one or more of many different advanced nursing specialties such as acute care, adult, family, geriatrics, neonatal, palliative care, pediatric, psychiatric, women's health, etc.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP or DrNP) degree is similar to a Doctor of Nursing Science but with an emphasis on clinical practice rather than research, teaching, or theory. See the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Stance on the Doctor of Nursing Practice Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Position Statement from October 2006 provides background information, program listings, frequently asked questions and talking points about the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree . The DNP is more than a leadership role in the discipline of nursing, and for the certified and licensed nurse practitioner, may become the required level of training for practice at that level.

A Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc.) is an advanced-level academic degree in Nursing. When first introduced in the 1970s, the Doctor of Nursing Science was intended to be the "clinical," or practice, based doctorate. However, upon further comparison, the DNSc curriculum was notably similar to that of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which is traditionally a research or education based doctorate. Like the Ph.D., the D.N.Sc. requires writing and defending a dissertation for successful completion and graduation of the program. The Doctor of Nursing Science degree, due in part to its great similarity with the Ph.D. and with the introduction of the DNP, has started being phased out as a doctoral-degree option. For example, the prestigious Yale University School of Nursing, which formerly offered the DNSc, has now begun offering only the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

A master's-level degree is a prerequisite for doctorate-level nursing education. This type of degree is required for advanced practice nursing roles Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Midwife; and is preferred for nurse educators and nurses in leadership positions.

Persons holding a nursing doctorate, whether D.N.P., Ph.D., D.N.Sc., Dr.NP, Ed.D., or the many other doctorates nurses can attain, are not licensed as Physicians. Only those licensed and certified as an Advanced Practice Nurse (i.e., Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse Midwife or Clinical Nurse Specialist) may provide care in the medical arena; i.e. Nurse Practitioners have assumed many roles previously held by physicians. The state of licensure dictates the rules and regulations and these vary greatly. Other roles held by doctorate prepared nurses include nursing education, nursing research, executive and non-executive management, and clinical instruction.

source : wikipedia.com