subject: A Different License for Different Nursing Careers [print this page] There are several licenses required for nursing careers, but the license you choose to get if you enter this career field will depend on what type of nurse you want to become. And this will also ultimately depend on how much schooling you wish to complete before you begin working in the field. The typical schooling options include a diploma from a hospital training program, an Associate of Science in Nursing from a community college or vocational school, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a four-year university and the Master of Science in Nursing, which may be completed after the Bachelor's.
Depending on how far you go in school and what exams you take (and pass), you may become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Nurse Practitioner. Each of these careers has a different license required for it, and each state may also have different licensing requirements, so there are steps you must take to switch states for work. It is possible to use each license as a stepping stone towards further licenses, though, and the nice thing about this option is that you can begin working in the field while you continue your education.
Most registered nurses started out by getting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a traditional four-year university, which includes hands-on experience towards the end, then sitting for the NCLEX-RN exam. It may also be possible to begin with a community college or hospital diploma program and then sit for the exam. Community colleges offer CAN, LVN and LPN programs as well. After getting one of these licenses, it is possible to enter a RN program and use the credits from the previous program towards the more advanced degree, and you can work in a healthcare setting as you study to become a registered nurse.
Once you have some experience as a registered nurse in your chosen area of specialization, then you may opt to complete a Master of Science in Nursing. With this degree you may teach nursing or train to become a Nurse Practitioner, which allows you to perform many of the tasks of a doctor.
