* Registered Nurse (RN): The most common path is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes about two years. However, many pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which takes four years. Some RNs also bridge from an ADN to a BSN after completing their ADN. There are also diploma programs, though these are becoming less common.
* Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN): These roles require completion of a certificate or diploma program, typically taking one to two years. LPNs and LVNs have a more limited scope of practice compared to RNs.
* Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs): This includes roles like Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs). These require a Master's degree (MSN) or, increasingly, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, building on an initial RN education.
In short, the minimum schooling for nursing is one to two years for an LPN/LVN, and two to four years for an RN. Advanced practice roles require significantly more education, usually a Master's or Doctoral degree.