Vocational certificates and diplomas are awarded for courses in vocational, or practical nursing. These programs are typically delivered in 1 year or less and combine supervised clinical practice with a course load that includes physiology or anatomy, basic pharmacology, psychology and a nurse's administrative responsibilities. After earning their diploma, nurses must pass a national examination and be licensed to practice in their state. The 2009 BLS survey shows licensed practical nurses averaging $39,820 in salary, with top earners exceeding $55,000.
Associate degrees provide a broader education, including humanities and general science courses such as English, mathematics, biology and physics in addition to the nursing-specific course work mentioned previously. A 2-year associate degree program is the minimum requirement for a registered nurse, and some accelerated programs allow licensed vocational nurses/licensed practical nurses to upgrade. Like practical nurses, registered nurses must pass a national examination before they may be licensed to practice. An associate degree equips a registered nurse for entry-level and mid-range positions, which report annual incomes ranging from $43,970 to $63,750 as of 2009.
The first 2 years of a typical baccalaureate program correspond to the requirements for an associate degree, and those who hold the lower degree often apply their credits toward a 4-year program. During the third and fourth year, nursing students acquire additional clinical experience, and their course work will include more advanced nursing topics such as management, legal and regulatory issues or advanced areas of practice. Nurses with bachelor's degrees tend to move more quickly into higher paid and more responsible positions, where annual incomes range from $63,750 to $77,970, according to 2009 data.
The most advanced education in nursing comes in the form of graduate degrees and specialized clinical practice. Nurses with master's degrees, and those qualified in advanced specialties such as obstetrics or gerontology, often hold the most responsible and best-paid positions in clinical settings. Nurses with doctorates have the deepest knowledge of the field and are sought after in academic and research institutions. Senior administrative and management positions are generally reserved for nurses with one of these graduate degrees or the combination of a nursing degree and an MBA. In the 2009 BLS survey, the top 10 percent of registered nurses reported an average annual income of $93,700.