Currently, registered nurse (RN) positions experience high demand. A BSN helps nurses move into specialties, increase their earning potential, and stand out on the job market.
During a BSN program, nursing students strengthen their patient care, health assessment, and leadership skills. Many RN-to-BSN programs admit nurses with a diploma or associate degree in nursing. The best nursing degrees offered online design their curriculum for working nurses. In some programs, students complete practicum requirements at their current workplace.
Our list ranks the best nursing degrees. Prospective nursing students can use the rankings to find the right fit for their schedule, budget, and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing
What degree do you need to be a nurse?
RNs typically hold a nursing diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor's degree in nursing. All three options meet the requirements for an RN license.
How many years does a nursing degree take?
Nurses qualify to enter the field with a two-year degree in nursing. However, BSN nurses who complete a four-year degree or RN-to-BSN program typically earn higher salaries.
What is the highest degree in nursing?
A doctorate represents the highest degree in nursing. DNP nurses work as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nursing professors. Nurses pursue advanced practice roles with master's-level nursing degrees.
Why Get a Degree in Nursing?
Nursing degrees prepare graduates for in-demand, lucrative careers. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections show registered nurses may benefit from more than 275,000 new jobs in 2020-2030. As a well-paying field with opportunities for career advancement and salary increases, nursing degrees offer strong returns on investment.
Today, nursing students choose between in-person and online programs. Online nursing degrees from accredited nursing schools meet the same high academic standards. With a more flexible schedule, online programs appeal to current RNs seeking a BSN. Online nursing programs can also help nurses save money.
Featured Online Bachelor's Programs
Find a program that meets your affordability, flexibility, and education needs through an accredited, online school.
How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost?
The costs of nursing degrees vary depending on the specific programs. Some nursing programs charge as little as $100 per credit, while others charge over $1,000 per credit. On average, nursing degrees cost around $400 per credit.
Prospective nurses often save money by comparing the costs of different nursing degrees. The best nursing degrees offered online may cost less than your local nursing school, for example. Besides tuition, nursing students must consider additional fees and expenses, including any supplies or practicum costs. When comparing programs, ask about the total cost of the degree in addition to the tuition rate.
How Much Do Nursing Majors Make?
Registered nurses earn above-average salaries. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $41,950 for all occupations. In comparison, RNs make a $75,330 median annual salary. The highest-paid RNs earn more than $115,000 per year.
The highest-paid nurses include those working in hospitals or government settings. Ambulatory care, residential care, and nursing home facilities report slightly lower salaries.
Graduate nursing degrees help nurses increase their earning potential. Advanced practice RNs, including nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, report a median salary of $117,670.
Courses in Nursing
During a nursing program, learners strengthen their patient care and assessment skills. Nursing degrees train students how to analyze nursing research and act as a leader in healthcare settings. The best nursing degrees build the theoretical and practical skills necessary for nursing careers.
Besides coursework, nursing students complete practicum hours to gain career-ready skills. Online programs use simulations and in-person clinical placements in students' local areas.
This section introduces courses common to nursing degrees. While each program sets its own curriculum, many include the following options.
Comprehensive Health Assessment
RNs conduct health assessments in many settings. The class prepares nurses to do comprehensive assessments, covering physical as well as mental health. Students learn how to collect and interpret data, communicate health assessment information, and make observations. The course often includes a hands-on practicum.Evidence-Based Practice
Nursing students review current research and discuss the link between research and practice. The course trains learners to evaluate research, critique findings, and develop practices based on nursing research. Participants explore the research process to strengthen their analytical skills. By linking the research process with practice, the class prepares nurses for leadership roles.Nursing Leadership
BSN nurses act as leaders in their healthcare organizations. Classes in nursing leadership strengthen knowledge of the healthcare delivery system, information management, and patient outcomes. Nursing degree-seekers build leadership skills with an emphasis on data-backed approaches. The course prepares nurses for roles like lead nurse or head nurse.
Specializations for Nursing
In the best nursing degrees, students choose a specialization to focus their training. These concentrations prepare nurses for specialties like critical care, cardiac care, pediatrics, oncology, and ambulatory care. By taking courses and completing practicum hours within a specialty, nurses graduate with a focused career path.
Before applying to nursing programs, check the specialization options. Some programs use terms like concentration or track to describe specializations. Even in programs without formal tracks, students often choose electives or practicum settings matching their chosen specialty. This section introduces some common nursing specializations.
Critical Care
Critical care, or intensive care unit (ICU), nurses specialize in treating serious and acute conditions. They work in ICU settings where they assess, treat, and monitor patients. Critical care nurses evaluate incoming patients, provide treatments, and use ICU equipment. They also communicate with patients and their family members.Pediatric Care
Pediatric nurses specialize in caring for children. They treat newborns, infants, young children, and teenagers. A pediatric specialty requires strong communication skills and patience. Pediatric nurses may work in hospital settings or in pediatrician offices. Within pediatrics, they specialize in areas like primary care, emergency pediatrics, and oncology.Ambulatory Care
Ambulatory care nurses work in outpatient care centers, including clinics and urgent care facilities. In this specialty, nurses must quickly assess a patient's condition and take vital signs. Ambulatory care nurses then work closely with physicians to treat injuries or illnesses that do not require a hospital stay.
How to Become a Nurse
RNs enter the field with a nursing diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor's degree in nursing. Each option meets the requirements for a nursing license. RNs can also complete an RN-to-BSN program after becoming a nurse to increase earning potential and get specialized roles.
During a nursing program, learners do clinical rotations to learn about different specialties. RNs then pursue careers in those specialty areas, including pediatric nursing, critical care, emergency care, or oncology. Depending on their career path, nurses may work in hospitals, doctors' offices, or outpatient care centers. In these settings, nurses conduct health assessments, communicate with other healthcare professionals about a patient's needs, and administer treatments.
Licensure for Nurses
RNs must hold a license from their state's board of nursing. To qualify, candidates must complete an approved nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Many states conduct a background check during the licensure process.
Approved nursing programs include community college, university, and hospital programs that train nurses. An associate degree in nursing or a nursing diploma meet the educational requirement. To learn more about the licensure process in your state, visit the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Nurses interested in RN-to-BSN programs generally need an RN license before starting their program. Most programs require a valid, unencumbered RN license to start BSN coursework. BSN nurses with an RN license can add professional certifications to their credentials. Professional associations offer certifications in specialties like emergency care, ambulatory care, and cardiac care.
Best Nursing Degrees
Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs
$14,760100.0BS in Nursing
Topping this list is the University of California at Los Angeles' bachelor of science in nursing program. The degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing. During the program, students complete 180-216 units of coursework, including classes like psychiatric mental health nursing, advanced leadership and role integration, and human responses to critical illness. Aside from classroom work, students can get involved with organizations like Global Action in Nursing, the Foundational for International Medical Relief for Children at UCLA, and Wellness in Nursing.
