Hospitals offer most of the nursing diploma programs, which take about three years to complete. Nursing diploma courses do not fulfill requirements for applying to an associate degree in nursing or bachelor of science in nursing program. However, since some hospitals that offer nursing diploma programs have an affiliation with a community college, students could take courses there that would fulfill the requirements. There are fewer than 100 nursing diploma programs in the United States, compared to hundreds of nursing degree programs.
Some community colleges and four-year colleges offer an associate degree in nursing. It takes from two to three years to complete an ADN degree program, which teaches technical nursing skills and requires courses such as math and science. ADN courses fulfill requirements for applying to a BSN program. Some ADN graduates choose to work in nursing positions for a while and then return to school for a BSN degree.
Some colleges and universities offer a bachelor of science in nursing. It takes from four to five years to complete a BSN degree program, which includes liberal arts courses and courses in subjects such as leadership and communication. Some nursing positions require a BSN, so graduates usually have more opportunities for employment and for advancement than graduates of other nursing programs do. Some hospitals pay nurses according to their education.
To maintain their licenses, every year registered nurses must take continuing education courses accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The ANCC and the National League for Nursing also offer credentialing in specialties such as pediatrics or diabetes management. Credentialing is voluntary in terms of maintaining a license, but an employer might require it. Becoming an advanced practice nurse -- clinical nurse specialist, nurse anesthetist, nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner -- requires at least a master's degree.