Nurse training is provided in every kind of postsecondary institution, from small private for-profit schools to huge universities. Vocational and trade schools primarily administer vocational certificate programs, and some also offer associate degrees. Community colleges and technical schools also offer vocational certificates, usually award associate degrees and sometimes also offer bachelor's degrees. Universities and teaching hospitals may award associate degrees, usually award bachelor's degrees and often offer various graduate programs. The choice of school is driven in part by the desired level of education.
There are four basic types of nursing programs: vocational certificate; associate degree; bachelor's degree; and graduate degree or certificate. Each meets a specific need. Vocational programs train licensed practical or vocational nurses, and take only one year. Associate degrees take two years, and are the minimum standard for a registered nurse. Bachelor's degrees ordinarily take four years, and provide a registered nurse with greater advancement potential. Graduate programs train nurses for senior management, advanced forms of clinical practice and academic standing as nurse educators. The choice of degree depends in part on the career path chosen.
Nursing degrees are awarded as a Bachelor of Science, and the first two years of the program give the foundation for the degree. The curriculum will provide a basic set of science courses, presented in conjunction with a corresponding number of nursing-related courses such as nursing theory, pharmacology, anatomy and nutrition. In the third and fourth years, students divide their time between advanced topics in nursing, clinical time, and courses relating to the operation and management of clinical environments.
It is possible to become a registered nurse with only an associate degree, but those with bachelor's degrees have an advantage over their less-educated peers. According to the Bureau of Labor Standards, education is one of the key factors determining a nurse's advancement in the workplace. Nurses with a baccalaureate can also command a higher salary in many cases. For those who wish to become specialized clinical practitioners or educators, a bachelor's degree is the necessary prerequisite to any graduate work.