Nursing Programs, Leadership Degrees & More

Table Of Contents

Modern nursing is built on the bedrock of robust education and training. Accredited degree programs for nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs), and and other nursing careers are offered at the associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral levels; post-graduate certificates are also available for specialized foci. These programs include both didactic and experiential learning that nurses will carry with them deep into their careers. 

Accreditation is of particular importance in the nursing field, ensuring that educational programs adhere to strict standards of excellence, but not all accredited programs are created equal. We’ve included detailed information on the coursework, tuition, faculty, and accreditation status of different nursing programs, so you can find the one that’s right for you.

Pathways

ADN Degree – Associate Degree in Nursing Programs

ADN programs can typically be completed in two years or less, making them an excellent option for those who want to enter the nursing field quickly. Read on to learn more about ADN programs, including program accreditation, admissions, clinical supervision hours requirements, 10 accredited online ADN programs, and career options for ADN graduates.

BSN Degree – Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs

There are many reasons to pursue a BSN degree, and a growing body of research shows higher levels of education correlate with better outcomes for patients, providers, and nursing professionals.

MSN Degree – Master of Science in Nursing Programs

A comprehensive guide featuring online MSN programs, including information about various programs, accreditation, admission requirements, clinical supervision hours, 15 online accredited MSN program profiles, and careers that MSN graduates can pursue.

Dual-Degree MSN-MBA Programs

Healthcare is big business in the United States. The medical and healthcare sector will remain a large portion of the US economy in the coming years. Among the many professions within the healthcare industry, nursing remains a popular one. Dual MSN-MBA degree programs are a good option for nursing professionals who wish to reach upper-level leadership and related positions within the healthcare industry.

DNP Degree – Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs

DNP programs prepare nurses for advanced clinical practice and research roles, and many online DNP programs offer specializations in family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

PhD in Nursing Programs – Doctorate in Nursing

A PhD in nursing provides advanced training for nurses interested in pursuing academic, leadership, and research positions within the healthcare industry. These programs focus on generating new knowledge and promoting evidence-based practice through original research findings in specialized areas such as healthcare administration and public health policy.

NP Certificate Programs – Post-Master’s Certs

With a post-master’s nurse practitioner (NP) certificate, nurses with graduate or doctoral degrees can specialize in an area of nursing, such as women’s health, family care, neonatal, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, and adult-gerontology.

Specializations

Online Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) Programs

An adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with a graduate degree and or post-master’s certificate to provide acute and primary care to patients from adolescence through adulthood. Many online AGNP degree and certificate programs are available at the master’s and doctoral levels, offering unique benefits and advantages to working nurses.

Online Clinical Nurse Leader Programs

A clinical nurse leader is a master’s degree-educated nurse skilled in healthcare across the continuum of care within diverse healthcare settings. CNLs focus on how the larger healthcare institution in which patients receive care ultimately performs. In essence, CNLs monitor and improve the systems that deliver patient care.

Online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Programs

A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who delivers various family-focused healthcare services to patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors.

Online Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) Programs

In addition to physicians, much of the important and complex work that is necessary to ensure the survival of babies at all levels of care is done by neonatal nurse practitioners, a specialized group of nurses who are trained in both the medical knowledge needed to provide this care, as well as in the use of the equipment and processes it requires.

Online Nurse Administration Programs

Nurse administrators are registered nurses who manage and coordinate the day-to-day operations of nursing services within healthcare facilities. They are the ones who hire staff, oversee patient care, manage budgets, and develop policies related to patient care and nurses. A nurse administrator often has leadership roles in organizations and may be called upon to create new standards of practice or evaluate existing services.

Online Nurse Education Programs

The nursing field is an ever-evolving landscape, consistently seeking new contributors to its educational sector. As the demand for nurses continues to increase, the need for nurse educators—professionals responsible for preparing the next generation of nurses—has become more pronounced than ever.

Online Nursing Informatics Programs

This guide delves into the various nursing informatics programs available to aspiring professionals. Explore accredited universities and institutions offering specialized nursing informatics degrees and certifications.

Online Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Programs

A pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) is a graduate- or a doctoral-level nursing program that provides students with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to care for infants, children, and adolescents.

Online Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Programs

Similar to a family nurse practitioner (FNP) who focuses on the physical healthcare needs of individuals and families, a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) focuses on all things related to mental health.

Online Women’s Health & Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Programs

A women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP) is an APRN trained to care for women of diverse ages and health circumstances. WHNP educational programs offer several elements that can appeal to individuals seeking to develop or expand a career in women’s health care.